Gunnedah Gallop gears up for its 46th year

Dust off your running shoes – the Gunnedah Gallop enters its 46th year with the staging of the popular community fun run later this month.

Held on Sunday, September 24 from 9.30 am at the Gunnedah Showground, the format will be the same as in previous years.

This includes an 8km run through the residential areas of Gunnedah and a 2km family walk or jog around the showground and education precinct.

The 2023 Gunnedah Gallop is being staged by the Rotary clubs of Gunnedah to promote community health and well-being and is supported by the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal through funding from the Australian government’s Future Drought Fund.

Gunnedah Rotary Club president, Peter McArthur said: “The Gallop is being held just two weeks before World Mental Health Day on October 10 and Rotary has a major focus on mental health support during October. This combined with the assistance of Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal certainly establishes the Gallop as an event that can assist rural communities in addressing mental health issues and support personal well-being.”

“This event provides the opportunity for families to join together, enjoy some exercise at your pace, improve your fitness and heighten awareness of important health and well-being issues in our community,” McArthur added.

The Gunnedah Gallop had its origins in 1977 when it was promoted by the Gunnedah Apex Club, just six years after the inaugural City to Surf in Sydney. The Apex club continued to support the event for almost 30 years before it was taken on by other community interest and service groups.

“We are delighted to be promoting the Gunnedah Gallop in 2023 with proceeds from the event supporting Australian Rotary Health for mental health research grants and scholarships,” McArthur concluded.

Electronic entry forms for the 2023 Gunnedah Gallop will be available from next week. The Gunnedah Times will feature more coverage in the lead up to the event.