THE Dubbo Stampede's place as one of the premier events on the running calendar was cemented today when more than 3000 people walked, jogged and ran around the scenic backdrop of Taronga Western Plains Zoo and the Macquarie River.
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In just its third year the Stampede has doubled in size and attracted a better quality of competitor, and despite clashing with the Edgell Jog in Bathurst organisers were delighted with the event.
"Whether people walked the 5.5km event or ran the entire 42.2km of the marathon they have been a part of our biggest and best event yet," Dubbo Stampede president Tim Ferraro said.
Sydney-based runner Alex Matthews created a slice of history when he was first across the line in the inaugural Rhino Rumble marathon, running the 42.2km in a time of 2:36.17 as he finished almost 23 minutes ahead of Dubbo runner Len Darlington (2:59.03).
Another Dubbo runner, Jane Fardell, finished third overall and was crowned womens marathon champion as she broke the three-hour mark with a time of 2:59.18.
In the other events, Randwick's Keith MacPherson was victorious in the 21.1km Zebra Zoom in a time of 1:10.45 while former local Renae Reid, now from Marrickville, was first female over the line after clocking 1:27.46.
The 10km Cheetah Chase was taken out by Ellerston's Ben Mills in a time of 37.00, while Kingsford's Cindy King won the women's event in a time of 40.00, and in the Dingo Dash (5.5km) Orange's Connor Whiteley set the benchmark with a time of 19.00 while Taylor Porter from Caringbah took the female section in a time of 21.36.
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