Peter Treseder - Too Tough To Be True ?

The notes on this page have been gathered from a number of sources, and the reader is requested to perform their own further investigations prior to making a decision. Opinions stated here are not necessarily those of CoolRunning Australia or the Australian Ultra Runners' Association.

Peter Treseder is somewhat of a national institution, he has scaled the tallest mounatins, paddled the wides seas and been on every kind of "Boys Own" adventure possible. Every latest escapade is reported heavily in the media, and Peter is now able to mix in high social circles and comes highly recommended by the Prime-Minister Johhn Howard even.

Although there may have been quiet rumblings of disblief in the hard-core bushwalking/ adventure enthusiasts, it was only when "Inside Sport" Magazine, a monthly glossy, published a damning article about Peter Treseder - the man who apparently climbs tall mountains, runs across deserts, hauls sleds to the South Pole unassisted and paddles wild rivers and dangerous seas - all at record times. Along the way, he has apparently overcome a snake-bite to his penis and battles crocodiles and pirates. Sims claims that "Peter Treseder is the man who has hood-winked a nation, all the way to its highest office".

Peter Treseder also claims many long distance running "records" although there is no evidence offered, and he has declined to run in any organised long distance events. Examples are The Six Foot Track in "about 3 hours", the Great North Walk from Sydney to Newcastle in 32 hours. Katoomba Post Office to Mittong Post Office, 140 km via wild bush tracks, in 14 hours (4th March 1989).

Whilst many of these exploits are essentially unprovable, a number of different articles have been gathered together to let people form their own opinions.

• Inside Sport article about Peter Treseder
• Some Information on Peter Treseder's Book
• Well-known expert Sea-Kayaker Laurie Ford queries Peter Treseder's sea-kayaking and paddling claims on his website
• A few feats short of a hero: doubt over deeds (March 2001)
• Adventurer asked to explain claims (April 2001)
• Opinion from David Noble, well-known outdoorsman and adventurer
• The man who invented himself (February 2002)