Kevin Sinfield has spoken about another former rugby league player that he’s completing his upcoming 7 in 7 challenge in memory of.

His latest challenge, titled 7 in 7: Together, will see him again run seven ultra-marathons in seven days across seven different cities in the UK and Ireland with a host of new locations and areas visited.

Speaking to media last week, Sinfield confirmed that new areas had been explored as a reminder that MND knows no boundaries, adding that the best way to show those affected by it that people care is “by turning up ourselves”.

Sinfield and his team will start their journey on Monday 1st December at 08:40, setting off from Bury St Edmunds rugby club. It’s expected that will be covered on BBC Breakfast who have been huge supporters of Sinfield’s efforts. Day one will conclude at Ipswich’s Portman Road Stadium, approximately at 14:55.

Running in seven kilometre stints, in another tribute to rugby league pal Rob Burrow, Sinfield and the team will stop at checkpoints with those locations and estimated times of arrival all listed here, whilst start and finish times and locations are listed below.

Information on Kevin Sinfield’s challenge, including how to donate, can be found here.

When and where will Kevin Sinfield be on latest challenge?

Day One – Bury St Edmunds to Ipswich, Monday 1st December

Starts @ 08:40 from

Bury St Edmunds Rugby – Southgate Green, IP33 2BL

Finishes (estimated) @ 14:55 at Portman Rd, Ipswich IP1 2DA

Day Two – Cork, Tuesday 2nd December

Starts @ 07:40 from Unit 1B University Technology Centre, Curraheen Road, Bishopstown, Cork, T12 PN70

Finishes (estimated) @ 13:31 at The Marina, Ballintemple, Cork

Day Three – Swansea, Wednesday 3rd December

Starts @ 08:40 at Swansea Stadium, Landore, Swansea, SA1 2FA

Finishes (estimated) @ 14:47 at Swansea Stadium, Landore, Swansea, SA1 2FA

Day Four – Sheffield, Thursday 4th December

Starts @ 08:40 at Brammall Lane, Sheffield, S2 4SU

Finishes (estimated) @ 14:46 at Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) is 385a Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HQ

Day Five – Cumbria, Friday 5th December

Starts @ 08:40 at Derwent Park, Workington, CA14 2HG

Finishes (estimated) @ 14:46 @ Recreation Ground, Coach Road, Whitehaven, CA28 9DD

Day Six – Dundee, Saturday 6th December

Starts @ 08:40 at Carnoustie Golf Club, Carnoustie, Angus, DD7 7JF

Finishes (estimated) @ 14:50 at Dundee, Sandeman Street, DD3 7JY (TBC)

Day Seven – Yorkshire, Sunday 7th December

Starts @ 08:40 at Queen Ethelburga’s College, Thorpe Underwood Hall, Thorpe Green Lane, York, YO26 9SS

Finishes (estimated) @ 14:50 at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium, St Michael’s Lane, Leeds, LS6 3BR

Kevin Sinfield names rugby league man to be honoured on day two of marathon challenge

The challenge will return to the Republic Of Ireland this year after visiting Dublin in 2023 and it’s significant for Sinfield and his team because it pays tribute to former rugby league and rugby union man Paul Darbyshire.

The former Warrington Wolves man passed from MND in 2011 when he was part of the coaching team at Munster, but long before then he’d been a rugby league player, making a total of 103 appearances for Wire with his last coming in 1997.

Speaking about Cork and why it is a significant leg of the challenge, Sinfield said: “There was a rugby league guy called Paul Darbyshire who went and worked at Munster rugby club and we sadly lost him through MND and I know that had a real effect on Munster at the time.

“As we know with rugby, forget the code, rugby lads and rugby girls stick together and look after each other in times of need. We see it with the Leinster boys, the Ulster boys, and we’ll see it again the Munster lot.”

Specifically on Darbyshire, he said: “Paul was probably finishing his career just as I was starting mine so we never really crossed paths but I was aware of him as a player and I know how fondly he is thought of in Munster, the guys loved him.

“To be able to keep that going and keep that legacy going in Cork and go celebrate his life and remember him, represent him in the right way. He’d be really proud that league and union have come together again in support of something like this.”

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