By Matthew Sims
The sounds of puffing runners mixed with the unmistakable sound of Puffing Billy over the weekend, as the 2024 Puffing Billy Running Festival welcoming more than 3400 participants to compete with the historic locomotive.
Runners of all ages and skill levels competed across a range of courses, from the 1.2-kilometre Kids Dash to the 21.1-kilometre half marathon.
Saturday kicekd off with the 1.2-kilometre Kids Dash event around the Emerald Lake Park, with nine-year-old April Hayward setting a new record for the female category with a time of four minutes and 41 seconds.
Nine-year-old Ace Dean celebrated victory in the male category with a time of four minutes and 47 seconds.
The five-kilometre Family Fun Run event saw 16-year-old Holly Makaay defending her title as the female winner finishing with a time of 20 minutes and 46 seconds, beating her 2023 time by nearly a full minute, while the male winner was 20-year-old Jackson Addicott with a time of 18 minutes and 10 seconds.
Puffing Billy followed closely behind with a time of 26 minutes and 59 seconds.
The main events of the event arrived on Sunday, with the 13.5-kilometre Classic and the 21.1-kilometre half marathon.
Cheltenham’s Michael Kernahan took out the male competition with a time of 47 minutes and 27 seconds, with Cockatoo’s Sarah Klein the female winner with a time of 49 minutes and 18 seconds, making it her second consecutive win in the Classic.
Puffing Billy was no match for the Classic runners, finishing with a time of one hour, eight minutes and 45 seconds.
For the most experienced runners, the half marathon again provided a sufficient challenge with Hampton’s Daniel Ebbott coming in first place with a time of one hour, 17 minutes and 48 seconds.
Ilona Sankey of Kew East took out the women’s title with a time of one hour, 29 minutes and 50 seconds.
Puffing Billy Railway acting chief executive Stefanie Straub said off the race track, the event created a strong sense of community spirit, with a number of spectators lining the routes to cheer on the runners.
“We’re thrilled to see so many runners, families, and supporters return this year to make the Puffing Billy Running Festival a success,” she said.
“This event not only celebrates fitness and fun but also raises important funds for the preservation of Puffing Billy, ensuring its continued role in heritage railway history and the local community.”
Proceeds from the festival would directly support ongoing projects at Puffing Billy Railway, including the refurbishment of the historic Menzies Creek Museum and enhancements along the rail corridor.
For the full list of race results, visit www.multisportaustralia.com.au/races/puffing-billy-running-festival-2024
