The reigning winner of the 10km event in 2019 celebrated the birth of his child Hudson several days beforehand in a special run, but that race also held the distinction of being his 10th victory.
Threlfall estimates he’s been running the Sweat vs Steam since 2009 and has won every race he has started pitted against the Murray paddle-steamers.
“I’m looking forward to it being back on after a couple of years off,” Threlfall said.
“I think I ran it first in 2009, and talking to my wife the other night, I think I’ve won it maybe 10 times from 10 starts.
“We’ve had a couple of different courses over the journey and this Sunday looks likes another one again.
“When you have a successful event like that there have been some good memories all around.”
Since he started, Threlfall has seen the event evolve into one of Echuca-Moama’s most iconic races.
“I remember one of the years I was teaching at St Mary’s, we had 100 parents and students; that was a big year, I think there was nearly 750 people,” he said.
“I’ve watched it grow and go up and down over the years and it’s just an iconic race for our town.
“It’s inclusive of everybody. You’ve got the kids’ race, you have a lot of people trying to beat the paddle-steamer, people who are trying to push themselves to run as quick as they can.
“The majority of the course is next to the Murray River which is pretty impressive, it’s an iconic spot to run.”
Threlfall is coming off a run at the Melbourne Marathon last week but explained that he was playing a different role in the event from previous years.
“My job was to pace make,” he said.
“I’m going to Spain for a marathon in the first week of December so it was a good way to do a training run and still be a part of the event without having to go full tilt.”
In the 5km, local runner Archie Reid is the reigning champion and is coming off a strong result at the Melbourne Marathon.
Reid earned a podium placing at the Melbourne Marathon in the 10km race, and has been a consistent performer at the Sweat vs Steam.
Rhianna Wik-Gamble holds the time for fastest female across the line in the 10km event in 2019, while Emily Cooper is the reigning winner of the 5km event.
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