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The Extra Mile: The Inspirational Number One Bestseller

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THE INSTANT, NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER

The extraordinary memoir of the sporting icon, devoted friend and fundraising hero who has inspired the nation in his fight against MND

'An inspirational and life-affirming read. What Kevin Sinfield has achieved on and off the field is truly remarkable. His inspiring leadership and relentless focus on fundraising for MND shows how we should all strive to care more for each other' Gareth Southgate

'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

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 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

327 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 25, 2023

105 people are currently reading
314 people want to read

About the author

Kevin Sinfield

12 books2 followers

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5 stars
648 (58%)
4 stars
325 (29%)
3 stars
108 (9%)
2 stars
20 (1%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
Profile Image for Emma Boulton.
27 reviews
January 2, 2024
Such an inspirational read! I brought my copy at one of Kevin’s book signings, he’s just as friendly in person as he comes across in the book!
I’m running the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in May 2024 (my first marathon), so it was Kevin’s fundraising challenges, and his MND charity work, as well as his magnificent friendship with Rob that I was most interested in reading about. Although I don’t follow rugby, I found Kevin’s insights and explanations of his rugby career fascinating. You don’t need to be a fan of rugby to get a lot out of reading this book!
Profile Image for one9eighty.
133 reviews
July 26, 2023
Nice insight into Sir Kev's life, not just the playing career but his life outside of rugby including his charity work, friendships, and family.
As far as autobiographies go I've read better but this was still entertaining and interesting. I felt the flow of the book ebbed away towards the end - which is in no way a reflection of the man himself, just the way this was written and presented. There were some stories which scratched a surface and didn't delve much deeper which I would have liked but there was a lot to cram in I guess.
This would be easy to pick up for somebody who thinks sports are not for them, it isn't alienating all. Likewise somebody with a sporting background like I have can also pick this up and gleem some joy.
Profile Image for Lesley Lambourne.
147 reviews
June 18, 2023
Five stars awarded, not for the writing style and structure (which was muddled in places) but for the sheer bloody brilliance of his friendship and support for Rob and friendship to the other MND-suffering rugby colleagues.
The tasks he has completed are unimaginable to an amateur sportsman and I read with awe of commitment to running the Ultra 7 whilst effectively on annual leave from Leicester Tigers.
Profile Image for Jamie Bowen.
1,142 reviews33 followers
July 11, 2023
As a rugby league fan I've known about Kevin Sinfield since he started his career, but he has probably come more into mainstream over his ultra running challenges to raise funds for MND and to support his friend Rob Burrow. This is the story of his career and what drives him to challenge himself and support his friend. A great read.
Profile Image for Marmalade .
502 reviews
May 29, 2023
This book deserves 7 stars! Sir Kev is an absolute legend not just for what he's done on the pitch but what he's done off it for his little mate Rob Burrow and everyone else who is fighting the horrible disease that is MND 💙💛
Profile Image for Mandy.
891 reviews24 followers
June 2, 2024
I know nothing about sport, in particular about rugby, but was gifted this book because it is so inspiring, and though I may have skipped some of the rugby chat, wow, it sure is.
39 reviews
July 7, 2023
What would you do for a friend? Marathons on successive days in wind and rain, run 101 miles in a day or seven ultra-marathons in a week? That's what Kevin Sinfield has done for his former teammate Rob Burrow, struck down with MND in December 2019, and he's not finished yet. Both played together for the dominant Leeds Rhino rugby league team in the first 15 years or so of this century.

Despite Sinfield's celebrated career and exceptional feats of endurance, during which he's raised millions of pounds, he doesn't make this book about him and his achievements. He prefers to talk about leadership and what it means to be a friend. With the help of well-known sports journalist Paul Hayward he does that well. He goes through each of runs for Burrow and the MND community, how they came together and what he was thinking about while doing them, but the focus is very much on what they were all about, rather than any personal accomplishments.
259 reviews
June 2, 2024
If everyone had friends like him the world would be a better place. Sadly on the day I finished the book Rob Burrows died. Amazing book highlights kind deads but skims over his sporting achievements so a very humble & generous person a great friend & team mate for those lucky enough for those close to him.
Profile Image for Margaret Williams.
26 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2023
I loved this book ,although I don’t follow rugby I have followed Kevin’s friendship with Rob and his family .it’s amazing what he’s done to raise money for MND .and I’m always close to tears when he is on tv ,doing his walking .a wonderful book
Profile Image for Nigel Ball .
4 reviews
March 23, 2024
Inspiring story of an incredible man, who has pushed his body to the limits and beyond for his friend and ex rugby league team mate Rob Burrows who has a life limiting disease MND. Both sad and inspired in equal measures.
1 review
May 27, 2023
Superb

