Why it matters: Sinfield's challenge aims to raise £777,777 for leading Motor Neurone Disease charities, including the Motor Neurone Disease Association, with Monday's route running in tribute to former Ipswich Town striker Marcus Stewart, who was diagnosed with MND in 2022.
The details: Sinfield, 45, started his run from Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club at 08:40 and finished at about 15:00 at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich. The route included a stop at Ipswich School, where hundreds of prep school pupils lined Ivry Street with cheers and banners, before continuing into Christchurch Park where supporters joined him for part of the route.
Large crowds turned out across the town in typical Ipswich fashion, with residents gathering at multiple points along the route to show their support for the cause.
What they're saying: Stefan Long, Mayor of Ipswich called it an "outstanding effort" and wished him luck for the rest of the challenge.
Nick Gregory, head of Ipswich School, said, "Honoured is the right word: a truly remarkable human being; an incredibly important charity; and what an experience for our Ipswich School pupils to see this up-close," while Dan Everitt, UK managing director at Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), called it a "powerful experience that brought together people from across our community in support of the fight against MND."
For context: Sinfield has raised more than £8m for MND charities since his former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow was diagnosed with the condition in 2019. In May 2023, Sinfield pushed Burrow in a wheelchair for the inaugural Rob Burrow Marathon in Leeds before carrying his friend across the finish line. Burrow died from MND in June 2024, aged 41. Both were awarded CBEs in 2024 for their fundraising efforts.
The bottom line: Ipswich showed up in numbers to support MND awareness, with hundreds turning out to support Sinfield's first ultramarathon as he begins his week-long challenge.
