Puffing Billy Running Festival
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About the race
The Puffing Billy Running Festival is a two-day event in Emerald Lake Park that stages a series of races alongside the historic Puffing Billy steam railway. The Festival continues a 40 year tradition of a foot race against the locomotive and includes family-focused activities in the finish precinct at the Puffing Billy Lakeside Visitor Centre.
Event features include electronic timing and results, finisher medals and certificates, bag drop, on-course first aid, cup-free drink stations in 2026, on-course photography for purchase, and on-course road closures. Spectators can travel on the Puffing Billy steam train, and an optional return locomotive journey back to the start line is available for purchase. A free return bus shuttle from the finish to the start is provided.
Distances offered:
- 1.5 km Junior Dash
- 5 km Family Fun Run / Walk
- 13.5 km Classic from Belgrave to Emerald Lake Park
The Festival hosts family entertainment, music, sponsor activities and free massages in the Finish Zone. The 13.5 km Classic can include up to 3,000 participants racing against two steam locomotives. Proceeds from the Festival fund heritage restoration projects at Puffing Billy Railway. The event is managed by SingleTrack Events. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
