Bob’s Round. Built honestly. Run your way.
In 2027, Hut 2 Hut welcomes a brand new addition to the trail family: Bobs Round.
At 48km with over 3000m of elevation, Bob’s Round is everything you love about the Oscars 100 course just packed into a one day hit.
Bob's Round isn't a watered-down version of the Oscars 100.
It’s not the “easier option” and it certainly doesn’t pull any punches.
Bob’s Round is a course that asks the right questions:
How much have you got?
How well can you pace yourself?
How deep are you willing to go when the legs start talking back?
And just as importantly, who have you got beside you when the going gets hard?
Named after our dad, Bob’s Round is built in his spirit.
Honest.
Unfiltered.
No shortcuts.
Bob wasn’t loud. He didn’t need to be.
He was always there in the moments that mattered and left an impact that’ will stay with us forever.
This course is our way of honouring him.
Not with something easy.
But with something meaningful.
Bob’s Round takes everything that makes Hut 2 Hut unforgettable and condenses it into a spectacularly challenging 48km loop.
You’ll tackle:
- Mt Buller’s summit
- The brutal honesty of 4 Mile
- The ridgeline beauty of Eagle Peaks Track
- The sting of Timbertop
- The relentless grind of West Ridge
That’s:
- 48km in distance (ish)
- +3000m elevation gain
- 5 key climbs and
- 2 descents that’ll test your quads (and your judgement)
Bobs Round is a course that rewards patience but may punish you for poor decisions. It will remind you often that Hut 2 Hut courses aren't about how good your Strava looks.
But if you take Bobs Round on it’ll give you everything:
Big views.
Big effort.
Big satisfaction.
And one hell of a finish line feeling.
Who Is Bob’s Round Is For?
Bob’s Round is for participants who want:
- A genuine mountain challenge
- A proper Hut 2 Hut experience in one day
- To test themselves
- To be part of something bigger than just a race
- Just want to have a go and see what can be achieved
It’s for the ones who know that strength doesn’t always need to be loud.
Sometimes it’s quiet.
Sometimes it’s steady.
Sometimes it’s just showing up and keeping going.
Just like Bob.
This one recognises the Dads, the Step-Dads, the Grand-Dads
Bob’s Round is more than a race.
It’s our new story.
It's a new challenge.
And a new chapter for Hut 2 Hut.
In 2027, we can’t wait to share it with you.
COURSE DECRIPTION
Leg 1: Mt Buller to 4 Mile.
Distance: 11.0km. Elevation: 276m
Bob’s Round doesn’t ease you in.
From the Village Square, it’s straight up the guts of Athlete’s Walk before you leave the comfort of the village behind and head for the summit trails.
A mix of smooth singletrack and alpine dirt road leads you past Burnt Hut Reservoir and up towards Mt Buller’s summit giving you just enough time to settle in before the mountain reminds you what you’ve signed up for.
Then comes the turn.
Off the road and into the bush, Four Mile drops away beneath your feet.
And when we say drops… we mean it.
Over the next 8km, you’ll descend more than 1300 vertical metres down a rugged ridgeline towards the Howqua River.
This is classic Hut 2 Hut country:
- rocky and technical up high
- tight, scratchy bush in places
- fast and flowing lower down
There are rocky scrambles, exposed viewpoints, and more than enough chances to remind yourself that descending well is a skill and patience matters here.
Go too hard too early and the mountain has a funny way of making you pay for it later.
As the trail opens up and the river draws closer, the terrain becomes more runnable, but don’t switch off. Loose ground, possible fallen branches and uneven footing keep you honest all the way down.
At the bottom, the Howqua River is your reward and your reminder that this course gives nothing away for free.
Cross the river, regroup, and roll into the first aid station because Bob’s Round is only just getting started.
Leg 2: Four Mile to Sheepyard Flat.
Distance: 12.5km. Elevation: 746m
After the first checkpoint, Bob’s Round gives you just enough time to gather yourself before asking the next question.
You’ll roll out from Four Mile along the valley floor, following the low trail for a couple of kilometres as the legs try to work out what just happened on the descent.
Don’t get too comfortable.
A sharp right turn across Brocks Road marks the start of the next test — the climb onto Eagle Peaks.
Over the next 3km, you’ll climb more than 450 vertical metres as the trail pulls you steadily back into the mountains.
