Princess Anne meets Sinfield on day two of MND run

Sir Kevin Sinfield told Princess Anne she was welcome to "join at any point" during his endurance challenge

ByEmily Johnson and Louis ReynoldsYorkshire

Sir Kevin Sinfield was greeted by the Princess Royal on the second day of his final annual endurance challenge raising money for motor neurone disease (MND) charities.

The rugby league legend and fundraiser is aiming to complete seven ultramarathons in seven days, inspired by close friend and former teammate Rob Burrow, who died in 2024 after living with MND for more than four years.

Running between Hull and Manchester, the challenge will see him visit all 12 of the 14 Super League clubs that are based in England before arriving at the Grand Final on Saturday.

On Monday, Sir Kevin was greeted by Princess Anne and crowds of supporters at the University of York's sport centre.

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

Princess Anne said: "I can run but I don't do it for fun. I'm past that stage."

The former Leeds Rhinos player added the princess was welcome to "join at any point", with one of his team members joking nobody had ever joined them for a leg on horseback.

"That would be nice," the royal laughed.

Princess Anne spoke with campaigners and those living with MND during the visit

Responding to a question from the princess about his diet and nutrition for the runs, Sir Kevin said he would let her into his secret about how he was fuelled by bacon butties.

Princess Anne watched as Sir Kevin did four laps of the university's athletics track with supporters, with the royal then hitting a drum seven times to send him back on his way.

She also spoke to people who had come to support the event, including several living with MND.

Sir Kevin and his team have raised more than £11m for the MND community since his first annual challenge in 2020.

The royal visitor banged a drum seven times to send the rugby star back on his way

Jo Coker, from the MND Association charity, said: "The crowds are out, they're cheering him on, the MND community out in force, it is electric.

"Seven years ago, if you talked to somebody about MND most people wouldn't have known what you were talking about.

"That has changed beyond belief to where we are now, where people are so much more aware.

"Every day six people are diagnosed and I think it makes such a huge difference for them as well."

The challenge will see him visit 12 Super League clubs before arriving in Manchester

During the 7 in 7: The Grand Finale challenge, each ultra marathon is split into 7km blocks which must be completed within the hour before beginning the next.

There will also be an "extra mile" event each day, where Sir Kevin joins members of the MND community in completing four laps of a running track.

Sir Kevin was joined by his friend and former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate on the first day of his final challenge.

Monday's leg started at Shiptonthorpe Village Hall and finished at Bishopthorpe Palace, stopping at checkpoints including York Community Stadium and York Racecourse.

Eight bellringers rang York Minster's bells at lunchtime to support Sir Kevin as he ran through the city.

At the finish line, he told supporters: "We've started to see a shift and we will find a cure at some point.

"In the meantime, the care we provide for families with MND has to change and has to get better."

Additional reporting by PA Media.