Synopsis
The extraordinary memoir of the sporting icon, devoted friend to Rob Burrow, and fundraising hero who has inspired the nation in his fight against MND
WINNER OF THE 2024 SPORTS BESTSELLER AWARD AND OVERALL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR, IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE SUNDAY TIMES
NOW UPDATED WITH TWO BONUS CHAPTERS ON SINFIELD'S LATEST CHALLENGES
THE INSTANT NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER
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‘A very British hero, the unassuming yet utterly superb Kevin Sinfield – rugby league great turned rugby union coach turned charity fundraiser, all while carrying a torch for the true meaning of sport and friendship. The Extra Mile tells how Sinfield set about raising money to combat motor neurone disease, the appalling condition that has gripped his former Leeds Rhinos teammate and best pal, Rob Burrow. If Sinfield weren’t such a modest man, his story could be subtitled, How to Be a Decent Person.’ The Times, Sports Books of the Year, 2023
'If you want inspiring, uplifting and empowering... give this amazing man some of your time' Jake Humphrey
'Kevin Sinfield is adored and respected . . . he is the best of men' Brian Moore, Daily Telegraph
'I've always thought Kevin Sinfield was a hero. His quiet, calm, committed leadership makes people want to support him and we are all doing that as he supports Rob Burrow and everyone living with MND' Clare Balding
'The friendship between Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow gives you faith in humankind' Sir Chris Hoy
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The Extra Mile is no ordinary sports memoir. But Kevin Sinfield is no ordinary sportsman. A one-club legend of Leeds Rhinos, who has now crossed codes as a defence coach for the England national rugby union team, Kevin Sinfield is a rugby icon. But in recent years has shown heroism of a very different kind through his selfless and extraordinary fundraising for motor neurone disease (MND), the terminal illness that has affected his best mate and former teammate Rob Burrow.
Sinfield's epic challenges have included running 7 ultra marathons in 7 days, and running over 101 miles in 24 hours. In the process, Sinfield has captured the hearts of the nation and over £7 million for MND. He was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday honours for his efforts, along with the Freedom of Leeds and a special BBC Award for his fundraising.
Told with Sinfield's characteristic warmth, dry wit and inspirational leadership, The Extra Mile is the story of an astonishing life, of an enduring friendship, of perseverance against the most difficult of challenges, and of a remarkable, humble human being who has defied the odds. The book equips readers with the tools and the mindset to embrace togetherness and to overcome their own challenges. It leaves the reader with the urgent question: Who would you go the extra mile for to help in life?
PRAISE FOR KEVIN SINFIELD
'Inspirational does not do him justice, he's that and much, much more' Matt Dickinson
'Kevin Sinfield is an incredible human being' Gabby Logan
'A total hero' Yvette Cooper
'Britain's greatest sportsman (off the pitch) ... Kevin Sinfield's fundraising is a poignant story of friendship and human endeavour' The Times
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Number 1 Sunday Times bestseller, June 2023
Awarded the Sports Bestseller Award and Overall Sports Book of The Year, at The Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards, in association with The Sunday Times - 6th June, 2024
About the Author
Born in Oldham and known affectionately as 'Sir Kev', Kevin Sinfield retired in 2016 as an idol of the Leeds Rhinos' golden years and as a former England captain. Sinfield won seven Super League titles, three World Cup Challenges and two Challenge Cups in 521 matches for his club. From 2003 he captained a side that exemplified the best of his sport. Sinfield became the first rugby league player to be nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, finishing in second place behind Andy Murray in 2015.
But his career on the pitch is only part of the story. Alongside Sinfield was a small but indomitable scrum-half, Rob Burrow. As Rob's health has tragically declined in recent years due to Motor neurone disease (MND), Sinfield has set himself a series of extraordinary endurance challenges, including running seven ultra marathons in seven days and over 100 miles in a single day, that have raised awareness and millions of pounds for the cause of MND. In the process, Sinfield has won the hearts of a nation and an OBE from the Queen.
Sinfield continues to be a leader on and off the field, through his fundraising and now as defence coach for the England national rugby union team. He is one of the few individuals who has successfully crossed rugby codes. In May 2023, he ran the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds marathon, which he helped to found. Later that year, Sinfield embarked on his hardest endurance challenge yet, running 7 ultra marathons in 7 days, and raising almost £2 million for MND in the process.
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