Kevin Sinfield announces "toughest challenge yet" in third MND charity run
The Leeds Rhinos legend will run seven ultra marathons in seven days in November
Leeds Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield has announced he'll run seven ultra marathons in seven days in November, as he continues to campaign to raise awareness of motor neurone disease.
It's his third major challenge in three years, as Sinfield continues to support his friend and former team-mate Rob Burrow, who is living with the condition.
The 42-year-old will run from Murrayfield Staidum in Edinburgh to Old Trafford in Manchester, visiting Melrose, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, York, Leeds and Bradford and covering more than 60 kilometres per day.
He will start on Sunday, November 13 and is aiming to arrive at Old Trafford at half-time during the Rugby League World Cup Final the following Saturday.
Burrow is one of several former sportsmen fighting MND, including rugby union's Doddie Weir and Ed Slater and footballer Stephen Darby.
The main beneficiaries of the challenge will be the MND Association and Leeds Hospitals Charity's appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds, while there will also be donations to MND Scotland, My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation and the 4ED campaign.
Sinfield said on therhinos.co.uk: "Undoubtedly this will be the toughest challenge yet. We have tried to combine elements of our two previous events to create the Ultra 7 in 7.
"People living with MND have no choice but to live with their condition every day and they are inspiration for all of us taking part in the challenge. There has been some exciting news in recent days about current drug trials and we can all feel that a breakthrough is close.
"MND is not incurable it has just been underfunded and I have belief that by raising funds we can give the scientists and researchers the best possible opportunity to find that cure. We also need to help those living with MND, to give them hope and love so they know we are with them."
Burrow, who celebrated his 40th birthday on Monday, added: "I've said it many times before, everyone should have a friend like Kevin. I am sure this will be tough and I can't wait to see Kevin and the guys along the way to cheer them on.
"People have already been so generous over the last two years and, as a patron of the MND Association, I would like to say a massive thank you, your support has made the world of difference to so many people. Go safe Kev and please support them as much as you can."