Community organisation Run Dungog has announced its trail running festival.
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The Dungog Trail Running Festival 2022 is set to bring trail running to the forefront of Dungog's community.
Organised by Dan Lyons, the avid runner said he sees the potential for trail running to become the next mountain biking for Dungog.
"I think trail running is probably even a bigger growing activity than anything, including mountain biking. All trail running needs is a pair of shoes and a pair of footy shorts," Lyons said.
"Going for a run in nature, it connects your body to the bush. I think it has a really wide appeal."
The trail running festival is set to take place on Sunday, August 7, but Lyons is encouraging people to start thinking about the event and training soon.
Throughout the day Wangat Lodge will be providing small races, events and a picnic for kids.
A short five kilometre run for beginners or speedsters will kick off the day. Business and organisations are encouraged to form teams of three to run together and compete for the Run Dungog Business Trophy.
The five kilometre run is the one that should be most accessible for the locals, according to Lyons.
"We're encouraging people to run or walk it. It's also nicknamed the 'dash and dawdle'," he said.
Registrations are open for local business, organisations and community groups on the Run Dungog website listed below.
"All we're saying is come, walk five kilometres around to bring people and bring community," he said.
Next, there is a 10 kilometre run, or one loop of the trail course.
The 10 kilometre run is for more serious trail runners.
"It's for someone who might run 50 kilometre runs, but a 10 kilometre race can be a really good test to see where they're at," Lyons said.
"But it's also doable for people just getting into the sport. It's a good bush and doable if you're wanting to step up a bit."
For those that can really run, the 20km run is two loops of the trail course and is considered Sunday's community day premier event.
"This is a serious trail run. It's not an ultra trail but there will be rocks and hills and climbs and a little bit of a scramble," Lyons said.
On top of all this, there is a 1km hill dash with a $1000 prize.
"We want to see this as a blue ribbon race to end the festival," Lyons said about the hill dash.
"We're hoping to get people watching banging on boards, maybe a few cowbells."
Run Dungog are currently looking for people to volunteer and help organise the event.
If this is something that you're interested in visit www.rundungog.com.