Full steam ahead for Great Rail Run following record-breaking event

RIVER Run Geelong broke its participation record for the third consecutive year with a sell-out 1350 entrants at the event held last Sunday.

Will Newton won the men’s 10-kilometre race by the Barwon River in 32.36 minutes ahead of Cameron Smith (33.00) and Pat Hagan (33.20).

Nikki Curry took out the women’s run in 36.30 followed by Fleur Barling (37.18) and Sara Coulter (38.03).

Meanwhile, Gus Augustine crossed the line first in the 5km in 15.20 and Geelong’s Maggie Clatworthy was the fastest female in 19.58.

River Run director and PB Events owner Justin Higgins was thrilled with the turnout and anticipates the event, which started in 2012, will go from strength to strength.

It has grown from about 1000 participants two years ago and the cap last year was 1150.

“I’d imagine it will continue to grow but we’ll probably not ever go over 1500 so that it’s a bit more comfortable around the track; we don’t want to be too crowded,” he said.

The physical education teacher added it was great to see so many young runners involved due to the health benefits.

Attention now turns to the Great Rail Run on May 4, which includes a half-marathon, 17km and 10km along the Bellarine Rail Trail.

The half-marathon is an out-and-back course from Drysdale Station while the 17km and 10km runners will try to beat the train from Queenscliff to Drysdale station.

The half-marathon and 17km are limited to 400 runners each while the 10km is limited to 150.

A three-runner relay team can also take on the 17km.

PB events is managing the rail run and raising money for the Bellarine Railway.