MORE than 3100 people laced up their runners and braved the weather in an bid to beat Puffing Billy over a 13.5km track.
The 33rd Puffing Billy Great Train Race was held on 4 May and attracted people young and old from across the state.
But it was a local man, Cockatoon resident Craig Appleby, who was the first to cross the finish line in 43 minutes and 32 seconds.
Mr Appleby, a teacher at Emerald Primary School, has been taking part in the event for about 10 years and finished in second place last year.
“I was thrilled to finally win the race and was delighted to see some of my students at the finish line cheering me on,” he said.
The first woman to cross the line was Moorooduc resident Sarah Klein who finished in 49 minutes and 35 seconds.
Puffing Billy Railway special events manager Matt Collopy said Ms Klein was also the first woman to finish the race last year and he hoped she would try and defend her title next year.
There were 464 runners who beat the tourist icon Puffing Billy, which crossed the line in 60 minutes and 26 seconds.
Oakleigh East resident Craig Semple, who won in 2002 and 2006, finished in third place this year and won the Veteran Male, aged 40 and over. Richmond resident Julia Edwards was the third woman to cross the line and won the Veteran Female, aged 40 years and over.
The Under 18 Male winner was Vaughan Smith from Balwyn who finished in 49 minutes and 48 seconds. The Under 18 Female winner was Petra Ruhl from Endeavour Hills who ran in 59 minutes and 51 seconds.
Other notable runners included Bernard Leddin, Peter Field and Paul Menara who have competed in every Puffing Billy race for 33 years.
“Paul managed this feat after completing the 100km Oxfam Trailwalker at 3pm the day prior to our race,” Mr Collopy said.
John Lewin from Glen Iris was the oldest competitor, aged 81. He finished the race in 122 minutes and 52 seconds.
April Gibson from Mitcham was the oldest woman competing the race, aged 70, and completed it in 90 minutes and 23 seconds.
Darth Vadar also made an appearance for the special event. Michelle Bayley from Traralgon dressed as the Star Wars character in recognition of International Star Wars Day, which has the slogan “May the fourth be with you.”
The not-for-profit tourism organisation- the Puffing Billy Society- successfully raised about $90,000 from the event. The funds will go towards restoration of Garratt Locomotive NGG 16-129 which was purchased in the 1990s from South Africa. The restoration cost is anticipated to be over $3million dollars.
Mr Collopy said Puffing Billy was currently having its engine units worked on and undergoing the construction of a new boiler, but refurbishment was far from complete.
The Great Train Race wishes to thank Yarra Valley Water, Brooks, Active Feet and Gatorade for their ongoing support.
Next year, the Great Train Race will take place on 3 May, 2015. For more information and for a full list of winners visit www.puffingbill.com.au.