The world could do with more Kevin Sinfields.A man of his word and one who knows the worth of true friends
204 reviews1 follower
July 4, 2023
An incredible account of friendshi between team mates.
108 reviews1 follower
July 23, 2023
A very moving book, full of emotion.. loved it
Profile Image for Caitlin Scarffe-Brookes.
49 reviews2 followers
October 24, 2023
It is literally impossible not to love this man. Brought back lots of memories of Friday nights under the Headingley lights with my old man❤️
52 reviews
July 2, 2024
Inspiring and uplifting. Amazing man and excellent book - would have given it more than 5☆ if I could
38 reviews
August 11, 2024
Inspirational guy. The rugby league stories/names were lost on me but I'm still glad I read it and can see why he's admired by so many.
56 reviews
September 19, 2024
Excellent, I cried from start to finish. Everyone should have a friend like Kev!
Profile Image for Emma.
109 reviews
November 2, 2024
Outstanding. How could this not be worthy of five stars?
Inspirational and phenomenal.
1 review
February 1, 2025
A truly emotional read, but one I would recommend to anyone. Inspirational.
Profile Image for Ben Swanson.
135 reviews3 followers
July 5, 2024
The only sports book to make me cry multiple times (probably)
Profile Image for Becky (beckyy.readss).
887 reviews1 follower
June 4, 2024
I wanted to read this book because I’m a massive Rugby League fan (Warrington Wolves supporter) since I was ten years old. Kevin Sinfield has always been respected as a player when he was playing even more now because of his fundraising and the marathon’s he has done in the name of his friend, Rob Burrow. For someone who’s always been loyal to one club and is always working to better himself is every other team’s dream. Some people become club heroes and some people become Rugby League’s heroes and the nation’s hero and that’s Kevin. I read this book a few weeks ago, but I hadn’t got time to write the review. Now, it’s bittersweet since Rob has passed away. This book has so much more meaning now.

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 Leicester Tigers, 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)m the terminal illness that has affected his best mate and former teammate Rob Burrow. Kevin’s epic challenges have included running seven marathons in seven days, and running over 101 miles in 24 hours. In the process, Sinfield has captured the heart of the nation and raised nearly £5 million for MND. He was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours for his efforts. This book is told with Kevin’s characteristic warmth, dry wit and inspirational leadership. The Extra Mile is the story of an astonish 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.

I loved this book; I think it was such an easy read. It felt like a long interview that made me laugh, cry, and feel all sort of emotion. I don’t have anything to hate on this book. I think everyone should read this book, even people who don’t know rugby league or Kev personally. It’s so inspirational. I loved reading the 101 miles challenge from Kevin’s point of view, which we had all seen on the news and followed him completely, it put life into view of how far you would go for a mate. I would love to hope that I would go the extra mile for my mate and that someone would go the extra mile for me.

The way he was talking about the day he dreaded of Rob’s passing and then two weeks after reading this, the dreaded day happens, I was in tears. I hope that one day there is a cure for MND and my thoughts go out to Kev’s family and Rob family during this difficult time.

If anyone wants to know how much this friendship meant to Kev, please watch the below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilbaG...
Profile Image for Tracy Wood.
1,280 reviews30 followers
May 23, 2023
Kevin Sinfield was a fan favourite and rugby league superstar who switched codes to become a successful union coach for the Leicester Tigers and England. He was and is close friends with Rob Burrow from their time together at Leeds Rhinos to the present day and through that friendship has become recognised for far more than his sporting career.

When Rob was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease in 2019 it soon became clear Kevin wasn't the type of friend who sat back and did nothing. Meeting with other sports stars suffering from MND he knew he had to do something to bring this currently terminal illness into the spotlight and keep it there.

What he and a small group of friends, along with the wider sporting family, did has changed the landscape for this awful disease. So far he has raised over seven million pounds, ensuring his friend's family will be taken care of as well as enabling scientists to begin serious research into finding a cure and improving the quality of life for many others.

That something was three body-sapping long distance endurance events which would have broken a lesser competitive spirit. With friends, family, the MND community, and BBC Breakfast following his every step, Kevin set goals, targets, and standards for what he expected from those around him and smashed them all. His aim was to provide a future for Rob's family and make governments and the money men be held accountable for broken promises and deafening silences.

A quiet, reserved man he has written a memoir, with help from co-writer, Paul Heyward, which shows a strength of spirit and determination sadly lacking in many in the public gaze. There is a naivety, especially in the first few chapters, which draws you in and you soon realise anyone who knows Kevin or calls him friend can count themselves very fortunate.

This is an easy read carrying a difficult but heartfelt message. I enjoyed it thoroughly, recommend it highly, and salute this giant of a man
Profile Image for Chris Barrett.
67 reviews1 follower
May 30, 2025
Reposted from CB Book Reviews on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKSdmOxNd...

