Dandenong Ranges resident and Bell Real Estate director, Elliot Bell, has been pushing his limits for months, preparing for the epic Grampians Peak Trail (GPT) 100 Mile, held from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 November.
Mr Bell will be attempting to run 162km through the Grampians National Park, climbing a staggering 7700 metres along the way.
The run isn’t just about testing his own limits, it’s a way to raise funds and awareness for the Dandenong Ranges Mountain Men, an initiative that supports men’s connection and wellbeing.
“I’m always looking for ways to challenge myself, and this run scared me witless so it was perfect,” Mr Bell said.
Mr Bell has been training five to six days a week for most of the year, building on his experience in marathons and ultra runs, including three marathons (one DNF), the Rollercoaster Ultra 46k, and the Buffalo Stampede 100k earlier this year, which he said was the perfect lead-up to the Grampians Peak Trail 100 Miler.
He said he’s drawn to Mountain Men because of their commitment to creating safe spaces for men.
The Dandenong Ranges group hosts game nights, activity days, and “dad and children” catch-ups, giving men of all ages and backgrounds opportunities to connect outside traditional sporting clubs or social circles.
“I had heard of Mountain Men, but didn’t know much about them in detail, we reached out to Paul and Andrew, and had a really great connection. I could tell instantly they are men of great character and really liked the work that they were doing with the group,” he said.
While Mountain Men isn’t strictly a men’s mental health organisation, Mr Bell said its work naturally supports the spirit of connection and wellbeing, especially in the wake of Covid.
“Anything to encourage connection and community spirit is much needed, and sometimes improving men’s mental health doesn’t explicitly need to be pushed, but it’s a natural evolution of those principles of community and camaraderie amongst men,” he said.
The fundraising target is $5000, and the total is already close to $3000, with all donations going to support Mountain Men’s ongoing programs.
For the Bell Real Estate director, running has been a transformative journey. He started trail running two and a half years ago to get healthy, lost 40kg in just eight months, and along the way, it has helped him manage anxiety and discover a renewed sense of purpose.
“Help is always out there judgement judgment-free, so don’t talk yourself out of speaking to someone, in my experience, if you do something challenging, you find out something about yourself you didn’t know existed,” Mr Bell said.
“There is a huge amount of growth when you push through your own glass ceilings and find a greater purpose in life.”
He hopes his run will inspire men in the Dandenong Ranges to seek connection and support, and he encourages others to get involved with the Mountain Men.
For more information, visit Mountain Men’s website at www.mountainmen.org.au
