It is an endurance race with a difference, and left hundreds of runners well out of puff.
But around 300 runners tried to beat the Strathspey Steam Railway at the weekend – and at the same time raise the profile and funds of a local charity.
A couple of athletes actually steamed across the line ahead of the much-loved train during the event at Aviemore on Saturday.
The event was organised by Disability Snowsport UK, based at Glenmore Lodge in Aviemore.
Runners took the steam railway train through to Boat of Garten and then raced against the train back to Aviemore.
In first place was 18-year-old Stuart Gardiner, a runner with Inverness Harriers, with a time of 26m 16s – just beating the train, which arrived at 28 minutes.
Second was Tim Cooke, again of Inverness Harriers, with a time of 27m 50s.
It wasn’t all about beating the train, as there was a family trio of Scott, Nicola and Chris Paterons, who all dressed in kilts for the run.
Disability Snowsport UK is a national charity with its heart in the Cairngorms.
The charity has been providing adaptive snowsports for over 40 years.
When DSUK opened its adaptive ski school on Cairngorm in 1994 it was the first adaptive snowsport school in Europe.
Kirsty Bruce, of DSUK, said: “It’s a good community partnership between DSUK, Cairngorm Runners and Strathspey Steam Railway.
“We have been lucky to receive some sponsorship from Route7 Café too. I really hope to grow our Race the Train into a good cross community event.
“DSUK create life changing opportunities that develop independence, self-worth and create memorable fun experiences for those living with a disability through our adaptive snowsport programmes.
“We have six centres throughout the UK and it is possible to ski with DSUK year-round.”