Media

Register now! Don't miss out - limited places available 

Dubbo will play host to ultra-marathon runner Pat Farmer this September, after the former federal MP graciously accepted an invitation to participate in the inaugural Dubbo Stampede - the city’s new fun run carnival.

Farmer will serve as patron for the Dubbo Stampede, lending his support and offering guidance for the duration of the event.

The Dubbo Stampede will take place on Father’s Day, September 2 and will feature a 5km, 10km and half-marathon race, with the view to add a marathon in 2013.

Supported by the Taronga Western Plains Zoo, the competitors will run on a picturesque course around the zoo and past the iconic Macquarie River.

Registrations are now open by visiting our website www.dubbostampede.com.au

Chairman of the Dubbo Stampede Ian Crafter is delighted to have Farmer come on board.

“It’s a real feather in our cap to obtain the services of such a high-profile runner willing to come to Dubbo and share in the festivities,” Crafter said.

“Pat is not only a multiple world-record holder for endurance running but he is also dedicated to helping humanity as demonstrated by the millions of dollars he has raised for causes during his 20-year running career including Lifeline, Cancer Council, Diabetes Australia and the Red Cross. We are very honoured to have Pat as our patron.”

Farmer holds seven world records, including the fastest run around Australia - 15,000km in 191 days. He has twice crossed Australia’s desert centre on foot and also raced across the US, finishing fourth despite 50 days of running with a fractured leg.

The ultra-marathon athlete recently completed an epic 21,000-kilometre journey from the North Pole to the South Pole via Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America and South America.

It is anticipated that Farmer and his family will spend the weekend in Dubbo enjoying the local hospitality and may be on hand to sign copies of his latest book, in addition to acting as a guest speaker at a special function.Away from athletics, Farmer served for eight years as a member of the House of Representatives, with three years as Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Science and Training.

Sponsors of the Dubbo Stampede include Elders Insurance Western Plains, Dubbo City Council, Bosweb, St George Bank, Dubbo City Toyota, PRD Real Estate, Quest Apartments, Macquarie Anglican Grammar School, Mid West Foods, RSL Memorial Club, CYMS Old Boys, Inland Distributors, Leo Fardell Heavy Haulage and Earthmoving and Rhino Promotions.

Media partners include the Daily Liberal and Mail Box Shopper, WIN Television and Zoo FM.

Source - http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/95108/city-to-host-farmer-for-dubbo-stampede/ 

GETTING kids and families involved in the inaugural running of the Dubbo Stampede is paramount to the event’s success, according to organisers.

The first Dubbo Stampede will be held on Sunday, September 2, at Taronga Western Plains Zoo under the moniker ‘a running festival for everyone’.

Three events will be held on the day - the 5km ‘Dingo Dash’, the 10km ‘Cheetah Chase’ and the main race, the ‘Zebra Zoom’ over the half marathon distance of 21.1km.

The Zebra Zoom will also see competitors make their way out of the zoo and follow a scenic trail along the Macquarie River.

Last week members of the organising committee attended Macquarie Anglican Grammar School to drum up interest among school children, with committe member Bonnie Tratt saying it is vital to get younger people involved in the fun of the day.

“If we can get the kids interested, then we can get their families involved as well and this kind of event really is very family friendly,” she said.

“There’s an event for everyone, regardless of whether they want to walk or run, and with the zoo we have a facility that makes it appealing for lots of people to get involved.”

There is prize money for schools based on the number of registrations and the size of the school.

A teacher has been nominated in each local school to champion the involvement of their students, teachers and families.

While there is still more than two months to go until the festival is held, more than 150 entries have already been received and the committee are expecting somewhere in the vicinity of 1000.

“Often, people don’t nominate until much closer to the event but we want to raise awareness that there is no registering on the day, all entries are online and people need to register before August 15. We need to get it in people’s minds that they want to be at the zoo on September 2,” Tratt said.

Organisers are also appealing to business houses in the city to become involved and create some friendly rivalry and atmosphere on the day.

Marathon runner Pat Farmer has already been confirmed as patron for the inaugural Stampede and a website has been established to help competitors find out more about the event.“It’s a community event and we’d like to see teams from businesses get involved as well.”

Also on the website is a link to a training schedule for all events, which is designed to help competitors get their bodies in shape for whatever distance they intend on covering on the day.

- Source http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/128496/stampede-is-perfect-for-families-on-the-go/ 

THE OLYMPICS may be close to the end but it is only the beginning for Dubbo's most enduring athletes. 

A new running festival hoping to establish itself as one of the region's most loved sporting events was launched in Dubbo today.

The Dubbo Stampede to take place on Father's Day September 2nd 2012 will feature a 5km, 10km and Half Marathon (21.1km) race, with the view to add a Marathon in 2013.

Supported by the Taronga Western Plains Zoo, the competitors will run on an accredited course around the zoo, past all the animals.  

Dubbo Stampede Committee Chairman Ian Crafter said the festival which is designed to attract both serious competitors and encourage family participation has already attracted considerable interest.

"The Dubbo Stampede is quickly gaining momentum within the running fraternity, so much so that we anticipate being able to attract a well known distance runner to christen the event," said Mr Crafter.

Mr Crafter said the committee consisting of many local athletes are enthusiastic about placing Dubbo firmly on the sporting stage and cementing our place on the tourism map.

"This is a great opportunity for runners of all ages and abilities to compete in a unique setting."

Elders Insurance Western Plains are welcomed on board as Gold sponsors of the Dubbo Stampede. Silver sponsors are Dubbo City Council and Bosweb and Bronze sponsors St George Bank, Dubbo City Toyota, PRD Real Estate, Quest Apartments, Macquarie Anglican Grammar School, Mid West Foods, RSL Memorial Club and CYMS Old Boys. The Committee welcomes media partners The Daily Liberal & Mail Box Shopper, WIN Television and Zoo FM.