This is where Bob’s Round starts to show its character.
The climb is honest and unrelenting, but once you break through the treeline, the reward is worth every step.
For the next 4km, Eagle Peaks delivers some of the most spectacular running on the course.
Think:
- big alpine ridgelines
- exposed rock ledges
- endless views
- just enough technical terrain to keep you switched on
It’s the kind of section that feels wild without ever getting out of hand, a little Crosscut Saw energy, without quite the same nastiness.
The trail is rocky in places, but clear and well marked. It’s a section that rewards rhythm, confidence and keeping your eyes up every now and then.
Because it really is that good.
Then it’s time to drop.
The descent off Eagle Peaks winds its way back down towards Sheepyard Flat, where your next aid station is waiting.
Refuel. Reset. Take a breath.
Because Bob’s Round is still building.
Leg 3: Sheepyard Flat to Timbertop Carpark.
Distance: 6.0km. Elevation: 653m
By the time you leave Sheepyard Flat, Bob’s Round has already shown you a fair bit.
But this next section?
This is where the course lets you breathe… just enough to keep you guessing.
A quick river crossing gets your feet wet again before you roll through Blackbird Flat and back towards Brocks Road, where marshals will guide you safely across and back onto trail.
Then the climb begins.
Over the next 6km, the trail winds steadily uphill towards Timbertop Carpark.
This is one of the more runnable climbs on the course, a chance to find rhythm, settle the breathing, and let the legs do what they’re there for.
The trail is clear, smooth and beautifully varied.
You’ll move through:
- towering mountain gums
- open grassy meadows
- cool fern-lined pockets
- quiet sections of trail that feel a long way from anywhere
It’s a proper alpine reset.
There’s space here to run well if you’ve managed yourself smartly so far.
You’ll crest Muzzas Saddle, peel away from the better-known horse trail, and follow a quieter line through country that feels untouched.
Ancient rock formations and sweeping forest views remind you that this place has been here long before any of us thought trail running was a good idea.
It’s a beautiful section.
But don’t let it lull you.
Because Bob’s Round still has a sting in the tail.
Timbertop Carpark marks the end of Leg 3 and the start of the section that will sort out who’s still moving well… and who’s hanging on.
Leg 4: Timbertop Carpark to Doughty Rd.
Distance: 9.0km. Elevation: 552
By now, Bob’s Round has asked plenty of questions and you're waiting for answers.
From Timbertop Carpark, there’s no easing back into things. You head straight onto the Timbertop Summit Trail. A steady, honest climb up the western flank of the mountain. With nearly 30km and close to 1500m of climbing already in the legs, this is where the course starts to sort things out.
The trail winds through beautiful eucalypt forest, climbing steadily as the air gets a little thinner and the legs start negotiating terms.
It’s a proper mountain climb:
- steep enough to make you work
- steady enough to find a rhythm
- scenic enough to briefly distract you from the fact you’re still going up
As you near the summit, the trees begin to thin and the views open up.
To one side: the Merrijig Valley stretches away below you.
To the other: the Bluff rises out of the distance like a reminder that the Oscars 100 course don’t do sympathy.
And, if you look closely, you’ll also catch your first proper glimpse of what’s still to come.
The final climb.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. From the top of Timbertop, the course finally gives a little back. A gentle 3km descent lets you reset the legs, find your breath, and enjoy some rare downhill that doesn’t feel like punishment.
Then it’s back to business.
A final grind, along Doughtys Road, brings you towards the last aid station
Eat. Drink. Regroup.
Because what comes next is the final showcase of Bob’s Round.
And trust us… This is worth saving something for.
Leg 5: West Ridge to Buller.
Distance: 9.5km. Elevation: 552
Bobs Round saves its best until last.
And by best… we mean the kind of climb you’ll talk about for years.
From Doughtys Road, there’s no gentle fade out. You’ll roll through a short warm-up rise over Round Hill before arriving at the base of West Ridge, the final and most spectacular challenge on the course.
Over the next 7km, you’ll climb more than 750 vertical metres back towards the summit of Mt Buller.
If you’ve managed your day well, this is where you get to empty the tank. If you haven't... well, West Ridge has a way of exposing that too.
The climb is steep, rocky and unapologetically alpine.
