Kevin Sinfield completes the final leg of his 7 in 7: Together challenge
The rugby league legend set off from York at 08:40 GMT and arrived in north Leeds, taking part in a Santa Dash at Leeds Beckett University
The challenge has raised more than £1.15m for motor neurone disease charities so far and ended at AMT Headingley Stadium shortly after 15:00 GMT.
Thank you for following our live coverage of Kevin Sinfield's seventh ultramarathon in seven days.
He smashed his fundraising target of £777,777 and the current total stands at £1.15m, which will be donated to six MND charities.
Time for a well-earned rest for Kevin and his support crew.
During the week-long challenge, Sinfield was joined by a support crew who are all celebrating with him at Headingley Stadium.
Image source, BBC/Steve JonesSpeaking to the gathered crowd at Headingley Stadium, Sinfield thanks supporters.
He says: “To the MND Community and the people we’ve met on route, all through the last week, all through the past five years, to everybody we’ve met – you're an absolutely beautiful community.
“We’ve got to keep fighting for the MND Community.”
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire
After nearly 300km (185 miles), Sinfield and team have finally made it back to Headingley Stadium.
Hundreds of people have gathered in the North and West stands to see Sinfield cross the finish line.
Image source, PA MediaSinfield has been joined by triathlete Jonny Brownlee and boxer Josh Warrington as he finishes the final few kilometres.
We're expecting him at the finish line at any moment.
Steve Jones
Leeds Rhino fans Tim and Shirley Nicholson are waiting at the finish line in Headingley to support Sinfield.
Shirley says: “I don’t think words can say how much Kev has done.
“The centre that they’ve opened creates a special place and I admired Rob before as a rugby player and I admired him once he got MND.”
Tim says: “I don’t know how he does it. I struggle to walk never mind run.”
Sinfield and team have joined the Santas on the start line at Leeds Beckett University.
After 26 miles (42km), they have just 3km left before they reach Leeds Rhinos’ home Headingley Stadium.
Alice Elizabeth Toon
Image source, BBC/Alice ToonAs the Santas are readying themselves on the start line, Catherine, Helen and Chloe say they are running “just for the fun of it”.
“We’re feeling a bit daft dressed up but looking forward to it.
“We quite like Kev Sinfield – supporting him, seeing him, I’ve run a few marathons for him.
We’re immensely proud of him, he smashes it every year. I don’t know how he does it, I couldn’t, but it’s great to see everything he does for the MND Association.
“We can’t wait to finish it with him.”
Michelle Lyons, BBC Look North
The weather has taken a turn for the worse, it's miserable and overcast with a constant drizzle. But the Santa's have started arriving for the 3km Santa Dash starting at Leeds Beckett University at 14:00.
Organisers say more than 2,000 people have entered the run, which marks the final leg of Sinfield's 2025 MND fundraising challenge.
More than 2,000 people are expected to join Sinfield for the Leeds Santa Dash today.
Becky Major from Run For All, which manages the event, says it will be a “great celebration and community effort”.
The route starts at Leeds Beckett University before heading along Church Wood Avenue and on to Otley Road, before turning left and finishing at Headingley Stadium.
Otley Road, Headingley Lane and Cardigan Road will be closed from 13:15 to 15:00. There are also parking suspensions in place from 12:00 to 15:00 on Bainbrigge Road and St Michael’s Lane.
Image source, Peter Byrne/PA WireSinfield kicked of his fifth fundraiser at Liverpool's Santa Dash last year
Michelle Lyons, BBC Look North
With an uplifting message for members of the MND community and seven bangs on the drum, Sinfield has set off on the next leg of the race, leaving Linton.
Image source, BBC/Michelle Lyons
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA WireSinfield left Linton at 11:40
Former Leeds Rhinos star Kevin Sinfield is running seven ultramarathons in seven days to raise money for motor neurone disease (MND) charities.
The final leg started this morning in York and will end just before 15:00 GMT at AMT Headingley Stadium - where Sinfield and Rob Burrow, who died of MND, played during their careers.
The runners will take part in a Santa Dash event at Leeds Beckett University before arriving at the finish line.
