Sunday 30th April, 2017
Puffing Billy is a run with a difference;
just over 3,000 people meet in the beautiful suburb of Belgrave (35km east of
the CBD) to race against the train.
Puffing Billy is a century-old steam train
that runs from Belgrave to Gembrook, through forests, fern gullies and farmlands in the Dandenong Ranges. Puffing Billy was built to serve but
is now a major tourist attraction for locals and overseas visitors. The ride is
suitable for all ages and everyone can hang their legs over the side of the
carriage, as they witness the stunning ‘Mountain Ash’ trees (a form of eucalypt and the
tallest flowering plant in the world) and famous timber bridges (the biggest
spanning 91m long and 12.8m high). On a clear day, views extend to Port Phillip
Bay, Arthurs Seat and Westernport. And many of the stations along the way offer
markets, cafes or a history lesson.
The Great Train Race isn't simply
a race amongst the competitors - it's an exciting challenge competing against
the steam locomotive, Puffing Billy!
The race route extends 13.5 km's through
the hills and fern gullies of the picturesque Dandenong Ranges from Belgrave to
Emerald Lake Park. The continual popularity of this unique run makes the Great
Train Race an event not to be missed. The Great Train Race is organised by
Puffing Billy Railway volunteers. It is an annual fundraiser for the Puffing
Billy Preservation Society –
this years contribution will go to Menzies Creek Museum redevelopment project.
GTR 2017
EVENT INFORMATION
Date
|
Sunday 30th April 2017
|
Distance
|
13.5km
|
Start Time
|
9:30am
|
Cut off time
|
120 minutes | 11:30am
|
Start Line
|
Belgrave - Gembrook Rd, Belgrave Victoria
|
Finish Line
|
Lakeside Station: Emerald Lake Park,
Emerald
|
Qualifying Standard
|
75minutes, 10km flat
|
GTR Contact
|
Race Train 1
|
Race Train 2
|
|
2017
|
55:24
|
72:09
|
2016
|
56:20
|
79:08
|
2015
|
51:47
|
70:43
|
2014
|
60:26
|
81:31
|
RACE NOTES:
The maximum number of runners competing
is 3,200. Whilst the course is 13.5km in distance, it consists of a
hilly route, using public tarmac, dirt roads and multi-purpose trails. Competitors
are recommended to have a solid base of training. The Great Train Race is
not a walking event (there are strict cut-offs). Whilst we understand
competitors may need to walk at some points (especially up those gruelling
hills) it’s expected that you can run majority of the way. Note: Prequalifying
time is required when registering for the 2017 Great Train Race.
Returning to Belgrave
(Start Line)
Your choice of transport back to Belgrave
is included in the registration fee.
Puffing Billy: Whilst spectators are required to have pre-purchased a
Race Day Puffing Billy Race Train ticket, Runners bibs are the
Race Train tickets for competitors. Trains return from
Lakeside (Emerald Lake Park) at the following times*: 11:00am | 11:20am |
11:50am | 1:10pm | 3:30pm.
Charter Bus: A fleet of charted buses will depart Emerald Lake for
Belgrave from 11:00am – 12noon (approx.).
Pre-race –
Puffing Billy is amazing! I have run the
event two or three times before (with Brad). The last time we ran Puffing Billy
was 2012 (1hr 16min). This time I was simply running it for fun! I knew the course
was beautiful and vibe was exciting. There were also hills (which was good
preparation for GOR).
Previous to this event, I ran Princess Park
50km (4 weeks earlier) and 35km training run (2 weeks earlier). I’d also hit
the hills. I knew I could last the distance but had no clue how to tackle it… Should I go fast? Should I take it easy?
Should I walk the hills? My Achilles was a bit sore due to hill repeats
(but it was tolerable). I had no plan but that was OK.
The night before race day, I prepared my bag
with a change of clothes (weather forecast was a chance of rain). I selected my
running attire; long tights, black singlet, long-sleeve top, Injinji socks,
Brooks Glycerin runners, Garmin 235 and a windbreaker! I took my iPod and
Ventolin (cold weather had exacerbated my asthma). I packed the car ready for
an early morning.
Race day –
I woke at 6:30am and
snuck out of our bedroom (Brad was sleeping). My eldest son was awake but I
expected that. I had a milo and I grabbed a muesli bar to eat in the car. It
took about an hour to reach Belgrave. There was plenty of parking behind the
shops on the main road. I parked the car and messaged my friends. They arrived a few minutes after me. We organised ourselves; trip to
the toilets, attached our bibs, collected our bags and headed over the road to
the start area. There was already a high-energy vibe in the air. The
temperature was cold but no rain. We took some photos and had a look around. We
walked down to Belgrave station and took more photos of the old steam trains.
