“We had people come from Armidale and Canberra with a lot of people visiting from Sydney,” race director Matt Webster said.

“We also had the Orange, Dubbo and Bathurst people plus a massive group from Tribe Fitness at Taren Point in the Cronulla area.”

ALSO MAKING NEWS

Lachlan Oakes was the first runner to strike gold as the Cherrybrook product ran first in the Moolarben Marathon just a week after knocking off the City2Surf event in 44 minutes.

“He’s got a couple of races coming up,” he said.

“He’s amid a lot of runs at the moment. He’s obviously quite fit and using that fitness in lots of runs.”

The Lowes Wine half marathon was taken out by prospective youngster Joshua Torley who was the only under-20s competitor out of the entire top 50.

His sister Stephanie had a bumper day too, finishing first among women and fourth overall in the Newcastle Permanent 10km Fun Run in the 12-15 age group.

“They’re both very talented,” Matt said.

“It was great to have them come all the way up from Canberra and do the race with us.

“They both clocked fantastic times and Stephanie, for such a young girl, to come fourth overall in the half marathon in those testing conditions… that was great.”

Events like Sunday’s one are always hard to put together, and Webster has a lot of people to thank in the wake of another successful running festival.

“The sponsors were great and so were the council… they helped us out,” Matt said.

“The police supported us – Gary from Highway Patrol.

“It was also part of the Optus NSW Regional Running Championship as well so thanks to them.

“The Mudgee Running Festival committee, which is separate from the tri club committee, was great – even though most people double up with their duties.”

Moolarben Marathon: 

First – Lachlan Oakes – 2h 41; Second – Mike Carroll – 2h 45; Third – Marc Rawlings – 2h 55.

Pieter Van Gent/Lowe Wines Half Marathon:

First – Joshua Thorley – 1h 13; Second – Wes Gibson – 1h 20; Third – David Macpherson – 1h 22.

Newcastle Permanent 10km Fun Run: 

First – Victor Correa – 35m 45s; Second – Sam Collins – 36m 21s; Third – Matt Webster – 36m 57s.

Wilpinjong 5km Fun Run/Walk:

First – Nathan Sutherland – 17m 17s; Second – James Nott – 18m 55s; Third – Lewis Roth – 19m 05s.