Triathlons are gruelling events. They’re generally long, tiring and provide the competitor with legs and arms like jelly on completion. So imagine how 23-year-old Tom Dunn’s body is feeling as he continues in his challenge to complete ‘Australia’s Longest Triathlon’, running, cycling and swimming 4825 kilometres, the length of Australia’s mainland from north to south.

Tom passed through Orbost last week having left Cape York, at the northern tip of Australia, on September 9. He is now headed to the finish line at Wilsons Promontory in early December.

It is a monstrous feat he has set himself. His journey (equal to more than 90 Olympic standard triathlons) comprises three extraordinary efforts – a cycle leg of 3780km - longer than the average Tour de France; a run leg of 910km – further than 22 marathons; and a swim leg of 135km - greater than four crossings of the English Channel.

He is no stranger to adventure, or fundraising, having previously raised more than $97,000 through physical feats for various charities, beginning with his first trip, a 40-day/2200km kayak down the Murray River to raise funds for Aurora, an early intervention centre for deaf and blind children. He went on to complete a 113-day stand up paddle board journey, with only two weeks of experience, along the length of Australia’s longest river system, the Murray-Darling, to raise awareness for Deaf Children Australia.

Earlier this year Tom went to Nepal where he joined the Make Noise Nepal project, which aims to make a positive impact on the high rates of modern slavery.

He hiked Mount Everest and after 21 days reached the highest point of 5460 metres and made it to Everest Base Camp.

Now he aims to raise funds and awareness for Melbourne Indigenous Transition Schools (MITS) organisation and their staff. MITS is a residential transition school in Melbourne that provides choice and opportunity to Indigenous students from remote and regional communities.

He cycled the first leg (3701km) from Cape York to Sydney and walked/ran from there to Canberra and out to the coast to head south and around to Lakes Entrance (908km).

From there he is now swimming the Gippsland Lakes to Sale for the swim leg (135km).

Tom spent 24 hours in Orbost, joined by his mum for a visit, before continuing on foot last Tuesday morning headed to Nowa Nowa along the East Gippsland Rail Trail and then on to Lakes Entrance where he began his swim.

The swimming has already seen him contend with unforeseen challenges, including the theft of his kayak, which he had intended to tow behind him with his gear, and, despite research prior to the challenge, confusion with the tides and dealing with the ebbs and flows that have seen him on a number of occasions heading frustratingly backwards. He is on top of it now and is continuing his eastward swim.

One thing he has really embraced on his journey is the people.

“I’ve met some really wonderful people along the way,” he said.

“When my kayak was stolen in Lakes Entrance I was overwhelmed with the support offered to me with purchasing a new one or borrowing one. I did buy a small one locally, but the offers were quite amazing.”

Upon reaching Sale he will continue on to Wilsons Promontory with an Ironman triathlon, swimming the Latrobe River before running and cycling the rest of the way.

Tom is experiencing varying kinds of exhaustion along with homesickness as he continues his journey, and while he is enjoying the hospitality and beauty of the regions he is passing through, he is looking forward to heading home to Geelong when he reaches the finish line at Wilsons Promontory in the coming weeks.

You can look back at Tom’s journey so far and follow his adventures on his webpage and social media. Simply search Australia’s Longest Triathlon and you’ll find him.

PICTURED: Tom Dunn has been challenging himself with what has been dubbed ‘Australia’s Longest Triathlon’ having set off from Cape York in September headed for the finish line at Wilsons Promontory. He was in Orbost last week before heading off to Lakes Entrance to commence the swimming leg of the journey that on completion will have seen him cycle, run/walk and swim 4825 kilometres.