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Leeds Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield insists he is “not Superman” - but admits his latest challenge is the toughest yet.

The former rugby league star will run from Edinburgh to Manchester later this month - completing seven ultra-marathons in seven days - to raise funds for motor neurone disease charities.

It is Sinfield’s third challenge in support of his friend and former Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with the illness in 2019.

‘Sir Kev’ ran seven marathons in seven days in 2020 and covered 101 miles from Leicester to Leeds last autumn, raising millions of pounds in the process.

Kevin Sinfield with Rob Burrow after completing his Extra Mile Challenge of 101 miles in 24 hours from Leicester to Leeds last November. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

The two feats so far have attracted nationwide admiration, with him being hailed as “Superman”.

But Sinfield, who has set a target of £777,777 this time, stressed: “ I am not Superman at all. In my own mind, I am going on a run for a mate with some mates.”

Sinfield will set off from Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on Sunday, November 13 and is due to arrive in Old Trafford at half-time of the men’s World Cup final the following Saturday.

“An ultra-marathon is anything above marathon distance,” Sinfield said. “We will run around 40 miles per day, which is a marathon and a half, each day.

Kevin Sinfield during last year's Extra Mile Challenge. Picture by Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com.

“This will be the toughest one, by a good stretch - and it should be. If we are going to continue to get the awareness we need and the much-needed funds, they have to be more difficult and more challenging.”

Sinfield works full-time as a coach with Leicester Tigers rugby union club. He admitted: “I am looking forward to starting now. The last few months have been brutal, fitting the training in around work and family life.

“It has been a real struggle, but I am in that nice pocket now where I can taper off and get the body for what’s going to come in just over a week’s time.”

The main beneficiaries are the MND Association and Leeds Hospitals Charity’s appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds.

Kevin Sinfield in training. Picture by Simon Hulme.

There will also be donations to MND Scotland, My Name’s Doddie Foundation and Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, plus support for the $ED campaign.

Donations can be made at https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/kevin-sinfield-ultra-7-in-7-challenge

Leeds Rhinos icon Kevin Sinfield says 'I'm not superman' as he prepares to run from Edinburgh to Manchester