WARRINGTON is preparing to give a huge local welcome to rugby league legend Sir Kevin Sinfield when his epic 7 in 7, The Grand Finale challenge comes through the town next Saturday, October 3.
And among those taking part will be five members of Riv’s Runners, who will run Sir Kevin’s Extra Mile as he makes his way through Warrington.
They are encouraging local people to come along, cheer them on and support the final stage of a remarkable seven-year fundraising journey.
Sir Kevin’s seventh and final 7 in 7 challenge is raising awareness and funds for people living with motor neurone disease (MND).
It will see him and his team complete seven ultra-marathons in seven consecutive days, travelling through the rugby league heartlands from Hull to Manchester and visiting all 12 English Super League grounds before the challenge concludes at Old Trafford ahead of the Super League Grand Final.
Warrington plays a starring role
Warrington has a particularly important place in the final day of the challenge.
Sir Kevin and his team will set off from BrewDog Stadium in St Helens, before heading towards Warrington and the Halliwell Jones Stadium, home of Warrington Wolves.
The published route currently gives an approximate arrival at the Halliwell Jones Stadium of 12.17pm, with departure scheduled for 12.45pm.
The route then continues through Padgate, Warburton and towards Manchester, with the team due to reach Old Trafford later that afternoon.
That gives Warrington residents a rare opportunity to see one of the most recognisable figures in modern rugby league taking on the final miles of his extraordinary challenge.
A final 7 in 7 – and a tribute to Rob Burrow
The challenge has its roots in Sir Kevin’s friendship with his former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow, who died from MND in June 2024 aged 41.
Sinfield’s fundraising challenges began in 2020 and have raised more than £15 million across his first six challenges, according to his official website.
The 2026 challenge will benefit six organisations supporting the MND community: the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, Irish MND Association, Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and MND Scotland.
The significance of the final destination is also clear.
Sinfield and Burrow were part of the Leeds Rhinos team that won seven Grand Finals together, while the Super League Grand Final’s Man of the Match trophy is now named the Rob Burrow Trophy.
Despite the enormous distances involved, the challenge has an appropriately symbolic format.
Each day’s ultra-marathon is broken down into 7km blocks, with Sinfield aiming to complete each block within an hour before beginning the next.
An Extra Mile also takes place each day, allowing people affected by MND and supporters to join the team for a mile.
That is where Warrington’s five Riv’s Runners will play their part on October 3.
They are now inviting fellow runners, friends, families and members of the public to come along and cheer them on as they take part in this very special Warrington leg of the challenge
