During summer 2026, Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, resident Matthew Hollingham will attempt something almost unimaginable. Over the course of 61 continuous days, with no rest days, he will complete what he calls the world’s furthest A to B triathlon, traveling from the Arctic Circle to Africa across more than 3,500 miles.

Supported by The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, the journey will push the limits of Matthew’s endurance, resilience, and determination. The challenge will begin with a 2-mile extreme cold-water swim across the Arctic Circle. From there, Matthew will run the equivalent of 37 consecutive marathons, covering about 970 miles. He will then transition to a 2,580-mile cycling journey, averaging 112 miles per day until he reaches North Africa.

This remarkable undertaking is about far more than athletic achievement. It is rooted in love, remembrance, and gratitude.

Matthew is doing this because his girlfriend, Lovisa, was killed in a tragic accident in State College, Pennsylvania, in 2023. In the aftermath of that loss, Matthew experienced an extraordinary outpouring of kindness and compassion from the Happy Valley community and beyond. This journey is his way of reflecting that kindness back into the world while honoring Lovisa’s life.

Matthew seeks to turn his grief into something meaningful. He wants to keep Lovisa’s memory alive, help others in her name, and show the perseverance and determination she embodied. Raising money for children’s charities is Matthew’s way of spreading the love and generosity he associates with Lovisa.

This is not the first time Matthew has pushed himself physically to honor Lovisa’s memory. In 2024, he completed “Mt. Neverest” in Lovisa’s name, hiking up and down Mount Nittany 49 times without stopping until he had climbed the equivalent elevation of Mount Everest. The effort took 35.5 hours and raised funds for charity while bringing the Happy Valley community together in support of his mission.

Now, Matthew is preparing for a challenge on an entirely different scale.

Matthew has planned what he calls a “Triathlon from the Arctic Circle to Africa.” This will be an extreme endurance challenge. He will swim 2.36 miles in icy water above the Arctic Circle in Sweden, run a full marathon, 26.2 miles, every day for 37 consecutive days, and then cycle more than 110 miles per day for 23 straight days.

Altogether, he will cover approximately 3,545 miles across multiple countries in roughly two months.

Through this effort, Matthew hopes to raise $250,000 in support of two children’s charities. Donors may choose to support either the Centre County Youth Service Bureau in State College or the international nonprofit Save the Children. The charities were selected so that supporters in the United States can contribute to a local cause while international donors can support a global mission.

The choice of children’s charities also reflects something deeply personal. Lovisa always hoped to become a mother, and Matthew hopes this effort will help children around the world grow, thrive, and experience the opportunities every child deserves.

Those who wish to honor someone they have lost can also contribute in a special way. Donations of more than $1,000 to either charity will dedicate a mile along Matthew’s route to a loved one. Each dedication will be marked on the journey’s map, creating what Matthew hopes will become a powerful visual tribute.

By the end of the journey, the route will represent more than an extraordinary athletic accomplishment. It will form a living map of remembrance and love, while helping provide vital support for children both locally and across the globe.

Matthew is pushing his body and mind to their limits not only to raise money for charity, but to carry forward the kindness, love, and spirit of Lovisa.

For more background on Matthew’s story, read the Penn Stater Magazine feature “The Heart Endures.”

Matthew wrote this blog article a few days after Lovisa’s tragic accident and her passing.

TO DONATE: 

• Centre County Youth Service Bureau (Pennsylvania, USA)
• Save the Children (International)