On a chilly Monday morning in Suffolk, the streets between Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich filled with anticipation and admiration as Kevin Sinfield, the renowned former rugby league star, set off on the first leg of his latest epic endurance challenge. Sinfield’s mission: to run seven ultramarathons in seven days, covering more than 217 miles across the UK and Ireland, all in the name of raising funds and awareness for motor neurone disease (MND) research. This year’s effort, dubbed the "7 in 7: Together" challenge, is as personal as ever, and the stakes feel higher with every mile.
Sinfield’s journey began at The Haberden ground, home of Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club, at precisely 08:40 GMT on December 1, 2025. His route on day one would take him through Woolpit, Rougham, Stowmarket, Needham Market, and Claydon before reaching Ipswich School at 14:15 GMT. There, he would join people living with MND for a one-mile solidarity run before finishing at the iconic Portman Road stadium, home of Ipswich Town Football Club, just before 3:00 PM. Each day of the challenge is dedicated to a local personality who has championed the MND cause, and the Suffolk leg honored none other than Marcus Stewart, the beloved former Ipswich Town striker diagnosed with MND in 2022.
For Sinfield, this challenge is more than just a test of physical endurance. It’s a heartfelt tribute to friends, teammates, and every family touched by MND. His inspiration, as he’s often said, comes from his former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow. Burrow’s diagnosis in 2019 and subsequent passing in June 2024 at age 41 left a profound mark on Sinfield and the rugby community. The number seven, worn by Burrow throughout his career, has become a symbol of hope and determination, woven into every aspect of Sinfield’s fundraising efforts—from the seven marathons in seven days to the ambitious £777,777 fundraising target.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Sinfield reflected on the emotional resonance of the challenge: “For families to share in those moments, when they've spent so much time alone, has been great. They share in walking, running—being pushed, sometimes—over the course of a mile, and that's the best part of the day for us. We stop in different locations and people come out and see us, beep their horns, and come and bring their smiles; the support has been immense.”
This outpouring of support was palpable as Sinfield and his team made their way through Suffolk. At St Mary’s Church in Rougham, schoolchildren and a choir welcomed the runners at the 7km marker. Later, at The Shepherd and Dog pub near Stowmarket, members of the Stowmarket Running Club and Nick Appleby, who lives with MND, offered cheers and encouragement. The route was meticulously planned, balancing safety for participants with opportunities for the public to show their support from the sidelines.
The finish line at Portman Road held special significance. Marcus Stewart, who made his mark at Ipswich Town in the early 2000s by helping secure promotion to the Premier League and finishing as the top flight’s second-highest goalscorer the following season, was there to greet Sinfield. Stewart, who has been candid about the impact of MND on his life—describing how the disease has “slowly taken my independence away”—has become a leading advocate for MND awareness and fundraising. In recent years, he’s partnered with fellow footballer Stephen Darby, also diagnosed with MND, to spearhead initiatives like the "March of the Day" walk, which raised over £250,000 for the Darby Rimmer Foundation in 2024.
Sinfield’s tribute to Stewart was heartfelt: “We chose to finish at Ipswich Town in tribute to our good friend Marcus Stewart. I know how highly Marcus is thought of at Ipswich and it will be brilliant to see Marcus and his wife Lou at the finish line.”
The challenge continues after Suffolk, with Sinfield and his support team heading to Cork, Swansea, Sheffield, Cumbria, Dundee, and finally returning to Leeds on December 7. Each day, the run will honor a different local champion of the MND cause, and each day will feature the now-traditional "extra mile"—a segment where Sinfield is joined by people living with MND and their families. For many, this mile is the most meaningful part of the journey, offering a rare sense of community and visibility for those often isolated by the disease.
Sinfield’s dedication to the cause is matched only by his tenacity. Now 45, he played his entire professional rugby league career with the Leeds Rhinos, becoming one of the most decorated players in Super League history. After hanging up his boots a decade ago, he transitioned to coaching, currently serving as a coach for the England rugby union team. Off the field, his fundraising prowess is legendary—his previous five seven-in-seven marathon challenges have already brought in more than £10 million for MND research and support.
The funds raised from this year’s "7 in 7: Together" challenge will be distributed among six organizations: the MND Association, Leeds Hospital Charity, Irish MND Association, My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, MND Scotland, and the Darby Rimmer Foundation. According to Mike Rogers, director of research innovation at the MND Association, the need for funding is urgent. “During the week of Kevin's challenge alone, another 42 will hear the words, 'You have MND'. Hearing those words is devastating—we don't yet have effective treatments for most people living with MND—but with the money raised from Kevin's challenges we are getting closer. Every single day of this extraordinary challenge counts and every mile matters.”
The impact of Sinfield’s efforts is already evident. Money raised from previous challenges has enabled the MND Association to provide more financial support grants and to establish networks that allow people with MND to participate in vital clinical trials. These advances, while incremental, offer hope to families facing a disease for which there is currently no cure.
This year’s challenge also comes at a time of deep sorrow for the MND community. Just days before Sinfield began his run, the family of 14-year-old Kyle Sieniawski, Britain’s youngest known MND patient, announced his passing. Kyle’s family, from Pontypridd, South Wales, described him as a “beautiful boy” and said, “We’re absolutely heartbroken to announce that our little superhero has very sadly lost his battle with MND. Kyle fought with everything he had but in the end it all became too much for him and he very sadly passed away yesterday evening.”
As Sinfield presses on through the week—running, sweating, and inspiring—he carries with him the memories of friends like Rob Burrow and Kyle Sieniawski, and the hopes of every family affected by MND. The challenge is grueling, but the cause is urgent, and for Sinfield and those who support him, every step brings the world a little closer to hope.
