Sinfield going the extra mile in 24 hour challenge

LEICESTER defence coach Kevin Sinfield is to undertake another mammoth run for Motor Neurone Disease research after raising over £2.7m by completing seven marathons in seven days in 2020.

His original run was inspired by the plight of former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow, who has MND.

Sinfield, 41, plans to run the 101 miles between Welford Road and Headingley in 24 hours. The Extra Mile Challenge will take place on November 22 and an initial target of £100,000 has been set.

The route will be split into 7km sections and Sinfield must complete each one within 60 minutes as the next will start on the hour.

“Undoubtedly this will be the toughest challenge I have ever attempted but I know it will mean so much to so many people if we can reach our fundraising target,” he said.

“In my short time at the Tigers, the people in Leicester have made me feel so welcome and it is wonderful that we have been able to come up with an event that starts in Leicester and finishes with us coming home to Emerald Headingley.”

In September, Burrow was among a delegation of people with MND who visited 10 Downing Street to hand in an open letter urging the government to provide £50m for targeted research over the next five years.

Sinfield, who led Leeds to seven Grand Final triumphs and two Challenge Cup successes during his playing career, is also hoping to enlist five benefactors willing to donate £20,000 each, which will double his initial target.

“The response from the public last year was breathtaking and I know, from feedback we have received from the MND Association, every penny that was raised has been put to good use to help members of the MND community across England and Wales,” he said.

“The more money we can raise, the more people we can help and ultimately find a cure for this cruel disease.”