Sinfield going the extra mile

KEVIN SINFIELD may be ready to discard his running shoes but he has refused to rule out further fundraising exploits as he braces for his biggest challenge yet in aid of research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND) next week.

Starting at Murrayfield tomorrow morning, the former Leeds Rhinos star (inset) will complete seven ultra-marathons in as many days with the intention of arriving on the pitch at half-time in the men’s Rugby League World Cup final at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Having already raised over £5m for MND research after running seven consecutive marathons in 2020, and 101 miles in under 24 hours last year, the 42-year-old had suggested his current challenge might be his last.

But Sinfield said: “I think this will be my last running but there is probably still a bit of a glint in my eye.

“The problem is coming up with something that is more difficult and challenging each year, and there’s so many worthy charities out there so I don’t want people to get sick of it.

“I will still go about trying to raise money and awareness but maybe I’ll do it less publicly, and look to give my knees a bit of a break.”

His latest challenge aims to raise another £777,777, of which the main beneficiary will be the MND Association and Leeds Hospitals Charity’s appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds.

He has already helped launch the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, which will start and finish at Headingley Stadium next May.

Depending on Burrow’s health, Sinfield intends to push his former team-mate around the route.