One of Echuca-Moama’s biggest and most unique annual fun runs, Sweat vs Steam, is back again for 2024 and is taking place this weekend.

On Sunday, October 6, participants will race against the iconic PS Pevensey in various distances and categories.

There will be a 10km and 5km fun run, in which entrants will race the paddle steamer, as well as junior events such as a 2km run and dash.

The first event will begin at 8am and all runs will finish about 10am where there will be multiple activities for families such as a barbecue, a coffee van and free air brush tattoos.

The first Sweat vs Steam event was in 1998 as a 21km half-marathon with fewer than 50 participants, run by the YMCA.

The Echuca Moama Triathalon Club took over the event a number of years ago and has worked tirelessly to grow the event, which this year will have about 500 participants.

In 2023, a good portion of runners managed to be beat the paddle steamer, but organiser Sarah Mulkearns said the PS Pevensey skipper would look to up the ante this year.

“The five and 10km events race the paddle steamer and last year 30 per cent of our field beat it,” she said.

“The skipper of the Pevensey said that he is trying to crank it up this year and go faster, so that’ll be exciting to see.”

Ultimately, the main purpose of the event is to raise money for local community groups, and Mulkearns and the triathlon club are aiming high for their donation total this year.

Mulkearns also highlighted the amount of support for the event the triathlon club receives every year and how it goes a long way in preparing the club for summer.

“We are aiming to raise $10,000 for community groups this year. They can apply for a grant through our website, and we’ll divide the money up among successful applicants,” she said.

“It’s fantastic to have so much support and people behind the event because everyone that organises it is a volunteer, so we encourage participants to thank those volunteers who put on this amazing fun run.

“Everyone at the triathlon club is super excited because our triathlon season is just around the corner, so this is a great warm-up for us and gets the community engaged with running.”

If you wish to particpate in Sweat vs Steam visit 2024 — Sweat vs Steam — Race Roster — Registration, Marketing, Fundraising

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