The Dubbo Stampede is a one-of-a-kind running festival which encourages Dubbo and the wider community to achieve greater health and wellbeing. 

Dubbo’s own Paige Williams has spent the past six months preparing for the 21.1 kilometre half-marathon, or in Stampede terms; the Zebra Zoom. 

Referring to herself as a completer more than a competitor, Paige is no novice when it comes to tackling the fun runs. 

“I entered in the Stampede last year and I’ve done the City2Surf four times,” she said. 

“Although I’ve been training for the past six months, the last three have been more intense.”

Every runner has a different method of preparing and in Paige’s case her’s oddly enough was to run less. 

“I tore my Achilles heel a few years ago, so I limit myself to running three to four times a week,” she said. 

As a vegetarian, Paige said she didn’t have to change her diet much in terms of preparation for the Stampede. 

“I eat healthy and clean most of the time,” she said. 

Along with the physical preparation, many runners will often dabble in the psychological preparation for long distance runs.

While she doesn’t have a pair of lucky socks or jocks, on the big day Paige will be sporting hot pink calf guards.

“Before I went in this year’s City2Surf I had a really sore calf and I wore one.”

“Despite the reaction from my friends, it made the whole race so much better,” she said. 

“So much to my boyfriend’s dismay I’ll be wearing both on Sunday.”

The gates to Taronga Western Plains Zoo will open at 6:00am on Sunday, September 7. 

 Entrants are advised to allow 30 minutes of travel time to the zoo, leaving at least 20 minutes before their race starts. 

Obley Rd will be closed from 6.15am - 10.15am. 

Diversions will add approximately five minutes to trips.

Traffic marshals will be used for runners crossing Obley Road after 10.15am. 

Rhino Ramble (42.2 kilometres)

Marshalling Time: 6:50am

Start Time: 7:00am

Cut off Time: 1:00pm

Winners presentation: 11:00am

Dingo Dash (5.5 kilometres)

Marshalling Time: 7:20am

Start Time: 7:30am

Cut off Time: 9:00am

Winners presentation: 8:30am

Zebra Zoom (21.1 kilometres)

Marshalling Time: 7:35am

Start Time: 7:45am

Cut off Time: 11:45am

Winners presentation: 9:45am

Cheetah Chase (10 kilometres)

Marshalling Time: 8:05am

 Start Time: 8:15am

Cut off Time: 10:15am

Winners presentation: 9:30am

For more information on the Dubbo Stampede, turn to page 29.