Sunday’s Forbes Running Festival attracted 175 runners to the picturesque Lake Forbes course, with the half marathon winner setting a blistering pace.
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The annual running festival had distances to suit everybody: a 21km half marathon, a 10km run or a 5km run.
The enthusiastic runners were able to finish their races under the Forbes Crocs Running and Triathlon Club’s new finishing arch at the ski dam.
The 21km half marathon was taken out by Canberra runner Josh Torley in the men’s category and Leigha Willis in the women’s category.
Event organiser Ian Bown said Torley’s time of 68 minutes and 43 seconds was the fastest the Forbes club has had in the 21km half marathon so far.
Second-placed David MacPherson ran in nearly 10 minutes later.
Leigha Willis was the first lady across the line in 87 minutes and seven seconds.
Paige Campbell claimed ladies line honours in the 10km in 34 minutes 35 seconds, Jake Ryan the men’s in 35 minutes 39 seconds.
Nathan Sutherland was first in the 5km run with a time of 17 minutes 24 and Nicole Williamson won the ladies in 20 minutes 20.
Mr Bown said they had great weather for the annual event and had competitors from around the region and from as far as Port Macquarie running.
With 44 competitors in the half marathon, 50 enthusiastic runners taking part in the 10km run and 81 runners in the 5km event, Mr Bown said organisers couldn’t be happier with this year’s entries.
The Forbes Running Festival, along with five other running festivals in the region, forms part of the NSW Regional Distance Running Championships.
The other events which form the Championships include the Orange Running Festival in February, Bathurst Half Marathon in May, Mudgee Running Festival and Dubbo Stampede in August and Carcoar Cup Running Festival in December.
Mr Bown said that next year’s Forbes Running Festival will take place on the second Sunday in October.
The Forbes Crocs Running and Triathlon Club now turn their attention to hosting the triathlon on Sunday December 9. For more information visit the Forbes Running and Tri Club page on Facebook, the Advocate will have more closer to the event.