A BIG crowd braved a wet, chilly afternoon on Friday to watch local history unfold on Balo Street.

As they watched and cheered, dozens of runners in six races held five or 10 minutes apart, darted down the middle of Moree’s CBD.

The runners, some pushing prams, all had a common purpose – the inaugural NewPave Asphalt Kamilaroi K trophy.

The running spectacle – with divisions for all ages and genders – heralded the launch of the two-day Run the Plains festival, a collaboration between Moree Little Athletics Club, Tourism Moree, 2400 Run Club, Moree Parkrun and Moree Water Park.

Local running royalty, 79-year-old Ron Clissold, was installed the official starter for all races on Friday. He will continue the role on Saturday morning when day two of Run the Plains gets underway early at new starting point, near Tourism Moree on Alice Street.

“This sort of weather is perfect conditions for running,” Clissold said.

“It’s a great roll-up and it’s good to see so many people here despite the weather. It will be great if Run the Plains is ongoing, and great for the future of athletics in Moree,” he said.

Nearly 350 runners nominated for running events over varying distances across two days.

Friday’s opener, the NewPave Asphalt Kamilaroi K, was all about the one-kilometre “sprint” up and down Balo Street.

Runners darted north from the main intersection, did a u-turn at Gwydir Street and headed south to the Albert Street roundabout before heading back along Balo Street to the finish line at the Albert Street intersection.

Moree Little Athletics Club president Kelly James was overawed by the turn-out in pretty dismal conditions.

“It’s been amazing. There’s been more than 100 runners turn up tonight. The number was 77 at one stage, but we improved on that to get this incredible roll-up with a heap of late entries,” James said.

“We’re ecstatic about how it’s gone; it’s just been amazing. There was sprinkling rain, but we got through it.”

Peter Gellert, business development manager with chief sponsor NewPave Asphalt, said his company’s investment in Moree was long-term, with a commitment to support events like Run the Plains.

“We’re really keen to get behind the community,” Gellert said.

“Moree is a great community and I’m amazed by the camaraderie – it’s almost like family.

“It’s really nice to get that small country town feel – in a big town – and something like this really generates that community feeling.

“We’re really keen to be a part of it, and part of it for the long-term,” he said.

Day two of Run the Plains, starting at new venue Tourism Moree, features the McGregor Gourlay Half Marathon, NewPave Asphalt Triple, B&W Rural 10k, Grove Juice 5k and S&L Girard Grader Hire 3k.

James said the original site at Moree Water Park on the southern side of town, was too wet underfoot after nearly 20mm of soaking rain fell across the district late in the week.

“We’ll now start and finish at Tourism Moree,” James said.

“We’ve marked courses all around town, either on paths or the road. It’s going to be a great spectacle,” she smiled.

The Run the Plains committee will be on-site from 6am, with the following start times in place.

7am: McGregor Gourlay Half Marathon and NewPave Asphalt Triple

9am: B&W Rural 10k

10am: Grove Juice 5k

11am: S&L Girard Grader Hire 3k

A barbecue and refreshment outlets will be on-site.

Words and Images: Bill Poulos