General News
22 October, 2025
Lochlan runs 70KM for Youth Minds
Dimboola teacher Lochlan Stenhouse has completed a remarkable 70-kilometre ultramarathon from Dimboola to Rainbow, raising more than $7000 to support headspace and raise awareness for youth mental health.
Students from Rainbow P-12 College welcomed him at Rainbow Lake and cheered him across the finish line after more than nine hours on the road.
“It’s unbelievable and almost euphoric,” Mr Stenhouse said after finishing.
“It’s hard to put into words the emotions I’m feeling right now, just seeing everybody and the turnout for the cause.
“Everyone got around it, for not only supporting me, but supporting youth mental health, and it was incredible.”
At just 25 years old, Mr Stenhouse took on the distance in nine hours and 15 seconds, starting before dawn at 4.30am.
His ‘70Km - Mental Miles’ ultramarathon raised $7100, with the occasional donation still coming in.
“The morning was just the most perfect morning,” he said.
“There was a full moon that gave light, and I had one of my best mates and my cousin with me.
“They looked after me and gave me everything I needed.”
According to Mr Stenhouse, the toughest stretch came between Jeparit and Rainbow, where strong winds and rolling rises tested his strength.
“The wind was probably the most challenging,” he said.
There were times when the body wanted to give up, but I just knew what was waiting at the end.”
Mr Stenhouse said the motivation behind the run went far beyond the physical challenge.
“Honestly, it wasn’t about the run, it was about the cause, as I wanted to make noise around mental health,” he said.
“The run was just the moving object for that and it was a crazy enough challenge to make an impact.”
Arriving in Rainbow, Mr Stenhouse was greeted by dozens of excited students who ran the final stretch beside him.
“I was so incredibly blessed,” he said.
“I was expecting about ten kids, but there were twenty or more and some ran the whole three kilometres with me.
“They took my mind off the pain and it was the best three kilometres.”
Reflecting on the achievement, Mr Stenhouse said he hopes to continue making a difference.
“The next goal is to keep making an impact in this space,” he said.
“I want to make it more inclusive for everyone and not just me out there doing the hard yards, but the community getting involved.”
He also had a message for anyone hesitant to chase their own big goals.
“When something scares you but excites you, that’s when you should go for it,” he said.
“Say what you can do and do what you say.
“If you fail, you learn and the biggest battle is with yourself.”
Headspace Uniting staff members were also present at the school throughout the day, providing information about youth mental health.
