Run The Maine is back for its 18th edition this Grand Final Eve, Friday September 25.
The Midland Express and Castlemaine Mail are proud to be event sponsors and to have highlighted this year’s inspirational Run The Maine ambassadors. Catch the last instalment in today’s paper!
2025 was the biggest year yet—just under 1200 runners hitting the course and, thanks to you, RTM smashed their fundraising target.
Together, participants raised an incredible $50,000 for Dhelkaya Health towards the establishment of a Children’s Therapeutic Playground.
Run The Maine is more than just a fundraiser, it is a community celebration. From the steam train start to the finish line at Camp Reserve, experience a race day like no other.
There are just a few tickets left for the iconic Half Marathon (with runners taking the Victorian Goldfields Railway steam train to Maldon). Or you can tackle the challenging 10km bush run through the beautiful woodlands of the Walmer State Forest, or the relaxed 5km Run / Walk winding through Castlemaine’s stunning Botanical Gardens.
Run The Maine race director Gavin Krasner said it would be a brilliant spring day.
“The weather will be warm so we are urging our runners to be prepared and stay hydrated,” Gav said.
It will be an early start for volunteers with registration and bib collection opening at Camp Reserve at 7am. The train to the 21km at Maldon steams out at 8.15am for the 9.15am race start at Maldon.
The event will be officially opened at 9.40am at Camp Reserve with a Welcome to Country Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Uncle Rick Nelson and opening by Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards.
The 10km event starts at 10am and the 5km walk/run at 10.15am.
‘The Bird’ (aka Dr Richard Mayes) urges everyone to get down to the Camp and join the fun.
“Three more sleeps! This is it people! The day when Castlemaine pulls its runners on and comes together for a great cause. Run it. Walk it. Cheer it. Come for the atmosphere and stay for the fun! The Bird will be there!”
At the start/finish line at Camp Reserve there will be a food village with Rotary Castlemaine, Pizza de Wheels, Deja-Brew, MDA Twister Potato, Golden Wellness Juice and Smoothies, free massage tables, free spot prizes and a post race recovery activity with the crew from Movement Zone.
The event will wrap up at noon with presentations with Dhelkaya Health CEO Sue Race and Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards.
You can save $10 by registering online ahead of the event at runthemaine.org