On 21 April, 2026, RMC Duntroon hosted guest speaker Phil Gore, one of Australia's greatest endurance athletes and world record holder in ultra-endurance running.

Phil Gore is living proof that limits are often self-imposed - and meant to be broken.

A native of Western Australia, he began his running career competing in distance running at high school, before transitioning to longer distances later in life, choosing to test himself in the world of ultra-marathons, where endurance is measured not just in kilometres, but in grit, resilience, and sheer will.

By 2020, he had already begun to dominate Australia’s ultra-running scene. Yet, it was his performances on the global stage that truly redefined what seemed humanly possible. In 2023, at Dead Cow Gully, he pushed beyond exhaustion to complete an astonishing 102 laps, totaling 684 kilometres and setting a world record. For most, that would be a lifetime achievement. For him, it was just a milestone.

In 2025, he returned- not to defend his record, but to destroy it. Over five relentless days, he ran 119 laps, covering 798 kilometres. No shortcuts, no surrender, just relentless forward motion.

Then came Tennessee. At the Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra World Championship, he outlasted every competitor, running 114 laps to become the last man standing. It wasn’t just a victory; it was a masterclass in mental toughness.

But what makes his story truly powerful isn’t just the records. It’s who he is beyond them. A firefighter. A father of four. A man grounded in humility despite achieving what few on Earth ever will.

His story is a reminder: greatness isn’t reserved for the extraordinary. It is built, step by step, by those willing to go further than they thought possible.