Embarking on epic Coast to Country run

Published 12:00pm 25 August 2025

Words by Kylie Knight

Mount Mee State School Acting Principal Luke Forbes will run 100km to raise money for his school and show his students what is possible with hard work, grit and determination.

Mr Forbes’ Coast to Country run is happening on December 6 and will start at 4am from Coolum Beach, finishing at Mount Mee.

“It’s nearly 100km, with over 1000m of elevation gain. It’s all happening in one day, non-stop - except for a few much-needed snack breaks,” he explains.

“The goal is to arrive back at school by sunset. I live in Coolum Beach and commute to Mount Mee every day, which explains the reason for the route.”

Mr Forbes says he has previously completed Ironman triathlons, which include a marathon after a 3.8km swim and 180km bike ride, but has never attempted a 100km run in one day.

“This is by far the biggest challenge I’ve taken on by foot. It will take me about the same time as an Ironman (event). I'm expecting (it to be) about 12 hours,” he says.

His goal is to complete the run and raise $50,000 for his school.

“Every dollar will go directly to buying learning devices like laptops and iPads so that students at Mount Mee have the technology needed to support their learning,” Mr Forbes says.

“Our students live incredible outdoor lifestyles, riding horses and motorbikes, working on farms, playing footy and netball, but digital literacy isn’t a natural part of their daily life.

“That’s why we’re doing this, to bridge that gap and make sure our kids are prepared for the world beyond the mountain.”

He says the school and broader Mount Mee community have rallied to support his efforts.

“Our P&C has helped drive fundraising, local businesses have jumped on board with sponsorship, and even the local rural fire brigade is offering support vehicles on the day,” Mr Forbes says.

“It’s a real team effort, and we’re lucky to have such a tight-knit community. We will still need a lot more support to reach our fundraising goal though.”

Mount Mee State School Acting Principal Luke Forbes with students.

Dual purpose

While fundraising is a key driver for the Coast to Country run, Mr Forbes says he hopes his efforts will have a more lasting impact on his students.

“Honestly, it’s about showing our students that when you commit to something and work hard, you can achieve big things,” he explains.

“I wanted to do something extreme enough to grab attention and inspire belief, in themselves, in their school, and in what’s possible.

“The kids are so excited. They keep asking how far I’ve run each morning and love checking in on my training. It's a bit tricky for the young ones to comprehend how far 100km actually is.

“We have a small oval which only fits a 200m track, so when I told them I had to run 500 laps of the oval their jaws hit the floor.

“They were also very excited to hear that the Rural Fire Brigade will be joining me, bringing the fire trucks as part of the convoy for the last 15km from D'Aguilar. Some students even want to run the last few kilometres with me on the day, which would be pretty special.”

Preparing to succeed

Mr Forbes is following a structured ultra-marathon training program ahead of the run, which also includes riding and swimming.

“The variety seems to keep me stimulated. Running training involves gradually increasing my weekly distance, doing back-to-back long runs on weekends, strength training to keep the injuries away and lots of very early mornings,” he explains.

“My wife is a bit sick of the 3am alarm clock! It’s been tough, but worth it.

“Running 100km in one day will be brutal. There’ll be moments I want to quit, no doubt. But I’ll be thinking about the kids the whole time.

“If I can battle through one tough day to give them better opportunities every day, then it’s all worth it. I love my job and I love making a difference in students’ lives, so I actually feel quite privileged to be in the position I am.

“This run isn’t really about me, it’s about doing something big and meaningful for the kids. We’re a small school, but we punch above our weight.

“If this run helps bring in the resources our students need to thrive, and shows them what’s possible when you commit to something bigger than yourself, then it’s all been worth it.”