Taronga Western Plains Zoo Manager Steve Hinks says this year's eighth annual Dubbo Stampede holds unique value for the city.
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The event, which has put an estimated sum of up to half a million dollars into the Dubbo economy, held its 2019 launch on Tuesday.
Participants of all abilities are being invited to book their place at this year's marathon festival.
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 and the wheelchair event, the 5.3 km Wallaby Wheel.
According to Mr Hinks the 2019 event isn't just about running with the herd, "this year we're running 'for' the herd."
For the first time, the Dubbo Stampede Organising Committee have partnered with Taronga Western Plains to allow online donations which will go towards helping the giraffes.
According to Mr Hinks, the majestic species are facing extinction.
"The main contributor to the growing extinction of giraffes is habitat loss," Mr Hinks said.
"A lot of these majestic species that we take for granted are really facing significant problems into the future.
"As a zoo, our mission is to build empathy with these creatures with our guests, they get to come to a place like this, see these incredible animals, fall in love with them and that helps build the desire to do something about it.
This year's Stampede event will accumulate donations to help further develop the giraffe environment at the Zoo.
"This year we have three new giraffe calves, which is a better turnout then we've seen for a while," Mr Hinks said.
The not-for-profit organisation is well-known for putting billions back into the community, but what a lot of people don't know is the money the organisation provides other societies.
"We partner with an organisation called Northern Rangelands Trust, and the purpose of that is to try and come up with alternative income streams for some of the societies in Africa and notably in Kenya," Mr Hinks said.
"We sell beaded jewellery made in Africa, and the money from them goes straight back to those communities.
"The funds prevent these societies from having to destroy natural habitats by helping them to be less reliant on farming and agriculture for their income."
The event brings around 25,000 people to the Zoo every year and with it, much needed support.
The festival will commence on August 25.
Entries can be completed online.