You’ll follow a narrow ridgeline that feels wild in all the right ways:
- exposed rock ledges
- technical scrambling
- endless views in every direction
It’s the kind of terrain that makes you stop for a second, partly because the scenery is ridiculous but mainly because you’re wondering whose bright idea this was.
For those who know the Oscars100 course, parts of West Ridge will feel familiar.
Think:
- Bluff-style scrambling
- Mt Spec rock movement
- big mountain energy
It looks intimidating at first glance but like most good things in the mountains, it rewards patience.
Take your time.
Pick your line.
Trust your feet.
It’s all there.
And yes, we’ll have marshals out on the ridge to help guide you through a couple of the trickier sections because Bob’s Round was never meant to be easy, or reckless. Just honest, unfiltered, and earned the right way.
When you finally top out on Mt Buller, take a moment. Look back. You’ll be able to see almost every part of the course you’ve just worked your way through.The descents. The ridges. The climbs. The decisions. The moments where it got hard and you kept going anyway.
Tear your page from the summit book. Take it with you. Then head back down towards the village because by then, the hard part is done.
And as you wind your way back to the finish take the time to recall exactly what Bobs Round was always meant to be:
Honest.
Unfiltered.
No shortcuts.
Pricing
REFUND POLICY - 75% of your entry fees is refunded if you withdraw from the event, for any reason, prior to October 1st, 2026. 50% of your entry fees is refunded if you withdraw from the event, for any reason, prior to December 24th, 2026. 25% of your entry fees is refunded if you withdraw from the event, for any reason, prior to January 14th, 2027. No refunds are issued after January 15th, 2027
Schedule
Cut off Times
THIS EVENT IS VERY STRICT ON MANDATORY GEAR SO PLEASE READ CAREFULLY....
As this event will take you through the wilderness of Victorias Alpine region you will be required to carry, as a minimum, a range of mandatory gear.
We have put together this list based on having average seasonal temperatures so please treat the mandatory gear list as a the minimum you should carry. It will be your responsibility to ensure you are best prepared for the weather conditions. Weather in the Victorian Alps can change quickly so while you may only want to take the lightest mandatory gear it may not be enough should it get cold.
- suitable backpack for carrying items below
- Waterproof and windproof jacket with hood and sealed seams
- Waterproof and windproof pants with sealed seams
- Long sleeved thermal top and long johns (polypropylene, wool or similar). Cotton, coolmax, lycra and any compression garment will not be acceptable
- Medium Weight Long Sleeve Mid Layer - Polar Fleece or Similar If the weather is unseasonably cold you will be required to carry a 100 weight polar fleece jumper. We will notify all competitors by midday Wednesday prior to the event if this is needed.
- Beanie/balaclava
- Windproof gloves2 x Buff or head sock. One of these replaces your triangle bandage which is no longer required.
- Map of the trails, preferably 1:50,000 Buller-Howitt Alpine Area Outdoor Recreation Guide trekking map by Spatial Vision. See NAVIGATION PAGE for where / how to buy online.
- Course notes (preferably laminated or in a waterproof map case or zip lock bag)
- Fail Safe Base Plate Compass (Digital or GPS compass is NOT enough)
- Lighter or waterproof matches
- Whistle (pea-less)
- Basic First Aid kit including: Space blanket, personal medicinal requirements; band aids / blister wraps; 10cm elastic bandage for snake bites/sprains. NB: cotton crepe bandages are NOT acceptable.
- Fully charged mobile phone PLUS minimum 1x portable mini power bank (1 phone per solo runner/2 per team or relay team—Telstra provides the only coverage in patches).
- pre-loaded Avenza Maps App on your smartphone PLUS the course map downloaded into App. See INSTRUCTIONS HERE for how to organise.
- Torch/headlamp PLUS spare batteries. Second back up headlamp preferred.
- Food—for the run and emergency food if lost
- Water carrying capacity —minimum 2-litres. More recommended if forecast is hot. Must be sealable water-carrying vessel. Plastic bags etc will not be accepted.
- Waterproof bag to keep your compulsory clothing dry (plastic bags/zip lock bags or dry sacks are fine)
- Sunscreen (roll on or tube)
- Hiking/Trekking Poles
- Gaiters or Moxy's shin guards
REMINDER NOTE: As mandatory, you need to carry a mobile phone, with back up charge battery, with the Avenza Maps App loaded PLUS the course map downloaded into App. See INSTRUCTIONS HERE for how to organise.
