The Gunnedah Gallop Community Fitness Run will not be staged this year, following an announcement from the Rotary Club of Gunnedah.
The club’s administration director Mike Silver said, “Unfortunately, the demands on the club’s resources to stage the fun run have led to a decision to not conduct the event this year.
“We are presently in discussions with another community group to take over the event with a view to a better and more expansive program being promoted next year.”
The Rotary Club of Gunnedah began managing the Gallop in 2021 following the closure of the Gunnedah 2380 Rotary Club that had staged the fun run for a decade.
The Gunnedah Gallop started in 1977 when it was promoted by the Gunnedah Apex Club which staged the annual fun run for almost 30 years.
“The event drew runners from across the eastern seaboard, some just for fun and some competitive, including several runners who had finished in the top ten in the City to Surf,” Mr Silver said.
Mr Silver added that in the early years, upward of 350 competitors contested the eight-kilometre Gallop course annually.
In recent times, the eight-kilometre event combined with a two-kilometre run/walk has attracted around 150 participants.
“The nature of fun runs has changed with many of the original regional one-off fun runs now moving to running festivals with a variety of running and walking events being conducted across a weekend, which taps a broader audience,” Mr Silver said.
Discussions with a new promoter will focus on the types of events to be staged, when it is held, its duration and how the event is promoted and managed.
It is expected an announcement on the format and timing of next year’s Gallop will be made early next year.
“The Gallop has been held annually since 1977 with only a break during COVID and the pause this year,” Mr Silver said.
“It is expected that it will be back on the local community calendar next year bigger and better and in full operation for its 50th anniversary in 2027.”
