Sanctuary Runners Australia brings together people of different backgrounds through running, walking, and jogging to foster solidarity, friendship and respect. Free to join and open to all, Sanctuary Runners Australia focuses on building connections between people who have more recently arrived in Australia – as refugees, migrants, people seeking asylum or on temporary visas – and longer-term Australian residents and citizens.
This volunteer and non-political initiative uses sport to break down barriers and enhance community cohesion. The first Sanctuary Runners group was formed in Ireland in 2018 to connect Irish people with people living in nearby accommodation centres for asylum seekers. Today there are more than 40 Sanctuary Runners groups in the Republic of Ireland and groups recently formed in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Netherlands. The first Australian group was formed in Sydney in March 2026 and a group began in Adelaide in August 2026. A short video of our first activity in Sydney can be viewed here.
The objectives of Sanctuary Runners Australia include:
- Building bridges: Creating opportunities for people from different cultural backgrounds to meet and build friendships.
- Promoting a culture of welcome: Providing a space where all who participate – no matter how long they have been in Australia – can feel welcome and can contribute to the welcoming of others.
- Improving well-being: Encouraging physical and mental health through community-based physical activity.
- Creating community belonging: Using the iconic blue Sanctuary Runners shirt to create a visible message of unity between people.
Sanctuary Runners Australia does not aim to be the fastest running team but the friendliest! People of all ages and all levels of fitness – runners and walkers – are welcome to be part of the movement.
Who is supporting Sanctuary Runners Australia?
Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) and Sanctuary Runners in Ireland are working together to support Sanctuary Runners Australia. The formal launch of Sanctuary Runners Australia, held in Sydney in August 2026, was covered on SBS World News. While RCOA is providing administrative support, Sanctuary Runners Australia is a movement of volunteers, open to the involvement of all who support its objectives.
A growing number of Australian organisations are supporting the initiative, promoting Sanctuary Runners Australia to people who have recently arrived in Australia and to others committed to building community cohesion and well-being. In Sydney, these organisations include STARTTS, Core Community Services, Community Migrant Resource Centre, SSI, Australian Assyrian Association, Amnesty International Australia, SydWest Multicultural Services, Australian Afghan Hassanian Youth Association, Kateb Hazara Association and Settlement Council of Australia. In Adelaide, Sanctuary Runners is being supported by Justice for Refugees SA, City of Salisbury SA, Circle of Friends Australia and Intercultural Peace Forum.
Participation in Sanctuary Runners is free and the organisation’s iconic blue shirts are given at no charge to people who want to be part of the movement, to ensure that no one is excluded. People who wish to give financial support to help the movement grow can make tax-deductible donations to Sanctuary Runners Australia through RCOA here.
Support Sanctuary Runners Australia
How can I get involved?
Sanctuary Runners Australia groups are active each week in Sydney, participating in local 5km parkrun events at different venues on Saturday mornings. A group was formed in Adelaide in August 2026. Information on current activities in Sydney and Adelaide can be viewed here.
Supporters have expressed interest in helping to form local Sanctuary Runners groups in several other Australian cities including Hobart, Melbourne, Darwin and Brisbane. Planning to establish new groups has begun.
To get involved in Sanctuary Runners Australia, please register here.
To contact Sanctuary Runners Australia, please email info@sanctuaryrunners.org.au.
