news
6 August 2021
After much consideration, Race the Train will not go ahead this year. Unfortunately there is still too much uncertainty to lock in a date with any confidence. While this is disappointing news we are hopeful of having RTT back on the calendar in 2022.
Thank you to all past (and future!) participants who make this such a vibrant community event.
While Race the Train may be on hiatus you can still ride the many trails throughout the Mount Alexander region or even support our friends of the VGR by enjoying a day out on the train.
We hope to see you out on the track in 2022!
21 October 2019
This year, everyone who registers to ride in Race the Train could be a winner! ALL ENTRANTS over 18 go into the draw to win a chance to drive a steam train with Victorian Goldfields Railway …
Valued at $2200 the winner of the prize will get a chance to drive a steam train on a return trip between Maldon and Castlemaine. This is truly one to cross off the bucket list as you receive instruction from an experienced driver, before taking to the helm yourself driving the train (under supervision of course!) for a return trip between Maldon and Castlemaine. You’ll also be treated to delicious lunch and a year’s membership with the Castlemaine & Maldon Railway Preservation Society!
To be in the running for this fabulous prize all you have to do is register, so you really can race fast or slow and still be in the running to win!
31 January 2019
Race the Train…Back on Track!
After a brief hiatus in 2018 the ‘Race the Train: the Goldfields Steam Train Challenge’ gravel and mountain bike race is set to return in November 2019 under the management of events company Sport Projects. Established in 2012 this event sees participants take on the Victorian Goldfields Railway (VGR) Steam Train, with competitors trying to beat the train from Castlemaine to Maldon. Up until last year the event was run by Cranked Up Events, under the guidance of Paula Ewing as a one-person show. After five years, Ms Ewing stepped down as organiser and sought new management for the event. Sport Projects will now organise the 2019 ‘Race the Train’, set to take place on Saturday 16 November 2019.
Managing Director of Sport Projects, Steve Peterson stated “as a cycling event it has several points of difference. The novelty of ‘racing the train’, the ride between old goldfields towns and the stunning natural setting. It is also a challenging but very accessible race. It has all the ingredients of a drawcard event.” Sport Projects are responsible for organising some of the largest sporting events in Victoria including the Herald Sun-Citylink Run for the Kids and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
Mr Peterson praised the former director Ms Ewing saying “she managed and grew this event, almost entirely on her own. It’s a spectacular achievement. We are excited to take over such a well-established race and look forward to growing it even further. I really think this has the potential to become a marquee event for the region and for the state of Victoria.”
Over five years the event has built a dedicated following increasing from 120 participants in 2012 to 342 in 2017 and has enabled the Victorian Goldfields Railway (VGR) to raise significant funds, by cross promoting the event and the railway, building awareness for the VGR. Andrew Reynolds, Marketing Manager of the VGR is excited to see the event continue. “This event is important to us and the local community and it is great news that it will re-emerge on the calendar for 2019. It not only promotes our railway but is also an opportunity to showcase one of the few remaining heritage steam railways in Victoria. We look forward to being part of this special event once again in 2019 and we will be sure to get ‘train-ing’.”
Mount Alexander Shire Council is pleased to see the event re-launched in the region. David Leathem, Manager Economy and Culture said “Paula Ewing did a fantastic job organising this event and we are really happy to see it continue under new management. Seeing such a professional organisation take over the event is a good sign of the value of this iconic event in our region. It’s a great way to increase tourism and we look forward to working with Sport Projects to help the event realise its future potential.”
Registrations will open in the coming weeks. To stay up to date with all the Race the Train news and access special offers make sure you sign up to the Race the Train newsletter via the website www.racethetrain.com.au and follow the Race the Train Facebook page.
For any event enquiries including registration, sponsorship opportunities and to learn more about this unique event contact info@racethetrain.com.au