It was wet and it was wild but when the weekend's Little Athletics Region 3 State Qualifying Meet came to a close it was being hailed as one of the best carnivals in NSW.
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Athletes ranging from under 9s to under 12s came from as far as the Blue Mountains through to Cobar to push for a spot at the upcoming state titles.
Carnival organiser Bruce Cox, someone who has annually been making the trip to Dubbo since 1996, said it was one of the most enjoyable weekend's he had been a part of and he wasn't the only one singing the event's praises.
"There was a technical delegate from Sydney, he represents the Little Athletics board and make sure the technical aspects are correct, who's been in the sport for 50 years and he said it was the best regional (carnival) he's ever been to," Cox said.
The quality of the Barden Park surface was key to making the meeting a success, as events were able to continue on despite the torrential downpour on Saturday morning.
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Those on the track soldiered on while some field events were delayed by just half an hour but Cox said the entire weekend ran smoothly.
The numbers delighted organisers in what was the first major event at Barden Park in a year after COVID-19 brought a halt to competition last year.
"The highlight for me was the relay at the end of the carnival. We had a record number of entries, it was great," Cox said.
"The conditions weren't ideal for setting records but we still had two new regional records so that was really good.
"The atmosphere was great and so was the attendance."
Cox also had nothing but praise for Dubbo Regional Council, for having Barden Park on offer in such fine condition, and also the volunteers from the Dubbo club and others around the region.
"The parental help was phenomenal," he said.
"At the end we put the call out for helpers, we need three at each change, and we had to turn people away because there was so many volunteers.
"That's unheard of and it shows the enthusiasm."
While the rain affected competition somewhat, there will still be a strong group of Region 3 athletes heading to the state titles next month.
The two placegetters in each event in each region automatically qualify for the state carnival while the best after that from any region also go through.
"And on the weekend most regions had rain so there's every chance some of our thirds might qualify as well." Cox added.
A strong group from Dubbo Athletics Club will make the trip to Sydney for the state titles after impressing on the weekend but those from even further west also impressed.
Clubs from smaller centres around the region either had an increase in competitors or athletes earn state qualification and that, according to Cox, was proof of the talent and the enthusiasm for track and field events.
"There was things like Forbes having kids in the relay for the first time so that was really good and all the feedback was great so it sets us up for a bigger and better carnival next year," he said.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
