Sir Kevin Sinfield was greeted by the Princess Royal on the second day of his final annual endurance challenge raising money for motor neurone disease (MND) charities.
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.
Running between Hull and Manchester, the challenge will see him visit all 12 Super League clubs before arriving at the Grand Final on Saturday.
On Monday, Sir Kevin was greeted by Princess Anne and crowds of supporters at the University of York’s sport centre.
As the pair chatted, Sir Kevin agreed with the royal visitor that the term “fun run” was a “contradiction”.
Princess Anne said: “I can run but I don’t do it for fun. I’m past that stage.”
The former Leeds Rhinos player added the princess was welcome to “join at any point”, with one of his team members joking nobody had ever joined them for a leg on horseback.
“That would be nice,” the royal laughed.