While last year's Grand Champion Joshua Torley and sister Stephanie Torley are currently leading the overall results for their genders after performing well in Bathurst, Orange and Mudgee, both are being closely pursued in what's proving to be a very deep and competitive field.

"Over the next three events they're likely to change, there's a huge battle there," NSW Regional Distance Running Championships spokesman Andrew Baulch said.

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"There'll be a lot of people competing for places in Dubbo, right now Josh has Iain McLean and Barry Keem right behind him and Steph is leading her category, but Tilley Perrin won at Orange and Bathurst and then came second in Mudgee, so she's right behind her."

The championships, which will also consider results from the Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km categories in later events in Forbes and Carcoar, have experienced another year of growth since their founding.

"It's been absolutely fantastic this year," Baulch said.

"I've been trying to look at long term trends, it was a bit of a punt starting it up, there was something like eighteen entrants across five events who were actually competing in at least three events, and very few that would have run two or more."

"Now, with each promoting each other's events and working together, you have record fields in Mudgee and in Dubbo."

Baulch also says that the growth in the more competitive, tougher running events that has been seen in places like Mudgee and Dubbo is being reflected in the overall competition.

"There's definitely been a lift in the tougher events, the thing is with the three events we have that are point winning events, it's focused people on participating in those events and looking to pick up points in those events," Baulch said.

"Looking through the list this morning of the points scorers, there are so many familiar names, but even among people who wouldn't normally run in these events because they're too far away, we're seeing them now travelling and competing."

"We're showcasing all the best of the Central West, it really puts the region into focus; we have some very diverse, beautiful courses."

For Baulch, the success of the championships so far is a result worth celebrating all of it's own.

"I'm thrilled to bits that the championships have had such an impact, that it's got everybody working together and promoting each other, everyone is working really hard together."

The Dubbo Stampede's events will begin at 7am on Sunday, August 25.