It's the first time Sinfield and his team have visited Leeds since Burrow's death in June 2024.
Sinfield says: "We have committed to doing seven annual challenges, as most people know the number seven is special to us because it is the number Rob wore.
"There are so many special memories from the previous challenges when people are so grateful that we have come to their village, town or city.
"With this penultimate challenge we wanted to continue that theme.
"The logistics around getting to each region in the timescale is part of our challenge but it is worth it when we receive such a warm welcome."
Michelle Lyons, BBC Look North
I am in Linton where Sinfield has arrived at his second checkpoint of today’s race. About 500 people have come out to cheer him on.
There is a huge crowd. They’ve all gathered to see Kev at the village hall where he arrived at 11:10.
A brass band is playing a joyous Christmas carol in the background.
He's arrived to cheers and a huge turnout.
He’s gone inside to have a cup of tea, have a rest to regather with his team before setting off again for the next leg.
Image source, BBC/Michelle Lyons
Image source, BBC/Michelle LyonsSinfield has already run nearly 190 miles across the UK and Ireland as part of this challenge.
He began on 1 December in East Anglia, running from Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club to Portman Road stadium in Ipswich.
On the second day, the team headed to Cork, Ireland, in honour of RTE broadcaster Charlie Bird who passed away from MND in 2024.
Day three saw the team circuit Swansea. While on day four Sinfield returned to Yorkshire, starting at Bramall Lane in Sheffield before finishing at Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), a world-leading MND research centre.
The team ran from Workington to Whitehaven in Cumbria on day five, and yesterday headed to Scotland, running from Carnoustie Golf Club into Dundee, before finishing on the pitch before kick-off of at Dundee FC’s Dens Park stadium.
Image source, PA MediaSinfield finished the first day of the challenge alongside Marcus Stewart at Portman Road, home of Ipswich Town
Image source, Richard Sellers/PA WireRob Burrow after Leeds Rhinos won their eighth Super League title in 2017
Sinfield is reflecting on his friendship with former teammate Rob Burrow and their time together at Headingley, where the race will end today.
He says: “To sit next to Rob for 15 years in a dressing room was special.
“The great thing about rugby is friendships continue long after the game has finished.
“Sport does wonderful things but rugby does it like nothing else, the dressing rooms are so special and sacred.”
Sinfield began his fundraising for MND charities after Burrow was diagnosed with the disease.
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA WireAs Sinfield and the team hit Cattal in North Yorkshire, they don bin bags to brave the puddles.
Rain is forecast across the region today, but the crowd’s support will keep the team bright as they travel towards home.
Image source, PA MediaSinfield and the team have passed through the village of Green Hammerton and are well on their way to Wetherby now.
The team are expected to run through the town centre before reaching Linton Memorial Hall at about 11:15 GMT.
Image source, Getty ImagesRob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield gave The Prince of Wales a tour around Headingley Stadium in 2024
The Prince of Wales offered "huge congratulations" to Sinfield on social media yesterday, describing the former rugby league star's bid to run seven ultramarathons in seven days as "incredible".
Writing on the Prince and Princess of Wales social media accounts, Prince William urged Sinfield to “look after those knees!”
He wrote: “Your commitment to Rob and everyone affected by MND is truly inspiring. Thank you for shining a light on the need for research and support, and for the hope and example you bring.”
Prince William made both Sinfield and Burrow Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBEs) at the Rhinos' Headingley Stadium in January 2024.
The prince opened the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease - the first purpose-built facility dedicated entirely to MND care, research, education and holistic support - last month.
Image source, PA MediaKevin Sinfield in Swansea for the third day of the challenge
Kevin Sinfield left York at 8:40 GMT from Queen Ethelburga's College.
The 7km point is The Victoria in the village of Cattal at 09:13 GMT. He will earlier have passed through Green Hammerton.
The runners will go through Linton just after 11:00 GMT and then arrive in Leeds at Moortown. Other stops are Wetherby, East Rigton and Bardsey.
At 14:16 GMT, they will arrive at Leeds Beckett University's athletics track for the Extra Mile event.
Just before 15:00 GMT they will finish at AMT Headingley Stadium.
