Staff and students welcome Sir Kevin Sinfield to University on epic fundraising challenge
Posted on Tuesday 29 September 2026
The rugby league legend and fundraiser is aiming to complete seven ultramarathons in seven days, inspired by close friend and former teammate Rob Burrow, who died in 2024 after living with MND for more than four years.
Royal visitor
Running between Hull and Manchester, the challenge will see him visit all 12 Super League clubs. On Monday (Sept 28), Sir Kevin was greeted by Princess Anne and crowds of supporters at the University of York's sport centre.
The University’s interim Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ken Badcock, attended the event and greeted the Royal visitor and other dignitaries.
Around 100 people attended from the University community, including sports club members, student media and staff and students, with many taking part in the ‘extra mile’ event.
Sean Sweeney, Professor of Neuroscience at the University and colleague Dr Han-Jou Chen attended as guests of the MND Association.
Professor Sweeney and Dr Chen are both based in the Department of Biology and are undertaking important MNDA and Medical Research Council-funded research on motor neurone disease at the University. Professor Sweeney currently acts as Chair for the MNDA Biological Research Advisory Panel.
Extra mile
Professor Sweeney, who took part in 'the extra mile' event, said: “We do some really important research in neurodegenerative conditions here in York and it is important we continue to build up that critical research mass.
“We're developing the facilities, we have the staff and we have a good research base to really tackle these conditions, particularly motor neurone disease.
“It's always humbling to take part in these events and to see how much Kevin Sinfield is achieving, he is so inspiring.
“It is a real privilege to be part of it and it is a privilege to be involved with the Motor Neurone Disease Association. They are probably the preeminent organisation in the world for motor neurone disease research.
“The money raised is so well looked after, both in terms of supporting patients but critically in supporting the research. They are a really great organisation.”
Community spirit
Princess Anne watched as Sir Kevin did four laps of the University's athletics track with his supporters and then banged a drum seven times to send him on his way.
Sir Kevin told the crowd at the University: “It's great to see a load of orange again. It's the best part of the day for us and the best part of the week. We just get a chance to come together.
“Keep sharing your stories and looking after each other. Sharing, caring and showing love for each other. We've got some wonderful support here today.”
Sir Kevin and his team have raised more than £11 million for the MND community since his first annual challenge in 2020.
Six charities are set to benefit once again from this year’s fundraising – the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland and the Irish MND Association.
Each ultra marathon is split into seven kilometre blocks, which must be completed within the hour before starting the next.
There is also an ‘extra mile’ event every day, when Sir Kevin joins members of the MND community in completing four laps of a running track.
Grand Final
The home grounds of the 12 English Betfred Super League clubs will be visited, before finishing on the pitch at Old Trafford ahead of the Super League Grand Final, where his son Jack will play for Wakefield against Warrington.
Sir Kevin set off from Hull KR’s Craven Park before heading across the city to the MKM Stadium, the home of Hull FC, and out to Market Weighton, with the first day’s event finishing in Shiptonthorpe.
Monday’s leg continued to the LNER Community Stadium, the home of York Knights, as well as York Minster and York racecourse, with the finish at Bishopthorpe Palace, the official residence of the Archbishop of York.
