The Tamworth Running Festival is powering ahead this year on the back of a rush of community support following the conclusion of a ten year sponsorship deal.
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This year eight local sponsors have stepped up to the starting line for the August 4 event, and if early entries are anything to go by the Tamworth Tri Club is in for a massive fun run, "and hopefully in the sun."
President Warren Ansell said the community support has been overwhelming, particularly in the face of the worst drought in history.
"The event is shaping up to be one of our biggest yet - our entries are well above the same time last year," he said.
"This is an event that gets more than 500 people active, includes more than 70 volunteers and attracts 200 people from outside of Tamworth."
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The festival will kick off with the PRD National half marathon, followed by the Sampson's Car Repairs Tamworth Ten, the Shoppingworld Fun Five, and the Bob Jane T-Mart Community Walk, as well as the Happy Smiles Dash for Cash.
As always the festival will be raising money for a local charity, and this year Bullimbal School will take a special place, not only as the recipient, but also on the course with several students, families, staff and carers taking part.
"I have run in events and fun runs all over the world, and I have never seen an event where entrants will be running next to the very person that is benefiting from the event - that is very unique."
Another unique touch on this years event is that it will be run plastic free, with the usual bottles of water replaced with recyclable paper cups, while participants can fill their own reusable bottles at refill stations on the day.
