In the end, you can’t keep a good running festival down…

Bucking the trend of reduced entries that many central west events have suffered in recent times, Dubbo Stampede is looking at increased numbers this year.

Things are definitely looking up for one of the region’s top sporting and fundraising celebrations with hundreds of entrants already locked in for this year’s Sunday, September 6 celebration, organiser Cameron Coggan told Dubbo Photo News.

“It’s on again on Father’s Day, as it’s been for the last couple of years, and which was originally the way it was when we started it out at the zoo,” Cameron explained.

“We wanted to go back to Father’s Day as it fitted in well with the running calendar. A lot of our competitors have very full schedules for races and this fitted in nicely,” he added.

As its name suggests, the event always had strong links to Taronga Western Plains Zoo, one of its unique attractions, Cameron revealed.

“We were out at there for 10 or 11 years… I don’t know of any other running events run through a working zoo, none that I’m aware of.

“It was a big event though and took-up a good four hours each year, and that required a lot of coordination and assistance from the staff.”

The move to central Dubbo, as well as being more convenient for many runners, also allows more flexibility in how the event is organised.

“Now it’s behind the main street at Ollie Robbins Oval, our location for this year and last.

“It just allows us to do our own thing a bit more without inconveniencing the Zoo, and Council are great with the help they offer!” Cameron confessed.

Feedback from runners, spectators, officials, and organisers seemed to be that the move was a success.

“Last yeas was the first one out of the zoo, and we worked hard to get our courses certified,” Cameron said.

“We get to cross the river, which is great fun for the runners, but we still go though the zoo for the marathon and half-marathon races,” Cameron said.

With races ranging from the 5km “Dingo Dash” to the full marathon 42km “Rhino Ramble” the Dubbo Stampede has an event for everyone!

“Entries are pretty good, we have about 1200 so far, which is a bit better than last year at this stage,” Cameron declared.

“With about a month to go, we estimate that we ‘ll get about 1800 runners all-up.”

High fuel prices, long-term closure of Victoria Pass, and subdued economic conditions, have proven no barrier to those who come to the Orana each year for this special occasion, Cameron believes.

“It doesn’t seem to have had any impact, though we have done a bit more advertising in out-of-town markets in Sydney and Canberra.

“We’ve done TV advertising, boosted Facebook posts, and in specialist other media,” Cameron said.

The race meet’s high standing outside the central west is key to the number of entrants from other areas, which also provides much-needed tourism dollars for the region.

“Out of the runners, there would be half that are not locals; which is a good effort.

“It does bring people to the region from Sydney, and they often stay the two days; many use it as a weekend away,” he said.

Last but definitely not least, he highlighted the work behind the scenes to help make the fun and competitive sporting festivities of the day a continuing success.

“We would have 100 people volunteer in one way or another – course officials, time-keepers, on the drink stands, and the organising committee,” Cameron said.

“Last year we donated about $10,000… any money we raise, goes towards people in the community that need it the most,” he concluded.

For more information, go to: www.dubbostampede.com.au