Teacher and professional runner Brady Threlfall is at the helm this year with the backing of his fellow run coaching business co-founders from Run2PB.
After first running the race in 2009 — which helped convince him to move to Echuca-Moama from Bendigo — Threlfall’s ownership of Sweat vs Steam is a full-circle moment.
Having run competitively across the world for many years, he said racing alongside familiar faces at home was always a calendar highlight.
“You do so much training here, but you might only get to do a competitive race twice a year, so that’s why it’s special to me,” Threlfall said.
“I've been in this race so many times that I’m happy to have a different hat on this time and watch.”
Threlfall has taken first-place in the annual event on 10 occasions, and come in second place a handful of times as well.
When the Echuca Moama Traithlon Club put the event out to tender due to time constraints and a stronger focus on its multi-sport weekend, he encouraged friends in the running community to take it on board.
The club then asked Threlfall to take the reins when no-one stepped up, so he pitched the idea to his company’s co-owners Zac Newman and Matt Davy, based in Melbourne.
“They were both great. Considering it’s not their local community, they were happy to get around it,” Threlfall said.
“They’ve both been running for 25 years, and they know how important these events are. And I think the uniqueness of racing a paddlesteamer is something that you get nowhere else.”
Newman and Davy’s reach has helped to draw participants from outside town, with entrants from Victoria’s Surf Coast and metropolitan areas already signing up.
One of the team’s first decisions was to hold the event in November to give potential runners time to recover from the Melbourne Marathon, held in mid-October.
Partly inspired by Run for the Kids, a Melbourne-based fun run that raises money for the Good Friday Appeal, the team also opted to send the event’s proceeds to Echuca Regional Health.
In previous years, local groups could apply for the event’s revenue, but Threlfall said the entire community would see benefits from funding the hospital.
“I think everyone in Echuca-Moama is probably going to spend some time in here (the hospital): hopefully not long, but throughout their lifetime,” he said.
“Our main goal is to keep the event alive, and if we can give the profits to a local organisation, and give people an opportunity to race in their town, that’s all we wanted to do.”
ERH chief executive Carol-Anne Lever sincerely thanked the Sweat vs Steam committee for choosing the hospital as this year’s beneficiary.
“Your generosity directly supports vital local health initiatives and helps strengthen the wellbeing of our community,” she said.
“Running is such a powerful reminder that physical activity nurtures both body and mind, supporting better mental health for all.”
The event kicks off at 8am on Sunday, November 16, and registrations for the 5km, 10km and 1km dash events are still open.
Threlfall said anyone wanting to volunteer for the event would be welcome to join in the team fun, and he encouraged people to bring speakers and their cheering voices.
Discounted tickets to see the race aboard the PS Pevensey are also available, with more information at sweatvssteam.com.au
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