IT will be won in less than five minutes but the impact of a proposed mile race down Summer Street will be felt across NSW and perhaps Australia.
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That's the hope for Orange's latest sporting event, the Sprint into Summer Orange mile, proposed for a Sunday in September next year.
Likely to start at Esso Park and end in front of Robertson Park, the event, which covers 1609 metres in metric terms and will be run down Summer Street, was announced yesterday by Member for Orange Andrew Gee and Orange mayor Reg Kidd. It also has the backing of the Orange Runners Club.
Through its Building Better Regions fund, the Federal Government is offering $35,000 for the event, which will be match by Orange City Council.
"I think as we come out of COVID and we recover from COVID, the bushfires and also the drought, this is an event that's really going to capture the imagination of not only many people from our area but also people from NSW and around Australia," Mr Gee said.
"And most importantly, it will help to bring our community together."
This is going to be a real shot in the arm.
- Member of Orange Andrew Gee
Mr Gee said the The Orange Mile would also generate tourism dollars.
"This is going to be a real shot in the arm.
"We know that running events and cycling events and those events that promote a healthy lifestyle really are very popular now."
The event adds another string to the Orange Runners Club's bow - the club is already looking ahead to its Running Festival on March 5 and 6 next year, which will also feature a mile event, and also has a hand in the Great Volcanic Challenge, later in March.
ORC Treasurer Michael O'Mara said the Summer Street event's September scheduling was ideal.
"It's at the start of the athletics season, so yes, you could get Olympians and elite runners," he said adding the prizemoney being offered would also make the event attractive to top runners.
"You can fly here from Melbourne and Brisbane, people will travel."
While the logistics are still in the pipeline, Summer Street will be closed for the race from Esso Park on Woodward Road to Piesley Street.
Mr O'Mara, who is also on the NSW board of Little Athletics, said he expected the Orange Mile would snowball in its popularity.
"The thing is we need to crawl before walk, before we run. We need to build a profile," he said.
Mayor Reg Kidd, who recalled running in the event's predecessor, the 4km Byng Street Dash from Woodward Road to Anzac Park, said he believe the The Orange Mile would be 'packed out' when different categories were taken into account.
"We might have to look at running it over a couple of days in the end."
Street stalls and family activities at Robertson Park will accompany the Sprint into Summer.
Mr Gee said the event will encourage visitors to Orange with cafes, restaurants, retail and accommodation venues to benefit.
"I'll be running laps around Lake Canobolas and Parliament House to prepare for the race," Mr Gee said.
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