Dust off your sneakers and get ready to help the Tamworth Running Festival celebrate a very special milestone! The annual run is set to hit the streets this Sunday the 6th of August and will be commemorating 50 years of the Tamworth 10km run.
The Tamworth Running Festival is steeped in local history, with the official website saying that it was, “Started by 3 locals, it is the 3rd oldest Fun Run in NSW and a much-loved contribution to the lifestyle of North West NSW.”
“The original course in 1974 included the competitors starting from outside the Tamworth Town Hall, running down Tamworth’s main street (Peel St), then turning into a hilly section in East Tamworth and returning to No 1 Oval. Back then it involved crossing the New England Highway three times with Police obligingly holding up the traffic.”
The race has now evolved into the multi-event running festival we know today, with well over 500 participants expected to be in attendance.
If you haven’t signed up yet, don’t worry, registration is still well and truly open for all events including:
- Tallowwood Health Half Marathon
- Sampson’s Car Repairs Tamworth 10
- Tamworth Shopping World 5km Fun Run
- Pro Active Physio Triple Threat
There will also be a My First Fun Run event for children aged 0-12 and the Bob Jane Community 6km Walk. Registration for both these events will occur on the day.
Start times for all events will be staggered with the half marathon being the first to set off at 7am. All events will start from No. 1 Oval near Bicentennial Park on Kable Avenue.
Registration is required for all events however spectators are very much encouraged to come along and cheer on their friends and family.
As always there will be some great cash prizes on offer for the best runners and all participants in the 5km, 10km and 21km events will receive a special medal to celebrate their efforts.
Being hailed as the “Nifty Fifty” in honour of the 50th anniversary celebrations, all participants are encouraged to dress up and, most importantly, have a bit of fun.
If you’re looking for a time to beat, you might like to set your sights on the two current record holders’ efforts. According to the website, “While times are not strictly comparable because the race is now over a flatter course, Rodney Higgins holds all time race record of 28.15 set in 1993,” and “Elizabeth Richards holds the all-time course record of 35.42, unmatched since being set over the old hilly course in 1977.”
And if you’re thinking about getting started on your training for next year’s event, don’t forget the Tamworth Tri Club holds running groups every week.
For more information about the Tamworth Running Festival, or to register, visit their website.
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