From Marathon Champion to Real-Life Forrest Gump… Now Running the Highway to Help!
Rob Pope — yes, the guy who’s actually run the Forrest Gump route across America FIVE TIMES — is back at it with one of his boldest missions yet.
- Former Australian Marathon Champion & Rio Olympic qualifier
- Holder of 3 World Records (including longest run in a single country!)
- Fastest marathon dressed as a film character (Forrest, obviously)
Now he’s following AC/DC’s 2025 tour across the East Coast of Australia — from the roar of the first concert in the MCG, Melbourne, to the final fireworks in Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane — all to raise 100,000 for 3 amazing causes:
- 2,000 km
- 70+ km per day
- 4 weeks of pure grit
- Powered by one rule: never stop running while AC/DC is playing
- The Mission: aise AUD100,000 for:
- The Smith Family
- NSPCC
- WWF
Rob doesn’t just chase finish lines — he chases impact: every kilometre is powered by purpose.
Day 1 Recap: “A ceremonial beginning. What a day. Last minute prep, including buying a tent, before taking in the sights of the MCG, where we saw the mighty @acdc only four days ago, to Swanston, ACDC Lane and then @cherrybarmelb where we had the coolest rock and roll sports team photo of all time, to @royalderbyhotel and the ACDC pop up shop where Iet a few legendary fans including the famous “ACDC button man” (look him up). Then, with the farewells of friends ringing in my ears, I turned on the @marshall and whacked on Highway to Hell, electing to leave Melbourne by the hilliest route possible.
Rosie was acting up, with a clasp not holding, so liked to collapse whenever we hit a bump. Which was often. Cable ties tomorrow methinks. Hey ho, we’re just getting familiar with each other. The 50kg is taking a whole lotta pushin’ on these hills. They’re only getting worse though, as we head into the high country.
Highlight of the mid-run bit was finding the Melbourne Hells Angels hideout. I thought they were meant to be secret? Anyway, Rosie looked DAMN COOL outside. The staccato start meant a late getting into the rhythm and me completely not realising it got dark pretty early, led to the decision to call the day off early as it was absolutely thrashing it down, I had no clue how to pitch this tent, let alone in the dark and rain and the roads were about to get NIGHT TIME NAUGHTY. Not disappointed, enjoyed the day. Good to be rolling. Onwards.”