If the weather is unseasonably cold you will be required to carry a 100 weight polar fleece jumper. We will notify all competitors by Tuesday 11th February.
RACE RULES:
Event Rules - Please take the time to read
All rules are in place for the safety of all competitors, volunteers and event team.
-
- You must complete the marked course on foot under your own power.
- Trekking poles are permitted to be used on the course.
- If you use trekking poles they must be fully collapsible so they can either fit inside your pack or be strapped to the outside of your pack when not in use.
- Your race number must be visible at all times. It must be on the outside of your clothing at all times and on the front of your body over your belly or chest. It must never be worn on your pants or leg. Do not cover over your race number with any backpack strap or article of clothing.
- You must not fold, cut or change your race number in any way. It must be worn as is, unfolded.
- The wearing of iPods or other music players with headphones is not recommended on the course. This is both for your safety, the safety of others. Also you must switch off music at all checkpoints so you can hear directions given to you by event marshals, you must switch off music when travelling on any roads so you can hear approaching traffic and you must switch off music when on any cliff sections of the course such as on 4 Mile so you don't cause yourself or someone else to be injured. So while you may use iPods it is up to you to use them in a sensible and safe manner so that you remain aware of your surroundings at all times.
- If you withdraw from the event, you must notify the race director immediately (unless assisted from the course by First Aid crews). You can then work with the Aid Station Crew Chief to arrange logistics of transport back to Mt Buller.
- If you need First Aid help on the course you must use the phone numbers on your Participant Emergency Instructions Card to contact event organisers who will arrange to retrieve you.
- You must stay on the marked course. Short cuts are not permitted. If you get lost, return to the last sighted marking. Don’t cut corners…. Its cheating
- You must carry your own Mandatory Gear at all times during the event. Random gear checks will be performed during the event. Any participant without the mandatory gear will not be able to proceed until they arrange for the missing item to be replaced. For the sake of fairness to other runners there will also be a penalty ranging from a minimum time penalty of 2 hours per item to disqualification based on the severity of the breach. Take special note of what to do with your fleece top .
- You must obey directions of checkpoint staff or course marshals at all times and withdraw from the race if you miss any time cut-offs at checkpoints or on course.
- Littering is strictly prohibited. We want to leave no trace so we are welcome back the following year.
- You must not leave human faeces on the track. If you need to poo either use a toilet or a wag bag or follow Leave No Trace principles.
- If you leave the track to go to the toilet, you must leave your backpack to one side of the trail where you exited into the bush. This is so if you get lost, we can find your backpack and know where to start our search.
- You must not take dogs into National Parks.
- You must not smoke in the National Park
- You must obey any information signs such as track closures, etc.
- In training you must stay out of any out of bounds areas.
- Leave gates as you find them. If closed, you may open a gate to pass through but it is your responsibility to close the gate after you.
- The participant is responsible for the actions of their support crew. Support crews must comply with all instructions from event staff and officials. The participant may be penalised or disqualified for actions or breaches of the rules by their support crew.
- Support crews must obey all road rules and drive within the speed limits. Please ensure that support crew get sufficient rest and are not tired when driving.
- Support crews must follow the instructions of all checkpoint staff, road marshals and road traffic controllers.
- Support crews must not eat the provided food at checkpoints. The food is for the competitors only.
- Support crews are responsible for their own vehicles and any damage that may occur.
- Support crews are limited to one vehicle per participant. This vehicle needs to be suitable for the conditions as much of the course access will be on 4WD tracks.
- The event organisers are not responsible for the safety or whereabouts of support crew.
- The event organisers reserve the right to discourage and/or penalise behaviour that is considered unsporting.
- Breaking any of the rules may incur a time penalty, disqualification or pre-race withdrawal. Any such penalties are at the organisers’ discretion and are final.
- Runners must have left the aid stations by the cut-off time. Competitors, once you have left the aid station you may not return unless you are withdrawing from the event.
- Sweeps will leave the checkpoints no later than cutoff time. Sweeps will not wait for competitors who have left the aid station to avoid cutoff times and are receiving support from crew or anyone else. If the sweeps passes you you will be pulled from course and be listed as a DNF.
