Mulgumpin Island (Moreton Island)
Incredibly privileged for the opportunity to visit the island and would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land.
I would also like to congratulate everyone who has attempted, completed and set records for this amazing challenge!
Planning around the tides, weather and obstacles had played a massive part in the success on the day. Starting at 12:41am allowed me to cover a massive portion of the island at lower tides and cooler conditions. Additionally allowing me to successfully pass fallen trees before the tides were a problem. I had also made sure to have a full supply of food and water on my person allowing for less water refills and more direct running.
I had chosen to start at the tangalooma ferry pier and would start my journey heading south aiming for the township Kooringal. Although it was the middle of the night the moon and stars were lighting up the beach and track ahead of me. In this 20km stretch i had passed a few campsites and campers, shipwrecks, big & small sandhills. Then entering the first section of bush trails passing Moreton Bay Oysters before reaching Kooringal. I had decided to drink the contents of my soft flasks and used a public toilet as my one and only refill point. Feeling strong at this point i powered on through the trails towards the most southern point reeders, marking the start on the long east coast beaches.
Starting early allowed me to pass the Mirapool trees and timbers beach trees adequately meaning dry feet! Now around 28kms down ahead was the longest and flattest section aiming for Cape Moreton. The stars and moon still lighting up the way meant i could turn my headtorch off and follow the edge of the ocean. For around 15kms i felt incredibly relaxed, snacking and watching shooting stars and the lighthouse light spin. The headtorch was back on once early morning fisherman and car headlights started to appear. From around the 42km marathon point i had started to feel physically fatigued and being almost half way, brought on some stress mentally. This battle of mind over body continued until sunrise when i was fortunate enough to witness a pod of Humpback whales breaching and leaping only a few kms from the shore.
Reaching the cape and only real hill on the route at 60km was a relief. Despite the uncomfortable running form and slowing pace i was still making good time. This was unknowingly made aware to me by 2 passerby's curious about the challenge and my expectations of the final third of the route. Knowing i was making good time i made my way towards the north point campground. A few small creeks on the eastern side had already claimed my dry feet however the beating sun was well and truly present now around 8 hours in. It was roughly 20' at this point so id started to embrace the upcoming creek crossings and rising tide to cool my feet and legs knowing i was on the back end of the mission.
Reaching the township Buwler at the 75km mark (my previous pr distance) gave me both energy and doubt. However there was no turning back and my only way home was my gf and friend at the Tangalooma resort. Id managed my water and nutrition pretty well throughout the day so kept powering on with a somewhat happy stomach. 5kms later id reached Cowan Cowan which left me with under 20kms to the finish.
At around 82km i could finally see Tangalooms wrecks and resort, providing me with just enough motivation to keep one foot in front of the other. As pleasant this day may have seemed, it was by far my most humbling endurance challenge to date. Putting me in situations mentally and physically id not known prior hence the lack of pictures. (clips and photos also on strava post). The lack of water stops and good tides meant i finished the loop in 87km, 10:26:22.
Still such an incredible day with unforgettable moments, the island is truly special and should be respected and enjoyed. My guts telling me i could do it faster so hopefully my travels allow that in the future.