On Saturday, 19th July, Simon Dent will lace up his running shoes in Brisbane and begin an extraordinary 1,000km endurance challenge to Sydney in support of Dallaglio RugbyWorks, the youth development charity founded by British & Irish Lions legend and three-time tourist, Lawrence Dallaglio.

The challenge, titled the 2025 Dallaglio RugbyWorks & British and Irish Lions Ultra Endurance Challenge, aims to raise vital funds and awareness for young people excluded from mainstream education.

With around 40 children excluded from school each day in the UK, Simon will honour each child by running 40km or 40 miles every day for 14 consecutive days.

The route will take Simon along Australia’s stunning east coast, passing through Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, and Newcastle, before culminating in Sydney on Saturday, 2nd August.

On his final leg into the city, Dent will be joined by students from Cranbrook School, along with rugby legends, media personalities, and other notable supporters.

Dent will be accompanied on his journey by a host of well-known broadcasters, elite runners, and former rugby internationals, all rallying behind the cause to give excluded youth a second chance.

To kick off the campaign, a 5km community “shakeout run” will be held on Friday, 18th July in Brisbane. Locals and supporters are encouraged to join Simon and show their support ahead of his epic journey.

Dallaglio RugbyWorks harnesses the core values of rugby—teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline, and sportsmanship—to equip young people with the life skills and opportunities they need to re-engage with education or find meaningful employment and training pathways.

For donations, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/ultra-endurance-challenge

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