Mateship defined as Sinfield runs 162km in 24 hours

Kevin Sinfield was once again cheered by a Headingley crowd and his former team-mate Rob Burrow as he completed a gruelling 162km run within 24 hours for motor neurone disease.

A year after running seven marathons in seven days to raise awareness and $5m for the MND Association, Sinfield continued his remarkable charity efforts by completing 101 miles without sleep before being greeted by Burrow as he crossed the finish line.

It was yet another demonstration of their great mateship and a crowd of about 1,000 fans were on hand to cheer the former Leeds and England star, whose "Sir Kev" nickname must surely become official when the Queen next awards knighthoods.

The tally for his latest effort has surpassed $3 million and donations continue to pour in.

Sinfield has been inspired to push his body to the limit by Burrow, a team-mate of 16 years at club and Test level, who was diagnosed with MND in 2019.

"Rob knows how much we love and care about him," Sinfield told BBC Breakfast. "For those really dark moments you have to think of Rob."

The 41-year-old set off from the home ground of Leicester Tigers, where he now coaches, at 8.40am Monday and ran 101 miles to Leeds within 24 hours to complete the "Extra Mile Challenge".

The run was split into 7km sections with each stanza needing to be completed within 60 minutes.

After entering Headingley before 8.30am Tuesday, Sinfield walked to the finish line with Burrow's daughter Macy before embracing his former team-mate and close mate.

"It's been a real team effort from all the crew and I wouldn't have got it done without them," Sinfield said,

"The support along the route has been incredible right from the start. It was certainly a battle - we wanted a battle and we certainly got one.

"I'm broken - I don't know when I'll be able to run again."

Sinfield, who played 18 seasons for Leeds and was awarded with an OBE in June's Queen's Birthday Honours, initially set a target of raising £100,000.

However, donations soared to more than £500,000 by the time he was welcomed to Headingley by 1,000 supporters and the Burrow family.

The donations continued and have now surpassed £1.7m. 

"Thanks so much to all involved with this amazing event," Burrow told the BBC. "The money raised will help people to get great facilities for a new care centre and to help find a cure for MND.

"Today is a an amazing day for the whole community and will benefit every sufferer.

"Lastly, to my amazing friend Kev, you don't realise the impact you have had on me and the whole MND community."

MND affects the brain and nerves and eventually stops muscles functioning.

The money raised will go to MND Association and the Leeds Hospitals Charity to build a new care home in the name of Rob Burrow, who was awarded an MBE in 2020 for his services to rugby league and motor neurone disease.

Soccer great Alan Shearer, world champion boxer Frank Bruno and Olympic cycling gold medallist Chris Hoy were among the sporting identities and Super League stars to express their awe at Sinfield's latest achievement.