Echuca’s iconic Sweat vs Steam running event was held on Sunday, November 16, with 670 participants across the 5km, 10km and kids’ dash events, but it was a Cobram native that beat all comers.

Nathan Stoate, who now lives in Bendigo, claimed the 10km title in a blistering 30:50, more than six minutes faster than last year’s winning time, albeit on a different course.

Stoate was almost two minutes clear of second place.

“He's one of the best runners in Australia, so it was good to have him,” event director Brady Threlfall said.

“He drove up from Bendigo and he surprised me, it's a bit twisty and turny and you have to slow down for those corners, and (there’s) a bit of off-road surface as well which isn't as fast as the road surface, but he blew through that course, which was really cool to see.”

In the 10km, runners raced from Hopwood Gardens in the Port of Echuca, around Scenic trail and Victoria Park, back through the Port and into aquatic reserve, before finishing the course not far from the start line at Hopwood Gardens.

“It was a really successful morning,” Threlfall said.

“We had great weather and good numbers and everything went smoothly, so we were really happy with it.”

One of the unique drawcards, as the name suggests, is that competitors endeavour to beat home one of Echuca’s famous paddle steamers, with the PS Pevensey again stepping up to take on the runners this year.

A target time of about 50 minutes was set for the Pevensey for the 10km event, but the paddle steamer was operating in peak condition and blew away the estimates to finish in a sharp 44:30.

Threlfall relayed Port officials jokingly claimed captain Adam “pushed the Pevensey so hard she almost caught fire” in setting that blistering pace.

Seventy finishers made it over the line ahead of the Pevensey ending with Jon Laughlin who finished in a dead heat with the vessel.

Perhaps tired from a fast 10km, the paddle steamer missed its estimate of 20 minutes for the 5km, finishing in 21:44.

Seventeen runners beat the paddle steamer in the 5km.

Carly Isaac (37:35) was the first female across the line in the 10km.

The 5km was won overall by Archie Reid (15:53), while the fastest female was Madi Cliff (19:56).

A regular competitor and winner of Sweat vs Steam’s past, Threlfall said there was a different feel to the event as an organiser.

“It was a lot more stressful what we were doing yesterday than racing, but you get a different kind of satisfaction out of seeing people compete and it's a great way to promote our town,” he said.

“My role is very much working with the volunteers as well, who gave up a few hours on their Sunday morning to make that possible.

“It was good to see the energy they brought and that event doesn't happen without the 50 volunteers we had yesterday.

“Some of them had small roles to play, but without them, you simply can't run it.

It was a different kind of feeling for me and probably more heartwarming than my heart absolutely pumping out of my chest trying to run as fast as I can.”

This year’s event directed all proceeds to Echuca Regional Health, with $14,335 raised.

Increased participation saw overall fundraising from the event reach its highest rate in five years.

Threlfall and online run coaching business Run2PB, which took over organisation this year, are already planning next year’s event and have locked in November 15, 2026 with Campaspe Shire.

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