It was a clash of turfs at Rosehill after five retired Rugby League stars took over the track on Cox Plate day for a sprint of a different kind.

But far from horsing around, former league stars Phil Sigsworth, Rod Maybon, Josh Stuart and Steve Larder and ex-referee Steve Clark staged a 100m sprint down the straight for a good cause.

The men were racing to raise awareness for the Men of League foundation which supports League players and their families who have fallen on hardship.

Sigsworth staged a commendable sprint to best his former colleagues, but unfortunately in the process, pulled a hamstring.

"I don't think I'll be defending my title next year," Sigsworth said.

"It's been four goes and today I won one finally, but the great thing is, I've retired from continuous sport."

Sigsworth, who had been preparing by jogging and walking the Kokoda Track, said he now had an appreciation for Rosehill's usual track stars.

"It was a different sort of surface but I think I handled the conditions well, and I was very adaptable, so it's all good," he said.

Relaxing post-race, Sigsworth said he was enjoying the day.

"I like a day at the races," he said. "It's a bit like the Marx brothers, a day at the races."