Moving to November from its traditional October timeslot, to distance itself from other popular runs, the 10km and 5km distances have both sold out, with 660 entrants set to take to the course this year.
Co-race director Brady Threlfall, who has competed in the race regularly over the years, is now in the organisers’ chair, supported by his partners at online run-coaching business Run2PB.
The group took on the event after the Echuca Moama Triathlon Club opted to step out of the management role.
Threlfall, who said he can’t wait for the horn to sound at 8am Sunday morning for the start of the 10km run, was thrilled to see the excellent entrant numbers.
“Running is really popular at the moment,” he said.
“A lot of races are selling out, and it’s a unique race as well.
“It’s probably the only race in the world where you get to race against a paddle steamer, and being November, it’s that fun time of the year when you can do a race that maybe isn’t a road marathon or something more serious.
“You can get away to a beautiful, touristy town like Echuca-Moama, and you can run against the paddle steamer.”
The adjusted course for this year will see 10km entrants start on Watson St, near Hopwood Gardens, travelling north along Scenic Dve and making a lap of Scenic Trail, keeping the Murray and Campaspe rivers close by.
Upon returning to the Port of Echuca, runners will then do a loop of Aquatic Reserve, before hitting the finish line back at Hopwood Gardens.
Threlfall designed the course to showcase the unique drawcards of the event.
“We really want to lean into that you’re racing a paddle steamer, so get as close to it as possible,” he said.
“There are some special moments when I’ve been in the race previously where you’re literally running on a path that’s 10-15m away from where the paddle steamer is on the water.
“Especially for the tourists coming into the town, I just want to show them the best parts of the town.”
The 5km runners, who start at 9am, will complete a shorter loop through Victoria Park before crossing the finish line on their return to Hopwood Gardens.
All racers will be hoping to get home before the PS Pevensey, with Threlfall expecting the paddle steamer to set a challenging but beatable benchmark this year.
Participants will need to target about 50 minutes in the 10km race, and 20 minutes in the 5km edition to beat the historic vessel home.
While the main races may be sold out, tickets are still available to join team Pevensey and ‘run’ the race, or spectate friends and family, from aboard the paddle steamer itself, at a discount from regular cruises.
Along with the adult runs, the 500m and 1km junior dashes will also be held for kids under 12, starting about 9.50am, with places still available.
Threlfall said taking on the co-race director role had been a challenge, but heaped praise on the organisations and volunteers who will make Sunday’s event a reality.
“Racing in races all over the world, there are a lot of things that you probably take for granted, and there are a lot of moving parts when you organise a race,” he said.
“The Port of Echuca have been great and you’re talking to the council, who’ve also been great, and then the timing companies and the sponsors and our volunteers.
“We’ve got 65 different individuals helping us out on Sunday morning who are all giving up their time for the cause and the race.
“(There’s) a lot of moving parts that sometimes I’ve taken for granted over the years, and when you’re out there running, you don’t realise they’re happening.”
All proceeds from this year’s Sweat vs Steam will be directed to Echuca Regional Health.
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