This October, two extraordinary ultra runner athletes will lace up their shoes in Sydney and not stop running until
they reach Melbourne, 1,019 kilometres later.
Ultra-marathon runners Sia Kindberg and Matt Knight will take on one of the most demanding endurance
challenges of their careers, running from Sydney to Melbourne between 2 and 22 October 2026 to raise funds
and awareness for Hagar Australia.
Right now, 50 million people are trapped in some form of modern slavery. That’s the highest number ever
recorded in human history. They are hidden in supply chains, locked behind closed doors, exploited in fields
and factories and homes, unseen by most of the world. Hagar sees them.
For 30 years, Hagar has been working across Asia to prevent slavery and walk alongside survivors of
trafficking, exploitation, and abuse. Through trauma-informed care, education, and long-term support, we help
survivors heal, grow, and lead.
Sia and Matt are running to make that work possible for more people.
Sia was born in Bangkok, raised across Thailand, Sweden, Germany, and Greece, and landed in Australia as a
backpacker in 2003, and decided to stay. A single mother of two, interior designer, and speaker of five
languages, Sia is one of this country’s most tenacious endurance athletes.
With more than 50 ultras behind her, she made history in February 2024 as the first Australian to complete the
Ice Ultra - a 230km self-sufficient race across frozen Arctic tundra in temperatures as low as -40°C. She runs
because she believes in doing the things that matter now, not waiting for the right moment.
Matt is a British-born ultra-endurance athlete with close to 80 races under his belt - including the brutal
Marathon des Sables and the Jungle Ultra. He’s also rowed the entire length of the Amazon River across three
countries, raising funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital and other charities along the way.
Every dollar raised goes directly toward Hagar’s programs, supporting survivors to rebuild their lives and break
the cycle of exploitation for good.
Sia and Matt will be running through almost 20 towns and if you would like to share your support,
please refer to the back page for locations, sponsors, donation and social links.
Sia Kindberg and Matt Knight are experienced ultra-endurance athletes with a track record in multi-day and extreme-distance events.
Sia has completed more than 50 ultramarathons. In 2024, she became the first Australian to finish the Ice Ultra, a 230-kilometre self-sufficient race held in Arctic conditions. Alongside her running, she works as an interior designer and is a mother of two.
Matt has competed in approximately 80 endurance races, including the Marathon des Sables and the Jungle Ultra. He has also rowed the length of the Amazon River and previously worked as a firefighter for 13 years.
Both runners bring relevant experience in long-distance, multi-stage challenges, which will be critical to completing the 1,019km route from Sydney to Melbourne.
Every donation goes directly to providing critical services and long-term support to ensure each survivor has the necessary tools and resources to achieve their goals.
$30 - Emergency Support: Help provide immediate assistance and emergency relief to survivors, including access to shelter, food, and clothing during times of crisis.
$100 - Holistic Care: Contribute to a survivor's holistic care, encompassing their physical, emotional, and educational needs, promoting healing and long-term recovery.
$250 - Skills Training: Empower survivors by funding job skills training or vocational programs, equipping them with valuable skills for sustainable employment opportunities.
$500 - Trauma Counselling: Assist survivors in accessing professional trauma counselling services, providing them with critical support to heal from their past experiences and rebuild their lives.
Your donation will make a real difference in the lives of survivors and help us to break this vicious cycle of exploitation and abuse.