THERE was running room only in Balo Street Friday night when Run the Plains 2025 was launched in front of a record crowd under perfect conditions.
Hundreds of spectators lined both sides of the main street as runners of all ages and abilities contested a series of running events designed to promote health, fitness and the Moree Plains.
Moree’s own national stars, Bella Boland and Kate McDonald, gave a glimpse of what lies ahead with incredible performances in their age groups, and senior athlete Angus Gall made it back-to-back wins in the men’s open with a dominant victory from Sam Kelly and Charlie Wilde.
Jonah James also clocked consecutive wins, beating Tom Humphries and Lachy Smith in the boys 13-16 years.
Marley Legg beat Sophie Jensen and Sophia Cutler in the girls 10-12 years and Georgia Clyne easily won the ladies’ open, beating Sascha Estens and last year’s winner, Annie Brazier.
The boys 10-12 years was won by Isaac Hethorn, from Digby Adams and Will Smith, and Lachy Reyes rolled his way to a comfortable win in the wheelie event.
The huge night, sponsored by S&L Girard Grader Hire, was introduced to the Moree calendar in 2024.
Travelling troupe Cirque-Um-Navigate, from the central coast, entertained the crowd with a spectacular fire show prior to the serious end of business, and Berger Sno-Cones, Moree Lions Club and local businesses catered for the masses.
Already, Run the Plains has lapped last year’s benchmark, with the running action continuing at Tourism Moree Visitor Information Centre from 6.30am today.
Run the Plains, jointly organised by Moree Little Athletics, Tourism Moree and Moree Run Club, is expected to draw more nearly 800 competitors across numerous events over diverse distances when registrations are finalised this morning – nearly double last year’s tally.
Event co-organiser, Kelly James, said opening night was “amazing”.
“There has been so many spectators come along, as well as competitors, and it’s so great to see,” James said.
“We added a few new events this year, and the Community K was very popular. There were lots of light, lots of colour and great entertainment from Cirque-Um-Navigate.”
As opening night drew to a close, total nominations for the two-day event edged past 750.
“By the morning, when a few stragglers come and register, we’ll have insane numbers – literally nearly double last year,” James said.
“It’s been amazing, and so well received, and we’re so glad we have the support of sponsors and the whole community who came out tonight to experience this.
“It’s something we’ve never done before, and it’s only going to get bigger and bigger every year. “We’ve nearly doubled registrations from last year, and it’s pretty exciting when you know that places like Tamworth have been doing this sort of thing for more than 20 years, and we’ve overtaken their number already.
“It’s crazy – we love it,” she laughed.
Run the Plains continues today at Tourism Moree and Lyle Houlihan Park, with Albert Street between Frome Street and the western side of Moree Services Club, Bank Street and Mary Brand Park road closed from 7am to midday.
Moree Run the Plains 2025 day 2
When: Saturday, September 27
Where: Tourism Moree and Lyle Houlihan Park on Alice Street
Time: From 7am, with sign-ons starting at 6.30am
