Peter’s long trot to Cobden

LAST Thursday, long-time runner Peter Trotter celebrated his seventieth birthday.

To mark this milestone and generate funds and awareness for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia – a cause close to his family – Mr Trotter has decided to take part in The Long Run one weekend in October.

“Since the pandemic started, I’ve been clocking over the kilometres, and I thought, I’ll run 70 kilometres for my 70th birthday,” he said.

The Ballarat resident will run from Colac to Cobden; a significant area of his childhood that continues to be treasured.

“My mother died when I was nine, and she was buried on my birthday. We lived on a farm in Carpendeit, between Cobden and Colac.

“I moved into Colac when I was 15, when my father remarried to a beautiful lady. I travelled Australia, and came back to live there with my wife for a few more years,” he said.

The plan was for Mr Trotter to run to the old family farm from Colac, before finishing at the cemetery where his mother was buried on his birthday, 23 September.

He expects it will take eight-and-a-half hours.

“Once I get out on the road, all my memories from my childhood will keep me going, and I think some of my family are going to join me at different times.

“I’m looking forward to going down memory lane. My main concern is the magpies and the headwind,” he laughed.

Mr Trotter has experienced two strokes; the worst in 2005, before another two years later. Having recovered well over the last 14 years, running is a constant in his life.

In recent times, he’s trotted 120 kilometres per week, although those taking part in The Long Run campaign only need to travel a minimum of 72 in one month.

“After my first stroke, I suffered from anxiety and depression pretty badly. Mainly, I run for my mental health. It keeps me straight and narrow, and that’s why I started running big kilometres.”

Visit bit.ly/3AL7htA if you would like to support the fundraiser.