Yorkshire trainer to open up yard in support of Kevin Sinfield's marathon effort

Craig Lidster's Eboracum Racing Stables in Easingwold near York is set to welcome a different kind of runner on Thursday as rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield will stop off at the training facility during his latest Herculean challenge to raise money and awareness for people affected by motor neurone disease.

Sinfield is running seven ultramarathons in seven days, starting at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on Sunday and finishing at Old Trafford in Manchester the following Saturday, where he will arrive at half-time in the men's Rugby League World Cup final.

The Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge is aiming to raise £777,777, a target inspired by the number seven shirt worn by Sinfield's close friend and former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with MND in December 2019. Sinfield is due to run nearly 40 miles a day and is scheduled to reach Lidster's stables at 12.45pm on day five.

"I got a call from the organisers looking for stop-offs on the way and with Rob Burrow being connected to racing, and obviously Kevin is a fan as well, they thought it would be a good place for them to stop off as we're on the route," said Lidster.

"We've gone the whole hog as we're going to open up the yard from 10.30am and we're trying to get the locals rallied up to come out and support Kevin on his way. Anybody who wants to come along can come down and meet Kevin, he can see the horses here and, hopefully, we can all give him a bit of a spur on.

"A lot of our owners are looking to come out and my wife has emailed all the local schools to let everyone know what's happening too."

Craig Lidster: opening up yard from 10.30am on Thursday

A number of rugby league professionals are owners at Lidster's yard and former England international and current Super League player Luke Gale is among those expected to be on hand to show Sinfield their support.

"We just think it's an absolutely brilliant thing that he's doing, it's crazy the amount of marathons he's doing in a week, so we're all looking forward to him rocking up and giving him a good half an hour here," added Lidster.

"Hopefully, we can get plenty of people here and do our bit to raise awareness too. I think what Kevin's doing is beyond amazing."

The Ultra 7 in 7 is Sinfield’s third challenge in as many years, having previously completed seven marathons in seven days in 2020 before running the 101 miles from the ground of rugby union side Leicester Tigers, where he is defence coach, to Headingley, home of his former team Leeds Rhinos, in under 24 hours.

Kevin Sinfield (right) embraces former teammate Rob Burrow after completing his Extra Mile ChallengeCredit: George Wood

He has raised more than £5 million in support of MND and in January received an OBE for services to rugby league and charity fundraising.

Burrow is one of several former sportsmen fighting MND, along with rugby union players Doddie Weir and Ed Slater and the footballer Stephen Darby.

The main beneficiaries of this latest challenge will be the MND Association and Leeds Hospitals Charity, which will each receive 41 per cent of the money raised. The Leeds Hospitals Charity is looking to raise £5m to build the Rob Burrow Centre to provide specialised support to those diagnosed with MND. Donations will also be made to MND Scotland, My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.

This is not the first instance of the racing community coming out in support of the fight against MND, as the Jedd O'Keeffe-trained Burrows Seven was named after the former Leeds Rhinos star, who won eight Super League championships and two Challenge Cups during his time at Headingley. All profits from the Burrow Seven Racing Club were donated to the MND Association.

Those wishing to donate to the Ultra 7 in 7 cause can do so here.

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