Sinfield set for new epic 7 in 7 in 7 challenge in support of MND community

A year ago, Sinfield and his team completed a third challenge when, setting off from Scottish Gas Murrayfield, they ran from Edinburgh to Manchester, covering over 40 miles a day for seven days.

There also lies, of course, an emotional link to Doddie Weir, who passed away on 26 November last year, the 61-times capped second row having inspired so many with his indomitable spirit in the face of his own challenges.

Since 2020, Sinfield and his team have raised over £8 million with three endurance events that have captured the public’s imagination, having been inspired by Sinfield’s former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow MBE (pictured in header image).

The latest fundraiser will combine elements from the three previous challenges. The 7 in 7 in 7 Challenge will see Sinfield and his team run an ultra marathon every day for seven days in seven cities around Great Britain and Ireland. Each run will be a marathon with an extra mile to signify the extra mile people can all go to help their friends in tough times.

Starting on Friday 1 December – three years to the day since Sinfield started his first 7 In 7 challenge in 2020 – the team will leave AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium heading to York Minster for their opening leg.

Taking in multiple cities, the team will travel to Cardiff and Birmingham on days two and three, before heading across the border to Edinburgh, crossing the Forth Road Bridge and finishing at Scottish Gas Murrayfield. This will be a poignant moment as not only will it mark the halfway point of the challenge but also evoke memories of seeing Doddie for the last time a year ago as he set Sinfield and the team off at the start of the Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge.

February 2023: Captain Jamie Ritchie with the Doddie Weir Cup after a Guinness Six Nations match between Scotland and Wales, with Doddie’s wife Kathy looking on.

Kevin’s route will then head to Dublin, Brighton and finally London, on Thursday 7 December, running from Twickenham Stadium to the Mall, the traditional finish of the world famous London Marathon.

Commenting on his new challenge, Kevin Sinfield said: “Here we go again! I did say last year that the Ultra 7 in 7 would complete the trilogy but there was always that caveat that Rocky IV was my favourite Rocky film. The MND community have always given us incredible support and we wanted to find a way that we could show that support for more people around the country. I would especially like to thank all the local authorities and councils who have given us their support, it means so much to everyone.

“Physically this will be my toughest challenge as I have not been able to do the amount of training that I have done previously because of my commitments for the World Cup and we have set an ambitious time target to complete each ultra so people know that we will be pushing ourselves to the limit. I am looking forward to it and seeing all the support out on the streets once again. For the MND community, every second counts and we will be making the most of every step on this challenge to raise awareness, funds and support for that community.”

The team are inspired by MND sporting warriors Rob Burrow, Ed Slater, Marcus Stewart, Stephen Darby, Doddie Weir and the 5,000 people living with MND in the UK right now. The initial target is to raise £777,777 from the challenge and supporters can donate or text Kevin10 to 70143  to donate £10 or Kevin20 to the same number to donate £20.