Blue Mountains-based athlete Tim Gowing pushed himself through what he described as a “tough” Rhino Ramble marathon course at the Dubbo Stampede on Sunday and was rewarded with the first placed finish in the 42.2km race.
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There was a massive turnout at Taronga Westerns Plains Zoo for Dubbo’s biggest running event and there was a huge cheer when Gowing crossed the line in the time of 2 hours 54 minutes and 49 seconds.
“It was a good run but it was tough today and a tough finish but I got through it,” he said.
“I just set my pace and had a target finish and then tried to hold on.
“I had a time in mind and tried to get to it but I just missed out by a couple minutes but it was still good.”
Attending his second Dubbo Stampede, Gowing, who added he runs more for fun than serious competition, was roughly five minutes ahead of second-placed Ben Simes, who came in just under three hours.
Michael Botfield was third in the time of 3:11:03.
“It’s nice, I was chased the whole way, which is good," Gowing said, before speaking about why he came to Dubbo.
“A weekend away with the family, bringing them to the zoo and it’s been a good weekend with friends and family.”
Kath Shorter and Kirby Clarke were first and second in an extremely close women’s Rhino Ramble.
Shorter won in the time of 3:26:22 while Clarke was just four seconds behind.
Gowing was impressed by all runners on course and had plenty of praise for the Stampede event itself.
As well as roughly 2,500 competitors, there was a strong showing of supporters who lined parts of the tracks to cheer on all those taking part.
The 5km Dingo Dash attracted roughly 1700 starts while local high-level athletes Jane Fardell and Matt Pellow also took part.
Long distance runner and triathlon star Fardell won the women’s 21.1km Zebra Zoom half marathon while Pellow was third behind Paul Tucker and Robbie Neill in the men’s.
Kevin O’Brien and Paige Campbell starred and were the respective winners of both the Dingo Dash and the 10km Chetah Chase.
“The weekend is great with all four events is fantastic and there’s something for everyone so it’s a really good one,” Gowing said.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
