Train driver Peter Stowell congratulates Matthew Johnson and Hanny Allston, the winners of the 2009 Puffing Billy Great Train Race. THOUSANDS of runners faced off against Puffing Billy on Sunday in one of the biggest endurance tests on the marathon calendar.
The 13.2 kilometre race attracted young and old competitors from across Victoria, with out-of-towners taking the finish-line honours.
Northcote’s Matthew Johnson took out the top prize in the men’s section, out-running Puffing Billy by more than 24 minutes.
He crossed the line at Emerald Lake Park in an impressive 42 minutes and 44 seconds, a full minute faster than last year’s winner.
The tourist train lost a bit of steam this year, dropping ten minutes on last year’s time, crossing the finish line in 66 minutes and 46 seconds.
Surrey Hills’ Hanny Allston won the female section with a finish time of 47 minutes and 7 seconds.
