Kevin Sinfield: Former Leeds Rhinos star sets off to go the extra mile in latest charity challenge

Former Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield's latest challenge is running 101 miles from Leicester Tigers' ground, where he is now defence coach, to Headingley; money raised will be split between the MND Association and Leeds Hospitals Charity

Kevin Sinfield set off on his latest remarkable fundraising challenge with good-luck messages from the world of sport and with his stricken friend Rob Burrow as his inspiration.

The former rugby league international, who is now defence coach at rugby union club Leicester, is running the 101 miles from the Tigers' Mattioli Woods Welford Road ground to Headingley in 24 hours.

The journey, which is being split into seven-kilometre segments, was originally planned to cover 100 miles but the actual distance is 101, with Sinfield once again proving he will always go the extra mile for Burrow, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2019.

Money raised from the run will be divided between the MND Association and the Leeds Hospitals Charity appeal to build a new care centre in Leeds that will bear the name of the former Great Britain No 7.

Former Leeds Rhinos captain Sinfield was given a send-off by the Coldstream Guards and received good-luck messages from Alan Shearer, Ian Wright and Mo Farah as well as Burrow, who aims to be at the finishing line on Tuesday.

The 41-year-old is in regular contact with his old team-mate and Burrow will be in his thoughts throughout the run.

"That's what teams do, we stick together," Sinfield said. "We still look after each other, that's the great thing about rugby.

"I've said it before, when someone is in a bit of bother, a bit of strife, the Batman sign goes up and the group will come, that's probably the strength of that group of players.

"That's rugby, isn't it? Perhaps not all teams have it, but ours did."

In December 2020, Sinfield led a team that raised over £2.7m by running seven marathons in seven days and has already smashed through his initial target of £100,000 for his latest challenge.

As Sinfield set off on his second leg, his giveasyoulive page reached just short of £200,000 in donations and is adamant that, despite a lack of sleep, he will complete the challenge.

"I'm prepared to keep going," Sinfield said. "I don't know how long my knees will hold up, but he's a mate and he'd do it for me."