MANGOPLAH put on a spectacular show during the second annual Run for Resilience event hosted by Active Farmers.
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The event attracted 220 registered participants and lived up to the namesake of "resilience" by successfully going ahead despite ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and a forecast storm on Sunday.
There was a stellar lineup of athletes including 2006 Commonwealth Games triathlon gold medalist Brad Kahlefeldt, who won the half marathon in a time of 1:13:18.
In fact, the first four runners to cross the timeline in the half marathon were members of the Kahlefeldt family.
Brad's wife, also an acclaimed triathlete, Radka won the women's half marathon in a time of 1:24:16.
Active Farmers chief executive officer Ginny Stevens was grateful Run for Resilience went ahead and was so well supported.
She said the participants were from throughout the Riverina, because the evolving COVID-19 restrictions meant some of the potential runners from further afield couldn't travel into the area.
In the week before the Mangoplah run she had also been keeping an eye on the weather because storms were forecast for the region.
Despite, the threat of thunder and lightning the runs went ahead without a hitch in sunny conditions.
Mrs Stevens said it was great to have the support of the Kahlefeldt family and Olympic triathlete Emma Jeffcoat, who participated in the 10km.
"Our most popular event was the 5km and we actually ran out of bibs for this one," Mrs Stevens said.
"There were a lot of kids and families in the 5km," she said.
Mrs Stevens said the event truly is for everyone.
"You can be an elite athlete or you can come along with your children and go for a nice walk," she said.
"It was really great to see runners going through the paddocks and running cross-country style."
"To see the smiles on people's faces as they crossed the finish line was amazing."
Runners were treated to some spectacular sights as the course took them through farming country south of Wagga.
Mrs Stevens said the event was also assisted by volunteers who worked on check points and drink stations and helped the day to run smoothly.
She was also grateful to the sponsors who had supported the Run for Resilience event.
She said Active Farmers group sessions were currently being held across 47 communities and the next location to launch under the banner would be Grong Grong.