SPECIAL races need special trophies, and that’s why Run the Plains platinum sponsor NewPave Asphalt decided to start from scratch and deliver something unique.

NewPave Asphalt business development manager, Peter Gellert, was tasked with the project, and delivered four incredible keepsakes to celebrate the inaugural running of Run the Plains.

“They wanted something special for the trophies and they asked if we could do something specific to us, which meant we couldn’t just go and buy something,” Mr Gellert said.

Four trophies were created, each with its own unique style.

“Everything is hand-made, which makes them a little bit special,” Mr Gellert smiled.

Mr Gellert said NewPave Asphalt, a Run the Plains co-platinum sponsor with Moree Plains Shire Council, was committed to getting behind the Moree community.

“We’re really keen to be a part of the community, and part of it for the long-term. It’s all about longevity, and we’re committed to that,” Mr Gellert said.

NewPave Asphalt’s commitment involves completely replacing plant and equipment at the company’s James Street site.

“We’re putting in a brand-new asphalt plant and we’re really committed to the area. We want to grow with the community here,” Mr Gellert said.

“Obviously, we wouldn’t disassemble an old plant because of reliability issues and put in a brand-new plant with the latest technology and all the best features, if we were planning a short-term thing,” Mr Gellert said.

“We’ll be bringing a world-class product to the area as well as world-class equipment. With the expertise we’ve got and the equipment we’ve got, it will expand from there.”

Mr Gellert said the expansion will create job opportunities and future employment in the district.

“The plant should be operational by the end of October, and we’re hoping to get more locals employed. We’ll build the business slowly, but surely,” he said.

The inaugural Run the Plains carnival held Friday evening and Saturday morning, was a resounding success against all odds.

Rain Thursday and Friday saw a late change of venue for Saturday’s feature races, originally scheduled at Moree Water Park.

With the help of volunteers and staff from local businesses and Moree Plains Shire Council, the entire show was brought into town.

New starting and finishing lines were installed at Tourism Moree on Alice Street and new courses around Moree were mapped out late Friday.

And, right on cue, the sun came out in all its glory on Saturday.

“We were lucky to be able to organise a change of venue so late in proceedings. The ground at Moree Water Park was just too gluggy underfoot and running on it would’ve been impossible,” co-organiser Kelly James said.

AND THE WINNERS ARE

Triple

Men 1st – Daniel Nash; 2nd – Adam Tribe; 3rd – Zeb Chapman

Women 1st – Abigail Forrester

Half-Marathon

Men 1st – Steven Ballentine; 2nd – Angus Gall; 3rd – Charlie Radford

Women 1st – Maddie Mortimer; 2nd – Sally Poole; 3rd – Megan Adams

10km

Men 1st – James Boland; 2nd – David Batterham; 3rd –Ben Legg

Women 1st – Liberty Walker; 2nd – Renaye Madden; 3rd – Katrina Clark

5km

Men Open 1st – Sean Young; 2nd – Mick Picone; 3rd – Andrew Mitchell

Women Open 1st – Sascha Estens; 2nd – Jill Turner; 3rd – Annie Brazier

Men Junior 1st – Sam Kelly; 2nd – Charlie Jensen; 3rd – Nick Beddoes

Women Junior 1st – Kate McDonald; 2nd – Cedar Mitchell; 3rd – Sophie Jensen

3km

Men Open 1st – Sandeep Basnet; 2nd – Mitch Custance; 3rd – Ben Dawson

Men Open 1st Mitch Custance; 2nd Ben Dawson; 3rd Ben Williams

Women Open 1st – Sally Poole; 2nd – Karen Bowhay; 3rd – Cierra Fontall

Boys 13-16 1st – Jonah James; 2nd – Thomas Humphries; 3rd – Lachlan Miller

Girls 13-16 1st – Paris Barnes; 2nd – Harriet Poole; 3rd – Georgia Miller

Boys 10-12 1st – Lachlan Bowhay; 2nd – Levi Nolan; 3rd – Frederick Phillps

Girls 10-12 1st – Kate McDonald; 2nd – Jayde James; 3rd – Hazel Picone

Boys 6-9 1st – Will Smith; 2nd – Jake Ewart; 3rd – Austin Legg

Girls 6-9 1st – Bella Boland; 2nd – Alarni Smith; 3rd – Francesca Glynn

Kamilaroi K

Men 60+ 1st – Wayne Monckton

Women 60+ 1st – Sue Poole

Men 17-59 1st – Angus Gall; 2nd – Daniel Nash; 3rd – Mitch Custance

Women 17-59 1st – Annie Brazier; 2nd – Merinda Duncan; 3rd – Felicity Taylor

Boys 13-16 1st – Jonah James; 2nd – Thomas Humphries

Girls 13-16 1st – Abbey Muggleton

Boys 10-12 1st – Phoenix Beck; 2nd – Nick Beddoes; 3rd – Lachlan Bowhay

Girls 10-12 1st – Kate McDonald; 2nd – Marley Legg; 3rd – Jayde James

Boys 6-9 1st – Will Smith; 2nd – Jake Ewart; 3rd – Josh Sayers

Girls 6-9 1st – Bella Boland; 2nd – Avery Bowman; 3rd – Violet Bowhay

Men Wheely 1st – Byron Birch

Women Wheely 1st – Sara Hoolihan; 2nd – Sasha Andersen