IT gobbles fuel and emits smoke and steam like a legendary dragon, but the historic 75-year-old steam train K163 is a drawcard for children where it is stabled at Moorooduc railway station.
The engine will be all fired up on Sunday (19 March) when the train again takes to the tracks to see if it can beat a bunch of fleet-footed children.
Mt Eliza Rotary Club’s annual kids’ fun run is open to children aged three to 12 and has graded distances (150-1200 metres) according to competitors’ ages.
The children race on a separate purpose built and secure track alongside the locomotive.
As well as running, children at the event can enjoy such free activities as face painting, balloon sculptors, an animal farm, adventure vegetable garden, show bags, and the CFA along with food and drinks stands.
Mornington Railway Preservation Society will also be running train rides to Mornington.
Money raised by Rotary at the fun run will help buy a specialist infant transport incubator for newborn babies in Peninsula Health’s paediatric unit at Frankston Hospital. The paediatric unit provides care to children from the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston.
The fun run activities will be held 10am-1pm Sunday 19 March at Moorooduc station, Moorooduc Highway, Moorooduc (Melway 105/K9).
Details: www.mycause.com.au/events/funrunk163.
Registrations for the run can be made online and on the day at the station at least one hour before a run.