I held onto my windbreaker until we had to drop our bags. I decided to run with
my long-sleeve top and Ventolin (which is the first time in years). My chest
was tight and I wanted Ventolin with me (as a safety net).
After visiting the
bag drop and chatting to a few people we knew, we headed to the start area. The
announcer made mention of sponsors and volunteers, and our national anthem was
performed. The countdown
finished and we started our race against the train! I
concentrated on my own race.
I started off feeling
good; legs felt strong and I could breathe pretty easy. The first few
kilometres were a reasonable pace; 4:42, 5min, 5:06, 4:45 and 4:38. I was
rolling with the hills, plodding uphill and making up for lost time on the
downhill. I took in the atmosphere, people and scenery. Belgrave and
surrounding suburbs are full of ferns and greenery (Mountain Ash trees are the tallest flowering plant in the world). I love running in nature! We heard the unmistakable
whistle of Puffing Billy and looked to our right. People waved and dangled
their legs over the edge of carriage rails. At the first train-crossing, I was forced to stop and wait for the train to pass.
I reached 5km in
under 25min. I find it interesting to reflect on my splits, however I wasn’t
focused on pace at the time. The changes in elevation made it too difficult. I
just ran! From 5-7km, we ran up a long, unrelenting, dirt hill. The course was
mainly on asphalt, with some dirt road and small sections of single-track
(non-technical). The air was fresh (cold) and unfamiliar flora and fauna irritated
my lungs. I inhaled Ventolin (which elevated my heart rate). It made breathing
easier but I prefer not to take it while running (I don’t like feeling my HR increase). My next two splits were 5:41
and 5:44 (both approximately 50m elevation gain). I put my head down and
Cliffy-shuffled. I vaguely remembered the climb from previously years and held
steady until the top. The following two kilometres were much easier and I ran
sub 5min pace. There were drink stations along the way (4km and 7km mark) but I
didn’t take any notice. I didn’t have any fuel with me, just Ventolin and my
iPod. The atmosphere, variety, people and of course, the sounds of Puffing
Billy were engaging and I never used my iPod.
At 10km (about
50min), we crossed over the train-tracks at Emerald station (ahead of the
second train). There were people cheering from the sidelines (always fun running through small towns and
seeing the locals get involved). We veered right and there was a drink
station, but I had no need to stop. I continued running onto the single-track
section. There were trees over-hanging slightly and some twists and turns. The
hills were practically over and I was feeling warmed up (sometimes it takes me awhile). The last few kilometres were easy to navigate, a few corners but lots of
fun! My splits were; 4:43, 4:25 and 4:34. I was really happy with that. I
crossed the finish line in 1hour 5min.
Post-race –
After I crossed the line, I bumped into a few familiar faces and
compared notes. We bought ourselves a drink and agreed we’d catch the train back to Belgrave
(even though it took longer than the bus). There’s nothing quite like a ride on
the famous Puffing Billy! We admired the ferny gullies and famous timber bridges. The views were spectacular!
“Spectators are required to have
pre-purchased a Puffing Billy ticket, but runners bibs are the tickets for
competitors. Trains leave Emerald at; 11:00am, 11:20am, 11:50am, 1:10pm and
3:30pm. The ride is suitable for all ages and everyone
can hang their legs over the side of the carriage.”
Later we look up results and discovered the 1st train finished in 55min 24 sec and the second train finished in 72min 9sec. I finished in 65min (knocking off 11mins since the last time I ran it in 2012)! There were some super quick runners on the day with the lead male finishing in 43:10 and lead female in 49:12! Also, special mention to Chris O'Brien for a sub 60min.
Lessons –
1. Hills are a great way to improve strength and speed!
2. Have fun!
Race feedback and will there
be a next time -
The Great Train Race is an event that everyone should try! It’s
an achievable distance for everyone and the novelty of racing against Puffing
Billy is fun and exciting. The hills are challenging but there is no shame in
walking certain sections. The volunteers and spectators are wonderful. I’d
highly recommend this well-organised, fun, iconic Melbourne event to all of
you!
“The Great
Train Race isn't simply a race amongst the competitors - it's an exciting
challenge competing against the steam locomotive, Puffing Billy! The
race route extends 13.5 km's through the hills and fern gullies of the
picturesque Dandenong Ranges from Belgrave to Emerald Lake Park.”
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