Puffing Billy Race May 5th

This is a terrific event and I am glad I came. The race is run against the tourist steam train called the Puffing Billy, starting at Belgrave and finishing 13.2kms later at Emerald in the picturesque Dandenong Ranges.

The Drivers fill the Engine with Gatorade!

Entries were limited to 3200, and the event was very laid back compared to the C2S.
All the vols and train staff were super friendly and clearly look forward to the event. It was well organised.
The day was cool with drizzling rain. Perfect for running. After Mike Brady sang the national anthem we were off. The first 2ks were downhill before a  long uphill. The hill was long but not steep. I got to 5k in 18.40. Then there was a long flat section before another very long hill.
All the time you could hear the steam train coming closer, its whistle echoing through the valley. Really motivating. Michele, Honor and Serena were on the train, and they reported that at the start the driver ran the length of the platform with a start bib on to the cheers and delight of the passengers.
I reached 10k in just over 40 minutes going up the big hill. The train normally gets in to Emeral around 51 to 53 minutes so I was quite confident that I would make that easily. The train was coming up a cutting alongside us and I slowed down a bit to watch it. It was struggling with wheel spin which produced a terrific high speed chuffing noise. But I was too busy watching the train to realise that there was a level crossing on top of the hill! Uh oh!!When I realised what that meant I started sprinting but too late,  a vol pull a mesh barrier across the road to let the train through. Ha ha. That'll teach me to loose concentration It worked out well though, because as I stood waiting the train passed and Michele, Hon and Serena saw me and we exchanged cheers. That was fun. It took several minutes for the train to pass and I knew I need to be at Emerald station 3k away in 10 minutes to sure of beating the train. Fortunately it was mostly downhill.
Thankfully I felt good and was soon overtaking runners as we left the downhill road and ran along a level foot track for 1.5k. Then we came into a park area and a very steep muddy downhill. I went for broke and rocketed down the slope. Finally there was just 500m to go, round a few bends then a short uphill pinch. Across the line in 52.55. Great fun.
I ran out to the end of the platform and waiting for the train which came in about 3 or 4 minutes later.
After a cup of tea we caught the train back together to Belgrave and then had a very pleasant lunch at the cinema cafe. Then we spent several hours exploring Fitzroy and Melbourne CBD.
Very enjoyable event. Look forward to breaking 50 minutes next year.