A partnership between Moree Little Athletics Club, Tourism Moree, 2400 Run Club, Moree Ski Park and Moree Parkrun has a new event planned for Moree – and participants are running full-pelt to get involved.
Run the Plains, a two-day festival featuring running races over various distances, came about earlier this year when Tourism Moree CEO Julie Rushby learned about new funding opportunities being offered by Moree Plains Shire Council.
The Event Partnership Fund Program was designed to support and expand local events, and Council allocated $40,000 to help foster and promote upcoming events in the region.
Ms Rushby, also a volunteer with Moree Little Athletics Club, thought long and hard about what type of events were needed in Moree, and a brief Facebook post gave her the answer.
“I spotted a post on the Little As Facebook page, asking whether Moree would support a major running event in town. Straight away, I had my answer. I got in touch with Little As president, Kelly James, and the idea grew from there,” Ms Rushby said.
A detailed application was lodged, with Run the Plains securing $10,000 funding in the first round of grants.
Kelly James is amazed by the early response.
“We are so excited so many people are eager to take part in Run the Plains, and with a variety of events on offer there will be something for everyone’s ability,” Mrs James said.
Friday evening, September 27, features the Kamilaroi K in the Moree CBD. The following morning, 3km, 5km, 10km and 21.1km events will be held at Moree Water Park.
“If people feel like tackling a triple-treat, they can jump on board for the Triple – 21.1km, 10km and 5km,” Mrs James said.
Cash prizes will be offered for first, second and third placings across designated age groups.
“The Kamilaroi K on Friday will be a flat, plain road run with the longer distances the next day taking place around the Moree Water Park,” Mrs James said.
“Our unsealed black-soil path will provide an excellent off-road basis for Saturday’s events.”
The Event Partnership Fund Program was endorsed by Moree Plains Shire Council to “develop and expand small events that foster economic growth and development, improve local amenities, increase visitation, and promote local inclusion”.
Deputy mayor Susannah Pearse encourages community groups and local organisations to strap on the thinking caps and develop new ideas and events for the shire – and to get those ideas to Council when the next round of grants becomes available.
“It’s wonderful to see what has come about from our first round of funding for this program, including a brand-new major event – the Run the Plains carnival – and a broad range of smaller events that support music and culture, picnic races, our agricultural industry, and even a fishing forum,” Cr Pearse said.
“It’s been especially good to see groups like Moree Little Athletics and Tourism Moree working together to develop something new for our region. Events like these help build the vibrancy and liveability of our Shire, give our locals more things to do on the plains and provides visitors with new reasons to come and see what we have to offer.
“Council has allocated an additional $20,000 for a second round of the program in the 2024-2025 financial year, with applications expected to be open before the end of the year.
“As such, the time is now to start thinking about the kind of events we could see in the Moree Plains and who could work together to deliver them,” she said.
Words and Image: Bill Poulos
