A growing legacy powered by rugby
Race to Rugby World Cup has become a powerful tradition ahead of each tournament, bringing together endurance challenges with a global call to support social impact through rugby.
This unique campaign began in 2019 when adventurers Ron Rutland and James Owens cycled more than 20,000 km from London to Tokyo, delivering the match whistle to the opening game of RWC 2019.
In 2022, ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 (playing in 2022), Ron teamed up with Adam Nunn to cycle from Japan to New Zealand, covering a 16,500 km journey across 11 countries. They arrived just in time to hand over the whistle at Eden Park.
The epic ride continued in the lead-up to RWC 2023 in France, reaffirming rugby’s unique power to bring people together for a greater purpose, with hundreds of thousands of dollars raised to support rugby and life skills learning.
Each Race to Rugby World Cup delivers more than a whistle – it delivers a message: that rugby, at its core, is a force for positive change in the world.
Lexi Chambers: racing for impact at RWC 2025
In 2025, Lexi Chambers will lead the next chapter of the Race to Rugby World Cup.
A five-time world record holder, Army veteran, and ChildFund Rugby Ambassador, Lexi is taking on her boldest challenge yet: wheeling 10 ultramarathons in 10 days using a non-sport wheelchair, to deliver the match whistle for the opening game of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in Sunderland.
Her goal is to raise funds and awareness for ChildFund Rugby’s global work, especially the impact it has driven for gender equity, youth leadership, and inclusion.
Funds raised through Lexi’s journey will help ensure more young people, especially girls and young women who face barriers to participating in sport and leadership learning, have the opportunity to play, learn, and lead through rugby.
Every kilometre she wheels is a call to action: to invest in young people, to challenge what’s possible, and to celebrate rugby as a platform for change.
As the countdown to RWC 2025 begins, Lexi is already putting in the work — and so is a global movement powered by rugby. 🌍⚡🏉
Join the movement
You can be part of this journey! Donate today to support ChildFund Rugby’s work and Lexi’s incredible challenge.
You can also support by amplifying Lexi’s message by sharing her story on social media and spreading the word about her incredible challenge.
Stay tuned for opportunities to cheer her on across the journey!
👉 Click here to learn more and support Lexi’s challenge.