Kevin Sinfield is embarking on another incredible challenge. (Photo: Getty Images)
Kevin Sinfield is preparing for his latest incredible challenge and believes it will be his ‘toughest challenge yet’ – physically and without the support and inspiration of his friends. Rob Burrows.
The 44-year-old is running seven ultramarathons in seven cities in seven days for Running Home. christmas – 7 in 7 challenge.
This is the rugby star’s fifth annual challenge as he continues to raise funds for motor neurone disease research.
Sinfield’s major fundraising effort was prompted by his previous work. Leeds Rhinos team-mate Burrow has been diagnosed with MND, but the challenge starting on Sunday will be the first without Burrow rallying behind his great friend since his tragic death in June this year.
‘Rob was one of the first four and it’s pretty tough not having him this time,’ Sinfield said. ‘I won’t get his nightly text messages and I’ll miss his humor. I miss him every day. But clearly he wants us to continue this fight and it is important that we do so.
‘We’ve lost a great man, but he wouldn’t want us to dwell on this. He would want us to tear this apart and try to do him justice with a smile on our faces. That’s what he’s trying to do.
‘We’ll talk a lot about him, we’ll laugh about him and there’s no doubt he’ll be with us in spirit. I will definitely be thinking of him most steps along this path.
‘This was put together right in the beginning as we were doing some running for our little friend. Things have changed since then, but I will never stray from why it was built.’
Rob Burrow’s motor neurone disease inspired Kevin Sinfield’s fundraising. (Photo: Getty Images)
Ultramarathons range in length from 50km to the longest distance of just over 60km on the second day.
Sinfield has done an amazing job with fundraising so far, but feels it’s becoming increasingly difficult.
“I expect it to be the toughest competition so far,” he said. ‘They don’t get any easier. There is an unknown problem with stopping and starting and I am not getting any younger.
‘The training was brutal. I run all year round, but the last 11 weeks have been really, really hard. They needed to because I couldn’t just stand at the starting line and expect to be able to run it.
Sinfield aims to complete the run at Saddleworth on December 7. (Photo: Getty Images)
‘People sometimes think you’re superhuman, but that’s far from it. You have to work really hard.
‘I hate running. I wasn’t a cross country runner in school. I played interval based sports and have asthma. Putting it all together, I don’t think it’s a very good combination.
‘This is going to be scrap. I think I’ll be nervous and worried about not being able to complete it.’
The challenge starts in Liverpool on Sunday and ends in Saddleworth on Saturday December 7 and takes place in cities across the UK including Belfast, Glasgow and Bristol. You can donate here.
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