Sir Kevin Sinfield enjoys day at York as he prepares for final MND challenge

Sir Kevin Sinfield enjoyed a day at York races on Friday, where he admitted his gruelling ultra marathon challenges are a “different type of pain” to his rugby league days as he prepares for his seventh and final running effort to raise money for motor neurone disease charities.

Inspired by former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow, who died in 2024 after living with MND for four and a half years, the ‘7 in 7: The Grand Finale’ venture will see Sinfield complete an ultra marathon every day for seven days from September 28.

He will start at defending Betfred Super League champions Hull KR and will take in the other 11 English top-flight rugby league grounds before concluding at Old Trafford in time for the Super League Grand Final on October 5.

Sinfield, who has raised more than £11million for the MND community, has already completed six endurance challenges and was at York on the second day of the Ebor Festival, which saw 17 runners compete in the ‘Sir Kevin Sinfield 7 In 7 Grand Finale Handicap’.

The Lost King, trained by Andrew Balding, took home the £77,310 prize pot and the England rugby union coach was thrilled to have a race named after him in aid of a good cause.

“It’s pretty special, the support wherever we’ve been has been incredible,” he said.

“You know, at times, you’re really overwhelmed by it, but’s it’s great to be here today to have that support once again.

“It’s nice to be back. York has been a really great city for us and the support has been incredible for us.”

When asked how his training compared to 18-year rugby league career, the 45-year-old said: “It’s different, I don’t get hit any more!

“The rugby stuff, that I did for so long, is you’re coping with the contact. This is a different type of pain.”

He added: “We’ve got a wonderful team and I think when you’ve seen the impact, the awareness and the funds that have been raised for the families that are in such need, then we haven’t got time to be tired.

“We’ve got to keep going, we’ve got to keep fighting and keep trying to pull people together to help. I get enough rest, don’t worry.

“I’m in the thick of it and we’re five weeks out on Sunday.”