The chance to “run with the herd” is open once more at an event that spun an estimated sum of up to half a million dollars into the Dubbo economy in previous years.
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Organisers of the 2018 MAAS Group Dubbo Stampede report of its success not only as a “running festival for everyone” but also of it being a stimulus for the hospitality and accommodation sectors.
On Thursday the driving forces behind the event launched the sixth annual fixture at venue Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
Athletes, families, walkers and wheelers in their thousands are being invited to book their place at this year’s festival, which is offering a prize pool of $10,000, while every participant will receive a medal.
The appeal of the Dubbo Stampede has in the past attracted visitors to the city as well as home-grown talent.
Stampede president Rod Campbell said through the committee’s surveys, it was estimated participants spent about $216 each for the weekend.
“So if you look at 2500 people attend our event that’s an economic impact of up to half a millions in our economy,” he said.
“And the stories I hear, the cafes just being full to the hilt of runners after the event and the accommodation as well, it’s huge.”
The Stampede offers the 5.3km Dingo Dash, the 10km Cheetah Chase, the 21.1km Zebra Zoom Half Marathon and the 42.2km Rhino Ramble Marathon challenges.
Wheelchair event the 5.3 km Wallaby Wheel makes a return this year after its inagural staging in 2017.
“We’ve always set out to have a vision of a running event for everybody and the Wallaby Wheel’s a tangible example of how we’ve tried to make it a whole of community event,” Mr Campbell said.
“And the support and the stories last year of the people who participated was really heartening for us as a committee.
“We’re really looking forward to running it again.”
The president counts the iconic venue of the zoo as integral to its success.
“It makes our job easy in many ways that we’ve got such an asset to bring people through,” Mr Campbell said.
“If someone’s a runner and they’re remotely interested in the zoo or having that experience, then they’re virtually here already.”
Zoo director Steve Hinks said the organisation was proud and thrilled to be involved in the sixth Dubbo Stampede, his first as “a relatively new resident” to the city.
“Naturally the involvement in community is very important to us, supporting an event like this which brings so many visitors to the region, and clearly does a lot for the economic development of Dubbo and of the surrounding region,” he said.
“Fifty per cent of participants coming from outside the region is a very exciting statistic for the city.
“So something we’re very proud to be involved in.”
To register or get more information, visit www.dubbostampede.com.au.