It has been on Rob Sutton’s list for a long time to run the full length of the East Gippsland Rail Trail and as his 63rd birthday closed in he has finally did it.
This meant running from Bairnsdale to Orbost and returning to the Mississippi Trail to run into Lakes Entrance.
“I am an ultra runner and have completed over 100 ultra marathons,” he said.
“This includes the Coast 2 Kosciuszko three times a distance of 240km, the Coast to Coast in the United Kingdom – 320km four times. I have also run the Great Ocean Walk from Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles, a distance of 100km 13 times.”
Rob has been visiting Lakes Entrance for the past 40 years and sees this area as a hidden treasure.
“People should stop going to Bali and come to Lakes. The rail trail is beautiful, very well maintained and has lots of road crossings if you need support people to get to you,” he said.
It is Rob’s aim to propose the East Gippsland Rail Trail to a couple of race directors in the hope the trail may become the base for an event. He said the main benefit is the trail is off road.
“I could not think of a better location to hold such an event. It maybe could have two sections with Bairnsdale to Lakes Entrance as the shorter alternative or Bairnsdale to Orbost as the longer race,” Rob said.
“I have been amazed and very pleased with the construction and condition of the trail with only the section from Wombat Creek to Newmerella to be groomed. And now that the viaduct is being repaired at Orbost soon will be the perfect opportunity to propose an event on this trail.”
Rob finished running the trail last Friday heading down into Lakes Entrance across the footbridge and wetting his shoes in the surf, before running up to the entrance and back. He began the race at the Bairnsdale Railway Station and finished five days later.
“I ran 43km to Bruces Track on day one. Day two I ran 34km to Partellis Crossing near Wombat Creek. Day three was to Orbost and then back Johnsons Road – 54km. Day four I ran from Johnsons Road through Nowa Nowa to Colquhuon Road for 26km. The last day was down the Mississippi Trail and into Lakes via Ostlers Road and Myer Street, my preferred way. This gave me a great view down into Lakes and up to the footbridge.”
Rob was ably supported by his wife Carla who dropped him off and picked him up at the conclusion of each day and was at the finishing line to support him.
“I am keen on my return to Melbourne to be in contact with some race directors I know and hopefully a big event can happen in the future,” Rob said.
IMAGE: Ultra marathon runner Rob Sutton ran the length of the East Gippsland Rail Trail and Mississippi Trail into Lakes Entrance over the course of five days last week, finishing at Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance’s clubrooms. (PS)
