Harry Grant wins Gallop

Gunnedah’s Harry Grant is the 2023 Gunnedah Gallop champion after a relentless performance in the 45th staging of the 8km fun run on Sunday.

Grant hit the front soon after the start at the Gunnedah Showground and set a solid pace in the uphill climb to Palmer Crescent.

After establishing a substantial lead, he cruised away down Wandobah Road for a comfortable win in a time of 30 minutes 18 seconds, almost three minutes ahead of runner-up George Corbett.

In third place overall was promising young runner Sienna Edmunds who recorded an outstanding time of 33 minutes 30 seconds and was the leading female. Kelly Watson and Ainsley Bell filled the minor placings in the female section.

In the team categories, the Edmunds family took the honours in both the male and female sections.

The Gallop attracted 92 competitors across the 8km and 2km events.

Gallop run director Mike Silver said the promoters, the Rotary clubs of Gunnedah, were happy with the number of entries which were on a par with last year’s event, although the warm conditions and the start of school holidays did have an impact.

THEY’RE OFF: Runners break from the start line in the 8km event of the Gunnedah Gallop held on Sunday at the showground.

The 2km event was most competitive, with nine-year-old Arthur Graham taking the honours in the boys’ section in 10 minutes 43 seconds just ahead of fellow nine-year-old Thomas Beer (10:59). Harrison Ruhmann was third. In the girls’ category, eight-year-old Ella McKay (12:13) just pipped Lizzy King, while Tara Wilkinson Ryan finished third. The outstanding run in this event came from six-year- old Aiden Sills, who finished seventh overall and ran an amazing 12 minutes 16 seconds for the 2km event.

Another highlight in the 2km run was the participation of veterans Rod Green and Gerry Bartlet who, with a combined age of 175 years, comfortably completed the distance at a leisurely walking pace.

This year’s event was supported by the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal through the Australian government’s Future Drought Fund.

“The support provided by the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal has been important in ensuring this important community health and well-being event continues to be presented,” Silver said.

“We have a two-year arrangement and look forward to the foundation’s assistance in the staging of next year’s Gallop.”

Mr Silver expressed his thanks to the many volunteers who supported the fun run particularly those who were course marshals and also those who provide ongoing support for the event.