In under 28 hours, Minnamurra local Rob Mason reached Australia’s highest peak in the 240km long Coast to Kosciusko Ultramarathon in early December, earning himself first place.

Always up for a challenge, Rob now has the goal of running across the State in record time.

The annual Ultramarathon, Australia’s premier event in the sport, is a feat on many marathon runners’ bucket lists. Last year was 45 year old Rob’s sixth attempt since he began running ultramarathons in 2008.

Rob and his crew at the starting line in Eden

“Each time I went back to try and do better and improve as a runner, and this year I had an amazing crew with me. It was the best experience of my life and I got to win the race with a sprint finish at the end,” Rob says.

“It was a dream come true for me and one of the happiest moments of my life. To have all of my friends and family with me to share it was extraordinary.”

Starting on the beach in Eden, running through Jindabyne and all the way to Mount Kosciusko at over 2,000 metres above sea level, Rob says all of Australia’s best runners try and win it.

The course

But this mean feat that many dream of is only the start for Rob and his crew as they are gearing up to run 100km a day for 11 days straight in September.

“We are going to run across NSW starting from the border of South Australia, near Broken Hill, to Bondi and we’re going to get the fastest ever time,” Rob says.

“The current record is 14 days and we’re going to beat it.”