Prince William led praise for Kevin Sinfield as the England and Leeds Rhinos great completed seven ultra-marathons in seven days to raise money and awareness for the MND community.
Sinfield and his team ran an ultra-marathon in seven different regions for a week, starting at Bury and ending at Headingley Stadium, where he and great friend Rob Burrow, who died of MND, played during their careers.
The 2012 Golden Boot winner crossed the finish line in front of thousands of supporters who had gathered in the North and East Stands to cheer him on, including 3,000 Santas who took part in the Leeds 3km fun Santa Dash.
Even a flooded bridge at Cattal could not put Sinfield off his stride as he and fellow runners Chris Stephenson and Dave Spencer had refuse bags taped to their legs before they splashed through the puddles.
"To the MND community and the people we've met on route, all through the last week, all through the past five years, to everybody we've met – it's an absolutely beautiful community," Sinfield said after finishing.
"We've got to keep fighting for the MND community. We have won the battle this week but there is a war to be won."
Sinfield has now helped to raise more than £11m for research and treatment of Motor Neurone Disease in six challenges, including 2023 when he carried Burrow over the finish the line.
He and his team raised more than £1.18m during this week's challenge, beating their target of £777,777.
The money will go towards MND Association, Irish MND Association, My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, MND Scotland, Leeds Hospitals Charity and The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.
The Prince of Wales offered his "huge congratulations" to Sinfield and praised his commitment to Burrow, and others affected by MND as "truly inspiring" in a social media post.
Burrow died last year, at the age of 41, following a four-and-a-half-year battle with MND during which he devoted himself to raising awareness and money for treatment and research.
Prince William opened the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease last month, joining Sinfield and Burrow's three children - Macy, Maya and Jackson - and his widow Lindsey.
"Kevin, huge congratulations on nearing the finish of your incredible 7 in 7 challenge! Your commitment to Rob and everyone affected by MND is truly inspiring. Thank you for shining a light on the need for research and support, and for the hope and example you bring. Look after those knees!," Prince William said.
Sinfield also earned praise from other high profiles athletes and individuals, including former Scotland and Leeds United star Gordon Strachan, Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sheffield United legend Tonie Carroll, Ireland rugby union great Donncha O'Callaghan and England rugby union coach Steve Borthwick.
"I was meeting a hero really. I have watched Kev on the tele but never met him," Strachan said. "What he has done is absolutely incredible, the power of sport on and off the sport is absolutely incredible."
O'Callaghan said: "What Kevin has done on the pitch is unquestionable, but I think the mark of the man is what he has done off it. It's been absolutely incredible to be so selfless and to give back so much for his great friend Rob".
