By PETER DOUGLAS
MOTHER Nature couldn’t stop the nearly 3000 runners who turned out to see whether they could beat Puffing Billy in a race through the Dandenong Ranges on Sunday 1 May.
The 35th Puffing Billy Great Train Race, over a distance of 13.5km, proved to be another challenge this year.
Local resident Craig Appleby from Cockatoo crossed the line to win the event in 43.39s.
Appleby won the race in 2014 and came second last year.
He said he was keen to taste victory again.
“I really enjoyed competing in the Great Train Race and appreciated the support from the local community for this event,” he said.
“I will continue to run in the Great Train Race until I can no longer run.”
The first female to cross the line was Tarli Bird from Echuca who finished in 49.04s.
This is the second year running she has been the female winner.
Meanwhile, Puffing Billy crossed the line in 56.20s, which was almost five minutes slower than last year.
The slower time was possibly due to the wet weather conditions.
Through the event, the Puffing Billy Preservation Society successfully raised around $95,000.
The funds will go towards completing the museum at Menzies Creek.
A full list of winners is available on www.puffingbilly.com.au.
