Lewis Moody and Princess Anne join Kevin Sinfield for York challenge - as it happened

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Kevin Sinfield has been joined by Princess Anne and Lewis Moody at York University for his challenge to raise awareness in the fight against MND.

Princess Royal jokes with Sir Kevin about joining him on a horse

The Princess Royal joked with Sir Kevin Sinfield that she could accompany his running team on a horse as she joined hundreds of supporters in York on the latest stage of his final endurance event to raise money for motor neurone disease charities.

As the pair chatted, Sir Kevin agreed with the royal visitor that the term “fun run” was a “contradiction”.

Anne said: “I can run but I don’t do it for fun. I’m past that stage.”

Sir Kevin said: “Well, you’re welcome to join at any point”, to which the Princess Royal replied: “I’ll stick with horses.”

Sir Kevin given royal welcome as he arrives in York

If you're just joining us, here's what's been happening today:

The Princess Royal greeted Sir Kevin Sinfield as the rugby legend arrived in York during his latest endurance challenge for motor neurone disease (MND) charities.
Anne welcomed Sir Kevin at the University of York this morning on the second day of his 7 in 7: The Grand Finale challenge, which will see him try to complete an ultra-marathon every day for seven days.
Sir Kevin, who has already raised more than £11 million for MND causes, ran to the university from Shiptonthorpe, near Market Weighton.
This week's challenge is Sir Kevin's seventh endurance venture inspired by former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow, who died in 2024 after living with MND for four-and-a-half years.

Sir Kevin passes York Minster - video

How to donate

Whilst he takes it in his stride, nothing about this challenge is easy and it takes its toll. Your donations and support on the route makes a real difference

Donate https://t.co/2EoEj3nxvt

Tracker https://t.co/YZ3MT6VTNQ

Route https://t.co/BW5q9qPFwL pic.twitter.com/6wd59QfEMd

Thanks for Sarah Smith for sharing this photo of Sir Kevin Sinfield earlier as he ran along Hempland Lane, and crossed Stockton Lane on his way to York Community Stadium.

Hundreds of students line the route

Supporters have been lining the route and cheering on Sir Kevin on his epic challenge as it passes through York today. Among the crowds and spectators were students from Archbishop Holgate's School on Hull Road earlier who cheered as he went past.

(Image: Newsquest)

Sir Kevin Sinfield passing Archbishop Holgate's School. Onlookers have been sharing their photos of the occasion ... (Image: Newsquest)

(Image: Newsquest)

‘It was amazing’ - woman after completing mile with Sir Kevin

A woman whose husband with diagnosed with MND last year said it was “amazing” to see the support for Sir Keivn in York.

Hilary Casey, 65, from Scarborough, ran pushing her husband Bob, 63, around the track at the University of York – and they were even joined by Sir Kevin.

“I was chatting to [Sir Kevin] to say my friends were in the crowd and if I cuddled him it would make them really, really jealous. And he gave us a cuddle!” Hilary said.

“It was amazing,” Hilary said after completing the mile with Sir Kevin “It’s lovely – so uplifting. It’s been an amazing day.”

Bob praised Sir Kevin for keeping MND in the spotlight through his challenges, saying: “It was really good to be involved in things like this because it keeps it in the public eye.”

Bob also said that knowing about Rob Burrow’s MND diagnosis meant he had an understanding of the disease when he was diagnosed.

“It made the diagnosis easier to deal with because I knew so much more about the disease,” Bob said.

Hilary added: “People are getting help quicker now because people are understanding what MND is [because of Sir Kevin’s efforts].”

Hilary said she has supported the MND community since running the first Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in 2023.

She said Bob had been in the crowd watching her complete the race, not knowing that he would be diagnosed with MND two years later.

Hilary and Bob Casey, centre, during the MND challenge on Monday (September 28) at the University of York (Image: Dylan Connell)

Gareth Southgate joins

Former England football manager and defender Sir Gareth Southgate joined Sir Kevin in Market Weighton yesterday for a leg of the run.

Sir Kevin brings ‘hope and love’ for people with MND, says father of man diagnosed with disease

The family of Tom Davies were among those who joined Sir Kevin in running a mile at the University of York during the 7 in 7: The Grand Finale 2026 Challenge.

Tom’s dad, Simon Davies, praised Sir Kevin for the “the hope and love” he brings to people with MND by raising awareness of the disease.

“To make people aware of it is tremendous,” he said.

Tom, from Sheffield, who was diagnosed with MND two years ago aged 29, said he wanted to come to the university to support Sir Kevin.

“I’m happy he puts in so much for effort for people with MND,” Tom said.

Tom Davies being pushed by Alex Ross and companied by his mum Julie Greenwood as the family joins Sir Kevin Sinfield to run a mile at the University of York on Monday (September 28) (Image: Dylan Connell)

Sir Kevin Sinfield arrives in York - in pictures

Sir Kevin Sinfield and his team arrive at the University of York on Monday (September 28) (Image: Dylan Connell)

Sir Kevin Sinfield and Lewis Moody at the University of York on Monday (September 28) (Image: Dylan Connell)

Sir Kevin Sinfield at the University of York on Monday (September 28) (Image: Dylan Connell)

MND community and Princess Royal turns out to greet Sir Kevin in York - in pictures

Alex Ross, Tom Davies, Simon Davies (behind) and Julie Greenwood at the University of York to join Sir Kevin Sinfield on Monday (September 28) (Image: Dylan Connell)

Hilary Casey and Bob Casey before joining Sir Kevin Sinfield during his Grand Finale challenge at the University of York on Monday (September 28) (Image: Dylan Connell)

The Princess Royal speaks to Hilary Casey and Bob Casey at the University of York on Monday (September 28) (Image: Dylan Connell)

The Princess Royal speaks to Tom Davies and his family at the University of York on Monday (September 28) (Image: Dylan Connell)

The Princess Royal and Jo Ropner, Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, greet Sir Kevin Sinfield at the University of York on Monday (September 28) (Image: Dylan Connell)

Crowds line the streets in Market Weighton yesterday

Knighthood

Sir Kevin was knighted in the King's Birthday Honours in June in recognition of his rugby league career and his subsequent fundraising exploits to aid research and support families affected by MND.

Lewis Moody joins Sir Kevin

Lewis Moody has joined Sir Kevin Sinfield for the run. Moody himself, who won the World Cup with England's rugby union side in 2003, was diagnosed with MND eight months ago.

(Image: Mike Egerton/PA)

The route

To find out the full route of where Sir Kevin will be heading in York today, read our full story here.

(Image: Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Princess Anne in attendance

The Princess Royal, Patron of the Motor Neurone Disease Association speaks with Tanya Curry (right), chief executive of MND Association, on day two of Sir Kevin Sinfield's challenge in York.

(Image: Dominic Lipinski/PA)

We have a reporter at the scene as Sir Kevin is joined by former England rugby union international Lewis Moody, who has been diagnosed with MND, and Princess Anne, at the University of York Athletics Track.

Good afternoon, and welcome to this live blog as Sir Kevin Sinfield is in York on day two of his 7 in 7: The Grand Finale 2026 Challenge to raise awareness in the fight against motor neurone disease and to raise money for charity after the passing of his former teammate at Leeds Rhinos, Rob Burrow, in June 2024.