South Coast Track - Tasmania

[stugibson]

On 30th May 2015 Stu Gibson ran the complete South Coast track (South West Tasmania) in 9hrs 5mins (Melaleuca to Cockle Creek). This attempt was solo and unsupported, in somewhat rather winter conditions. It was also independently verified using a live spot tracker GPS during the run.

[Sceptic]

well Id like to see the Spot trace, cause maintaining a 10kph average over this trail that includes the Ironbound range descent etc, is VERY hard to believe !!

[Peter Bakwin]

I had a PM from Matt Thornton indicating that he tracked Gibson's run using the live Spot Tracker used for his South Coast track run 30th May 2015. He says "I can confirm his time of 9hrs 5min is correct and additionally verified by a few walkers on the trail at the time." Unless saved, the Spot tracks disappear after some time. I encourage everyone to (1) Make their tracks public during or immediately after the event, (2) Save the tracks, (3) Post here all verification information, including testimonials from any observers. Standard procedure would be to do these things as soon as possible after the run. If this it not done questions may naturally arise, as here.

That said, note that Gibson is a very accomplished ultra athlete, with top finishes in many races including a 9h31m win at 2014 TNF100km in the Blue Mtns (i.e., faster pace than this 85km effort).

[matthornton]

Feb 19, 2017 7:12:01 GMT -5 Sceptic said:

well Id like to see the Spot trace, cause maintaining a 10kph average over this trail that includes the Ironbound range descent etc, is VERY hard to believe !!

Hi

My name is Matt Thornton and I (along with a few others) tracked Stu live on the Spot tracker page during his run on May 2015, additionally, verified by a few walkers on the trail at the time. (Rachael Sears & Brian Martin – contact details provided & available).


Firstly, I can confirm Stu ran 9hrs 5mins for the SCT 30th May 2015.

Secondly, the overall average pace of the run was 9 kph, not 10 kph, as you note.


Reviewing the data and the specific section of the trail you refer too (Ironbound - Louisa River to Little Deadman’s Bay), the average pace was 6.1 kph.

I have attached a his split times below.


As you won’t see YouTube videos, self-promoting blogs, media reports and Facebook charity pages of Stu running, I will take this opportunity to provide some context to his run on the South Coast Track, it’s perhaps worth noting the 5 or 6-month lead-up,


• Nov 2014 – Runs Triple Top mountain run, wins taking 2 mins off the 16yrs old course record. (Stu & John McKenna remain the only 2 people to run sub 2hrs)

• Dec 2014 – 4 weeks training at altitude in Falls Creek in preparation for B2H

• Jan 2015 – B2H is cancelled due to weather event.

• Jan 31st 2015 – Runs South Coast Track in 10hrs 20mins (just outside fastest known time, at that point - verified using spot tracker)

• Feb 7th 2015 – Runs Cradle Mountain Run, wins in sub 8hrs (overland track).

• March 14th 2015 – Runs 6-foot track marathon race. Wins in course record time in first attempt. (Stu & Ben Artup remain the only 2 people to run sub 3:20 for the 6-foot track)

• March 21st 2015 – Runs the Western Arthurs Range in 10hrs 40mins, taking +1hr off the fastest known time. (verified using spot tracker & several walkers out on the range)

• April 18th 2015 – Runs South Coast Track in 9hrs 40mins (verified using spot tracker)

• May 30th 2015 – Runs the South Coast Track (for the 3rd time inside 4 months), in a time of 9hrs 5mins. Verified using spot tracker & walkers on trail.


Matt

[e-mail]

M: 0457 061 700


30/05/2015 Distance (km) Split (time)

Melaleuca 0 0

Point Eric 10.4km  50mins

Louisa Creek 30.1km  2hrs 10mins

Little Deadman’s bay 42.6km  4hrs 12mins

Prion Beach/New River outlet 52.2km 5hrs 2mins

Surprise Bay 61.1km  6hrs 7mins

Granite Beach 64.3km  6hrs 35mins

South Cape Rivulet 73.1km  8hrs 3mins

Cockle Creek 83.9km  9hrs 5mins

[Richard Fairbrother]

Feb 19, 2017 7:12:01 GMT -5 Sceptic said:

well Id like to see the Spot trace, cause maintaining a 10kph average over this trail that includes the Ironbound range descent etc, is VERY hard to believe !!

Hi

I also followed Stuart on the attached spot link below during his South Coast Run.


I can verify that he ran 9:05 hrs for the South Coast Track on 30/05/2015.


Richard

Hi

Please see web link below to my Spot Satellite GPS tracker share page. (the Spot tracker will automatically send out position data every 10 mins or so)

The page & device should be activated (live) just before 6am (around 5:50am) on Saturday 30th May


The current weather window is looking OK for Saturday, so I plan to start running at 6am sharp (Sat 30th May) from Melaleuca Air strip heading south on the SCT toward Cox Bight (refer attached map). Total distance to Cockle Creek ~83-85kms.


share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=02J0S5qRF1uX0aj6KqpFPxX2tNvBoBp60

Cheers

Stu