The Longest Try 2023
Rugby clubs join together in support of people living with motor neurone disease.
In June 2017, Scotland and British & Irish Lions legend Doddie Weir OBE revealed that he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).
Determined to help others living with motor neurone disease and to galvanise further research into the disease, he launched My Name’5 Doddie Foundation with the vision ‘A World Free of MND’.
After a six-year battle with MND, Doddie died, aged 52, having shone a spotlight on the need for research. One of those supporting the drive to find a cure has been England’s defence coach Kevin Sinfield who ran seven ultra-marathons in seven days in aid of MND charities.
Kevin said it was an “ultimate honour” that Doddie was there to help launch his Edinburgh to Manchester run which raised more than £2million, saying “He will always be a champion.”
Band of brothers
Last year’s challenge was also dedicated to other sportsmen with MND described by Sinfield as a “band of brothers” and including Doddie, the former Liverpool and Bolton footballer, Stephen Darby, and former Gloucester and Leicester rugby union player Ed Slater, who has three children with his wife Jo, and was diagnosed aged 34, last July announcing he had MND and confirmed his immediate retirement from rugby union.
The wider rugby community has become increasingly aware of the need to help those living with motor neurone disease and the need to fund research.
And now rugby union clubs nationwide will be able to take part in a charity relay in support of the MND Association, Gloucester Rugby Foundation in the club’s support of Ed Slater, and Wasps Legends Charitable Foundation in their support of Paul Rendall, former England and Wasps FC, who is also living with motor neurone disease.
100 rugby clubs needed
The Longest Try is being launched to make a difference and takes place from 24 July to 12 August 2023.
Over 100 rugby union clubs throughout the country can take part by submitting 15 runners to run one mile each, carrying the ball over 1,700 miles. Kicking off at Twickenham on Monday 24 July, the run heads north to Edinburgh, via Leicester, Newcastle, and Melrose before moving south skirting the Lake District, into Wales, passing through Cardiff into the west country to Cornwall and back to Twickenham Stadium via Exeter and Bracknell.
The try will be scored by a Wasps FC team on Saturday 12 August at the England v Wales World Cup warm-up match.
Rugby union clubs can take part by paying an entry fee, with runners gathering sponsorship for their mile. Funds will also be raised via donations, a silent auction and raffle.
For more information, contact Sue Dorrington, Project lead:
- Email: info@thelongesttry2023.co.uk
- Mobile: 07960 399036