Prior to 2021 I wouldn’t have been able to tell you much about Kevin Sinfield, I might have heard the name, maybe knew he was something to do with Rugby League but that would have been all.

That very quickly changed when in the first third of 2021 he appeared on two of my favourite podcasts. Firstly, HighPerformance (Ep 42) followed by The Good, The Bad & The Rugby. The Good, The Bad & The Rugby is primarily a Rugby Union Podcast, and so for them to go cross-code and invite on someone who at the time was best known for his Rugby League career spoke volumes. On neither podcast did Kevin disappoint. I was delighted when in 2023 he recorded a second High Performance episode (Ep 196).

For those who like me pre-2021 aren’t aware, Kevin Sinfield is a Rugby League Legend winning everything possible as captain of Leeds Rhinos. When his playing career finished he moved into a Director of Rugby role at Leeds Rhinos, before switching code to Rugby Union, first becoming defence coach at Leicester Tigers and then England. He is currently a skills coach and mentor with the England Rugby Union Team. These days Kevin is best known for his work on behalf of the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Community where for the last 5 years he has completed a number of challenges and raised millions of pounds. He has been awarded an MBE and a CBE.

In every occasion that I have experienced Kevin Sinfield he comes across as a very humble, genuine, smart and emotionally intelligent person. The values that he authentically lives and promotes are values that I would aspire to, and his work for the Motor Neurone Disease (MMD) Community is truly inspiring. In all honesty I am not sure why, and feel somewhat ashamed that it has taken me so long to buy and read a book that I was so excited for when I first heard it had been written.

Kevin is all about people and about the team, and this is no clearer than in this book where I felt reflections on his own playing and coaching career were condensed in order to get to the main focus, his incredible work on behalf of the MND Community; mainly in the shape of his fundraising challenges. I feel that this was a shame, having not experienced his playing career and being a fan of both Leicester Tigers and England I was interested to learn more about his experiences in both environments and to learn about the man himself just as much as I was about the experiences of his first three fundraising challenges. I also found that on occasion the book would jump chronologically which may also mean that some readers find it a little more difficult to follow.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Can someone make him officially ‘Sir Kev’ already?
81 reviews1 follower
November 27, 2023
An inspiring read by a remarkable human. The conviction and focus and purpose and endurance of Kevin Sinfield is both simple and profound. His loyalty to his friend is a lesson for all of us. His ability to complete these amazing feats of endurance and athleticism creates a motivation that everything (or many things) are possible if we set our mind to it. Kevin puts team first both in his rugby days and more recently as he has gathered some trusted people to help him help Rob Burrows. As he says, none of this was easy but he was driven by a purpose to beyond himself and he recognised that whatever he did it was "easy" compared to those with MND. This book inspires us all to do better and to be better friends and to achieve higher goals. An easy read with a profound message and inspiration.
Profile Image for Joe Singleton.
228 reviews8 followers
Read
June 24, 2024
I am a Wigan fan but still have a lot of respect for the work that Kev has done, both on and off the rugby pitch. Having read Rob Burrow's book I was looking forward to reading this. Although they are two very different men, one from Lancashire and one from Yorkshire) they both show in their books their love and dedication to sport, and the importance of family and close friends. Both drank, and partied very little, and preferred to spend time with their family and until Rob's MND was made public both had kept their private lives very seperate.
It was interesting to read Kev's progress through rugby league and then onto rugby union and the work involved in, not just completing his challenges, but getting things organised and leading the way.
For any sports fans this is definitely worth a read
Profile Image for James Scaife.
8 reviews
September 6, 2024

Received this book as a Christmas present after running the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds marathon in 2023.

Not a fan of Rugby whatsoever however I enjoyed reading about Kev’s journey into rugby, friendship with Rob and fundraising challenges post retirement.

Particularly interesting chapters focused around winning the treble in 2015, his introduction to running whilst in Australia, first noticing symptoms in Rob and the diagnosis and the 7 in 7 and extra mile challenges. I did find the chapters around the ultra 7 in 7 a bit flat in comparison.

The only flaw was that the writing didn’t always flow that well and was a little disjointed and confusing. Also the sheer number of people acknowledged meant I’d forget who they were and who he was referring to at different points.

Overall a pretty good read and insight into the struggles of the challenges he conquered.

3.5/5
Profile Image for mary hodson.
1 review
September 10, 2023
I started this book not really knowing what to expect. Oh my goodness from start to finish I was emotional. It’s a fabulous read which gives you a look into the world of the Rugby League and what it can do and does for their friend and colleague . What a thoroughly genuine man Kevin Sinfield is and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for all the money he has raised and the awareness of this cruel disease. Great to have an insight also into his childhood and his family life now . And all the way through he is thanking the people around him for helping him to get through the trials he did. I think everyone should read this book and hopefully they will take heed what he says. If we all do just a little bit and are kind the world would be a better place to live in
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews

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