ONLINE ENTRIES WILL OPEN ON December 25
Date: Sunday May 4, 2025
Distances: 21.1km 17km, 10km, and 3 leg, 17km Relay events
Start Times/Locations:
17km 8:00am (From Queenscliff Station)
10km - 8:25am (From Suma Park Station) - Train Departs Queenscliff at 8am
21.1km 8:20am (From Drysdale Station)
All events Finish Location: Drysdale Railway Station for all distances
HALF MARATHON (Field limited to 400 runners)
Starting and finishing at Drysdale Station this out and back course along the Bellarine rail trail is sure impress with spectacular country views and an off Road Surface.
17km (Field limited to 400 runners)
The Great Rail Run 17km course from Queenscliff Railway Station to Drysdale Railway Station along the picturesque Bellarine Rail Trail. The Steam Train starts its journey after the runners begin and goes full steam ahead to beat all participants. Can you beat the train to Drysdale. (Anticipated time is 1hour 15 minutes)
10km (Field limited to 150 participants)
Catch the Steam Train from Queenscliff to Suma Park Station as it chases the 17km runners. At Suma Park Station you will jump off the train and begin the 10km run to Drysdale Station.
Entries are strictly limited to the first 150 registrations. Be quick as this event is sure to sell out fast.
There is NO PARKING or PUBLIC ACCESS at Suma Station so you must catch the train from Queenscliff to the start line.
However, you can park on Portarling-Queenscliff Road and walk approx 500m to Suma Park Station
THE GREAT RELAY RUN (Field limited to 50 relay teams)
Get a group of three together and take on The Great Rail Relay Run. All runners will be shuttled by coach to their starting points and, on completing their leg, shuttled to the finish line. Visit the TRANSPORT page of this website for details.
First leg: Queenscliff Railway Station to Fellows Road intersection, approx. 4.4km
Second leg: Fellows Road intersection to Swan Bay Road intersection, approx. 7.1km
Third leg: Swan Bay Road intersection to Drysdale Railway Station, Approx. 5.5km
RETURN TRAIN TRIP AND BUS SHUTTLES
Please view Transport Tab for more details.
PRESERNTATION CEREMONY
17km, 10km and Relay Presentations will take place at approximately 9:45am
Half Marathon presentation will take place at approximately 10:15am
AGE GROUPS and TROPHIES
Junior (13-17yrs), 18-29 yrs, 30-39 yrs, 40-49 yrs, 50-59yrs, 60-69yrs, 70+ yrs
All times and positions will be based on Gun Time (not Net Time)
Winners and place getters in each age group will reieve Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.
Overall male and female winners of the 21.1km, 17km and 10km events will receive a trophy. Trophies will be awarded to the winning teams in the Relay (Male, Female and Mixed Teams).
COURSE RECORDS
17km - Daniel Hutchinson 57:37 (2015) Aleara Wallace 1:04:19 (2015)
10km - John Nicola 30:09 (2014) Gemma Berry 45:49 (2015)
Half Marathon - Yet to be set!
PERSONALISED BIBS
Have your name, nickname or message printed on your race bib!
This feature is only available to those who register before March 10.
RACE NUMBER PICK UPS
This year you have the option of having your race bibs posted to you prior to the event. A fee of $7.50 applies to this option. Bibs will be posted on Thursday April 17, 2025. (Postage option not available after April 10).
Bibs can also be collected at the start line (Queenscliff for 17km & 10km events) and Drysdale (for half marathon) from 7am on Race morning.
DRINKS AND FIRST AID
Safety is the priority of the Great Rail Runs. There will be 4 drink stations positioned on course at approximately 3km, 6km,10km, 12km as well as at the finish line.
First Aid will be both at the finish line and, for added safety, mobile first aid on bicycles along the course.
We will also have several mobile volunteers on bikes, along the course to assist where needed.
BAG STORAGE
There will be bag storage available. Bags from the 17km, 10k and relay (starting at Queenscliff) will be transported from Queenscliff Station to Drysdale Station for collection after the run is complete. Please ensure no valuable items are left in bags.
PREPARATION AND TRAINING
PLEASE ENSURE YOU ARE WELL HYDRATED PRIOR TO YOUR RUN. YOU SHOULD BE CONFIDENT OF BEING FIT ENOUGH TO FINISH THE EVENT IN A SAFE MANNER.
ROAD CROSSINGS
All road crossings will be manned by a specialist traffic management company. Runners must follow the direction of the trained Traffic Controllers.
Pets are NOT allowed on the Great Rail Runs.
Ipods are allowed, however please play at a volume that does not disturb other runners and a volume you are able to hear course marshals instructions
ONLINE ENTRIES WILL OPEN ON DECEMBER 26
January 1 - January 31
Half Marathon - $80
17KM - $70
10km - $50
17km Relay - $100 (per team of 3)
February 1 - March 16
Half Marathon - $85
17km - $75
10km - $55
17Km Relay - $110 (per team of 3)
March 17 - April 15
Half Marathon - $90
17km - $80
10km - $60
17Km Relay - $120 (per team of 3)
April 16 - May 2
Half Marathon - $100
17km - $85
10km - $62
17Km Relay - $130 (per team of 3)
RACE DAY ENTRIES
Half Marathon - $110
17km - $95
10km - 70
17km Relay (per team of 3) - $150
The 10km entry fee includes 7km Steam Train ride to the start Line.
The Great Relay Run entry fee includes all bus transport to and from relay points (see transport page)
Important Dates
RACE DAY ENTRIES
Entries will be taken on the day of the event if field limits are not met. Race day entries can be cash or card.
Entries will not be taken on race day for the RELAY event.
REFUNDS POLICY
January 1 - February 1 - Refunds can be received with a $10 administration fee deducted.
February 1 - April 1 - Refunds can be issued with a $20 administration fee deducted.
April 1 - Race Day - No Refunds will be issued
Refunds can be requested by emailing justin@pbevents.com.au.
In the unlikely event that this run is cancelled due to unforseen circumstances, a full refund, less $10 administration fee will be issued to all registered participants.
The Great Rail Run takes place along the spectacular Bellarine Rail Trail. The Bellarine Rail Trail is flat from Queenscliff to Point Lonsdale and then has a gentle incline to Drysdale. The course is off-road, on a good surface for running, safe, and with spectacular views of the area. All road crossing will be patrolled by professional traffic management services. (IMAGES OF COURSE BELOW MAP)
All runners should be aware that the Rail Trail is a public trail which will NOT be closed for this event, so there is a high likely hood of other runners and bike riders using the trail on the day in either direction
COURSE IMAGES
Below are some images taken out on the Bellarine Rail Trail to give you an idea of the great course on offer.
Some of the details below are still to be confirmed.
10km Run
Transport to the start line at Suma Park will be provided as part of registration
17km Relays
Transport (by Bus) to the relay change over positions will be provided as part of the team registration. Buses will leave Queenscliff Station at 7:45am.
Both second and third relay runners will need to board the bus at this time.
Buses will remain at relay change over 1 & 2 until the last runner passes and then take participants to the finish line at Drysdale
DRYSDALE TO QUEENSCLIFF RETURN TRANSPORT
Return transport to Queenscliff IS NOT included as part of the registration fee.
However, the following services will be provided for return travel (limited Spots available)
Return Steam Train to Queenscliff - Approximately 10:15am depart Drysdale - $20 (total of 150 spots available)
Return Shuttle Bus to Queenscliff - Approximately 10:15am & 11:00am (total of 100 spots available per shuttle)
Return Train or bus can be purchased as part of the registration process
