Story byKevin Sinfield set off from Workington's Fibrus stadium for the fifth leg of his challenge [BBC]Mark MacAlindon; Federica Bedendo; Gemma Sherlock - North East and CumbriaFri, December 5, 2025 at 5:35 PM UTC·3 min readRugby league star Kevin Sinfield has praised Cumbria for its "warm welcome" as he completed his fifth ultramarathon challenge. Hundreds of supporters gathered at Workington's RLFC's Fibrus Stadium to see the star set off, together with Carlisle-born Steve Borthwick, head coach of the England rugby union national team. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe former player is running seven ultramarathons in seven days as part of his 7 in 7 Together Challenge, in memory of former teammate Rob Burrow, who had motor neurone disease (MND). Sinfield, who ended at Whitehaven's rugby league club, said he "takes his hat off" to the people of Cumbria, who came out to support him and the MND community."It's been awesome, people up here are brilliant, you always get a warm welcome whenever you come," he added. Sinfield, who played at the Workington stadium about 20 years ago, described the Cumbria-leg of the challenge "as everything I thought it might be". AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementA fundraising target of £777,777 was hit as he passed through the village of Moresby, with more than £800,000 raised for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and other associated charities so far. Sinfield said it is a "team effort" and "fantastic" to hit the target, but added "it seems to never be enough, they [charities] need more money to research, and find a cure."As well as Borthwick, Gary McKee from Cleator Moor, known locally as the "marathon man", also completed the challenge alongside Sinfield. Gary McKee has previously ran with Sinfield [BBC]He said it was "an honour" to be asked to join the former Leeds Rhinos player through Cumbria. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMr McKee said: "The day has been incredible, there's been lots of smiles, cheers, horns popping, it's been really good."Borthwick said it was wonderful to be back in his home county and described Sinfield as "an inspiration"."The people of Cumbria are wonderful people and so many are here today, coming to start the run off, which is tremendous," he said. Steve Borthwick, originally from Carlisle, ran alongside Sinfield [BBC]Sinfield has raised more than £10m over the last few years for motor neurone disease. Raughton farmer Richard Messenger, who has MND, said the challenge was important not just for raising awareness of the condition but also to fund research. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe told BBC Breakfast: "Research is the crucial element to stop other families suffering the way mine has."He said his local Young Farmers' branch had raised about £60,000 in the last 18 months for the cause. Farmer Richard Messenger banged the drum at the start line in Workington [BBC]Alison Burbury, head of the branch, said: "[Sinfield] is just incredible - the passion and the drive to do such a thing, he's an inspiration to a lot of people."Mr Messenger was at the start line and beat the drum seven times to mark the start of the challenge. The number seven was the shirt number of Rob Burrow, who died in 2024 aged 41. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. More on this storySinfield in Yorkshire for latest MND ultramarathonSinfield finishes day one of ultramarathon challenge.
