THE Run the Plains festival is destined to become an annual event in Moree – the town’s newly-anointed next big thing – after the inaugural edition over two big days was declared a resounding success.
The running and fitness festival was a collaboration between Moree Little Athletics Club, Tourism Moree, 2400 Run Club, Moree Parkrun and Moree Water Park, and co-organiser Kelly James said the support from a long list of sponsors and the people of Moree was overwhelming.
“We had platinum, gold, silver and bronze sponsors as well as a heap of supporters and volunteers that made the Run the Plains event possible,” Mrs James said.
“Moree Plains Shire Council and NewPave Asphalt were our joint platinum sponsors and McGregor Gourlay, B&W Rural, Grove Juice and S&L Girard Grader Hire came on board as our gold sponsors.”
“It’s been great to see so many sponsors involved, especially the way things are at the moment with the cost of living the way it is. We’re so happy they we able to dig in,” Mrs James said.
“The plan is to make it an annual event – it’s something a lot of people are interested in and it will be bigger and better next year.
“We hope to get all the schools involved and perhaps get the business houses involved with the Kamilaroi K or even have them put in teams for the other runs.
“We’re overwhelmed with the support we’ve received. We ended up with more than 400 entries over the two days. There were a lot of late entries, and we still had people signing up first thing Saturday morning,” she said.
Silver sponsors included Tourism Moree, Moree Little Athletics Club, CAD, Finagri, Burey Earthmoving, Boyce and Co, Moree Real Estate, Nutrien Ag, Jamesy’s Mowing Service, ICM, Jock’s Hire, Hip Pocket and Print Anything, AFF and Moree Rugby Union Club.
JC Fitness, Moree Bakehouse and Balo Square Bakery, DJ Jaamez and Stef & Lisa Consulting were part of bronze sponsorship.
Bella Santé Skin & Body, Lowes Petroleum Services, Synergy Physiotherapy – Sports and Spinal Moree, Amcal Pharmacy, Cut Above Fitness, RUNLY, LODED Strength & Conditioning, Anytime Fitness Moree and LSKD were also involved in sponsorship.
Run the Plains was lucky to get off the starting blocks after rain changed plans and forced venues to be re-arranged at the last minute.
But the wet weather couldn’t stop Run the Plains from running flat out around Moree.
“The move into town was very positive. We had to map out another course – seven kilometres for the three-lap 21km run – and another 10, five the three-kilometre course,” Mrs James said.
“That was all done in the middle of the rain on Friday. We had to rally extra help to bring all the equipment into town and B&W Rural sent over a lot of their guys to help us move everything, and so did a heap of council staff – it was a huge effort.”
