Puffing Billy Running Festival
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Puffing Billy Running Festival
The Puffing Billy Running Festival is a multi-race event in the Dandenong Ranges focused around Emerald Lake Park. It includes races for different ages and distances and operates as a fundraiser for Puffing Billy Railway heritage projects.
Distances offered:
- 13.5 km Classic, Belgrave to Emerald Lake Park
- 5 km Family Fun Run, Emerald Lake Park
- 1.2 km Junior Dash, Emerald Lake Park
- New Balance Social Run
The 13.5 km Classic runs from Belgrave to Emerald Lake Park and is staged alongside Puffing Billy trains; the festival references racing two trains on that route. Event services include electronic timing, finisher medals and certificates, bag drop, drink stations, on-course first aid and on-course road closures. Family entertainment is provided at the finish area and on-course photography is available for purchase.
Transport options noted for participants include an optional return locomotive journey available for purchase and a free return bus shuttle back to the start line. The festival is managed by SingleTrack Events and supports Puffing Billy Railway restoration work. Puffing Billy Railway is described as a not-for-profit steam railway built in 1900 that operates on the original 24 kilometre mountain track between Belgrave and Gembrook with volunteer support. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
