Leeds Rhinos’ legend Jamie Peacock letting the music play as he prepares for fresh charity run

THERE was a time when Leeds Rhinos legend Jamie Peacock never listened to music while out running because it distracted him from the purpose of the actual exercise.
RUNNING MAN: Jamie Peacock joins Kevin Sinfield during last month's '7 in 7', running along the track at the new Leeds Beckett Sports facility. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.comRUNNING MAN: Jamie Peacock joins Kevin Sinfield during last month's '7 in 7', running along the track at the new Leeds Beckett Sports facility. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
RUNNING MAN: Jamie Peacock joins Kevin Sinfield during last month's '7 in 7', running along the track at the new Leeds Beckett Sports facility. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

The ex-England captain is out on the road again now as he prepares for an ultra-marathon in aid of sports and mentoring charity Greenhouse Sports on March 5.

However, nowadays, the nine-times Grand Final winner is not quite as tough on himself.

“I’m not quite as hardcore!” Peacock told the YEP.

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“When I’m on a run now I will listen to music or a podcast to do some learning.

“But when I was playing I didn’t listen to anything because listening to music made it easier - and I didn’t want it to be easy.

“No one’s going to play music to you while you’re defending your try-line so why would you play it to yourself on a run?”

London-based Greenhouse Sports is a charity close to Peacock’s heart; it uses a unique combination of mentoring and sport to help young people living in poverty reach their full potential, both at school and then into employment.

Jamie Peacock MBE ran the London Marathon for a second time in memory of his dad Darryl and in support of Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Leeds back in 2019. Picture:Tony Johnson.Jamie Peacock MBE ran the London Marathon for a second time in memory of his dad Darryl and in support of Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Leeds back in 2019. Picture:Tony Johnson.
Jamie Peacock MBE ran the London Marathon for a second time in memory of his dad Darryl and in support of Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Leeds back in 2019. Picture:Tony Johnson.
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Currently there are four million children in the UK living in poverty, and these children’s circumstances are impacted more by Covid-19, with worse mental health outcomes, academic outcomes and employment prospects.

The Green Man Ultra Marathon, which Peacock was due to run, has been postponed as a result of the pandemic.

Nevertheless, the former prop has decided to independently run a 45-mile course around the capital, on a route that will take in one of the venues for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup - Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

Leeds-born Peacock has targeted raising £30,000, which will provide a full-time Greenhouse Sports Coach to a school for a whole year, and the circular route also checks in at a number of the 40 schools it supports in London.

LEGEND: Jamie Peacock in action for Leeds Rhinos against Wakefield Trinity in Super League back in April 2014. Picture: Steve Riding.LEGEND: Jamie Peacock in action for Leeds Rhinos against Wakefield Trinity in Super League back in April 2014. Picture: Steve Riding.
LEGEND: Jamie Peacock in action for Leeds Rhinos against Wakefield Trinity in Super League back in April 2014. Picture: Steve Riding.
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The 43-year-old said: “Given how badly community sports and local and junior sports have been having it lately due to the pandemic, this just seems a great fit.

“Greenhouse is an amazing charity that uses sports coaching and mentoring as a vehicle to engage children, helping them meet friends and develop key life skills. Sport and activity is so important for children and Greenhouse offers quality coaching and support to children from some of the poorest parts of the UK.

“I ran an ultra-marathon in October to help raise funds for Rob Burrow and MND. We managed £50,000 for that but it was 34 miles long and had 3,000m worth of climbs. This one is flatter but we’re going further.

“I’ve always enjoyed the fitness side of training and have remained active and fit (since retirement).

WINNERS: Jamie Peacock, Kevin Sinfield and Kylie Leuluai celebrate with the 2015 Super League Grand Final trophywith the trophy at Old Trafford. 
Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe.WINNERS: Jamie Peacock, Kevin Sinfield and Kylie Leuluai celebrate with the 2015 Super League Grand Final trophywith the trophy at Old Trafford. 
Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe.
WINNERS: Jamie Peacock, Kevin Sinfield and Kylie Leuluai celebrate with the 2015 Super League Grand Final trophywith the trophy at Old Trafford. Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe.
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“Endurance is the type I like the most. I’ve lost a bit of weight - I’m under 100 kgs now compared to 108 when I played - and it’s so important to stay active.”

As part of Rhinos’ commercial department, Peacock knows how testing times have been with no crowds at Headingley since March last year.

Super League is due to kick-off on March 25 and the Challenge Cup holders hope some supporters will be able to attend games again by the summer.

Peacock said: “The support from all the main stakeholders - fans, sponsors - has been awesome over these last 12 months.

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“We want to try and keep the relationship the best we can and that’s just through WhatsApp video messages at the moment. It’s such a shame as we know Emerald Headingley is such a great stadium; it’s ready for big events and a great team to play there.

“I think the team is almost at that point where it’s consistently challenging for silverware.

“We can’t wait to welcome fans back. It’s great watching the games at Headingley but it’s only a spectacle and an event fans are in there watching it with us.”

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