Annual fun run steams to huge donation and participation numbers

By Oliver Shedden

Oct 6, 2024

Participants take off at the start of the 5km race. Photos: Aidan Briggs Photo by Aidan Briggs

Sweat vs Steam was back in action for its 2024 iteration where nearly 550 athletes took to the 10km, 5km and junior courses to see if they could outrun the PS Pevensey.

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The event, held on Sunday, October 6, at Hopwood Gardens raised roughly $13,000 for community groups such as Echuca-Moama Beacon Foundation, Echuca-Moama Canoe Club, Bamawm-Lockington United Cricket Club, Mathoura Public School, Bunnaloo Public School, Echuca Moama Athletics, Rochester Primary School, Echuca South Cricket Club, Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist School and Echuca Moama Cycling Club.

Three junior athletes — golfer Rivah Taylor, snow skier Tor Kenley and pistol shooter Eli Powderly — also received a portion of the donations.

Hayley Waterson won the female 10km category. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Phoebe Cameron won the female junior 2km event, while Riley Henger won the boys’ 2km category.

Riley Wilkinson won the 5km men’s event with Jon McAsey coming in second, which was the opposite to last year, where McAsey won and Wilkinson came in second.

Sisters Sophie and Katelyn Eddy tied the 5km women’s category. Photo by Aidan Briggs

The 5km women’s event saw sisters Katelyn and Sophie Eddy tie for first while their sister Matilda came in third, the family sweeping the podium.

Hayley Waterson, who claimed the women’s 10km title, is a local runner, as is the men’s 10km winner, Archie Reid, who claimed his second title in the same event in as many years.

Kids were all smiles as they lined up for the junior dash. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Reid spoke about the event and expressed joy in seeing people being active in his local community.

“It's always great to support a local event,” he said.

“It was great to see so many people out exercising in the beautiful Port of Echuca, that’s what it’s all about.”

The *Pevensey* was slower than usual due to a strong head wind. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Event organiser and Echuca-Moama Triathalon Club president Sarah Mulkearns was thrilled to see how many people were at the event and how it brought the community together.

“We had big crowds and many people supporting which was great to see. It was our biggest turnout for a number of years, so it was wonderful to see,” she said.

Archie Reid won the men’s 10km category for the second time in as many years. Photo by Aidan Briggs

“Everyone loved the new course, being back on the banks of the river and close to the Murray was fantastic, it was a beautiful sight.

“The event brings the community together as a whole, whether you’re participating, watching or volunteering, everyone is helping to raise that money to go back into the community.”