**PLEASE NOTE TIME AND START LINE IS 6.30am OUT THE FRONT OF THE MAIN ZOO GATES**
Go all the way with our 42.2km Rhino Ramble
Yep the big one. The Dubbo Stampede’s marathon, the Rhino Ramble!
This marathon is like no other. With the right preparation, why not make this year your year to cross the finish line?
The 2024 event will be held on Sunday 25th August at 6.30 am from out the front of the main Zoo gates.
Register Now
We have training plans available for the Rhino Ramble. If you are a new marathoner or a more seasoned participant, we have got you covered.
Your registration includes your finishers’ medal, entry to the Taronga Western Plains Zoo, water bottle and a free shirt for early bird registrations. You must be over 16 to enter the marathon. There are no age restrictions on the other events. The course is measured to World Athletics Standards and certified as such.
Check out this footage below of our iconic marathon course!
Race Entry
Registrations close Friday 23 August 6.00pm. Register Now!!
Get in early for even cheaper Early Bird deals!
Full Entry Fees:
Individual 5.3 km - $35 ($25 Early Bird)
Individual 10 km - $70 ($60 Early Bird)
Individual 21.1 km - $110 PLUS A FREE $55 SHIRT for Early Birds
Individual 42.2 km - $145 PLUS A FREE $55 SHIRT for Early Bird
Discount for 4+ entries completed at one time and they don’t have to be families!
Prize money
Prize money is available for both male and female place-getters
First - $800
Second - $500
Third - $300
The Rhino Ramble course record jackpot prizes are currently $200 male and $800 female.
See our Past Events page for previous records!
All event placings (except the Wallaby Wheel) are determined through a gun start.
Marshaling Time
6.20am - Please make sure you are at the start line out the front of the Zoo main gates. Allow plenty of time to get to the zoo, and to walk to the race precinct from the parking areas located within the zoo. Any special needs should be dropped at the bib pickup area by 6.00am or on Saturday during registration.
Start time is 6.30 am sharp.
Cut off to complete race is 6 hours.
Toilets and stations
There will be 2 portaloo at the marshaling area at the entry gates, plus the following on the Rhino Ramble course. Portaloos are also at the race precinct.
4.5km/6km (water and toilet DUNDULIMAL)
7.5km (water ENTRY TO WEIR PATH)
10km (water, toilet, sport drink, GU gels TAMWORTH ST)
12.5km (special needs [self-supplied] and 1st lap wristband issued to runners IN FRONT OF ZOO)
14.0km (water and toilet DUNDULIMAL)
17km (water)
19.5km (water, toilet, sport drink, GU gels TAMWORTH ST)
20.5km (toilet block - off path - Sandy Beach)
21.5km (toilet block - Ollie Robins)
22km (water)
23km (toilet block - Lions Park)
24.5km (water, Gu)
26km (special needs [self-supplied] and 2nd lap wristband issued to runners IN FRONT OF ZOO)
28km (water and toilet DUNDULIMAL)
30.5km (water ENTRY TO WEIR PATH)
33km (water, toilet, sport drink, GU gels TAMWORTH ST)
34km (toilet block - off path - Sandy Beach)
35km (toilet block - Ollie Robins)
35.5km (water)
37km (toilet block - Lions Park)
38km (water, Gu)
40km (special needs [self-supplied] IN FRONT OF ZOO)
41km (water)
Victory!
Course
COURSE DESCRIPTION 2024 Marathon
The course is the same as 2023 course starting out the front of the Zoo, allowing us to start earlier and a slight distance addition after the first turn around on Obley Rd to make up the distance lost in the zoo.
Check out the below relive map of our Rhino Ramble course to also see the course elevation. Note: A small river loop will be the first loop, followed by two big river loops.
Start is at the Big Zoo entry Gates.
Turn right at the Marshal and head South East down Obley Rd for just over 2km to the turning marshal. Stay on the RIGHT-HAND side of the road on the way down and back.
Once you turn around on Obley road, you will return on the right side back towards the Zoo.
About half way back to the Zoo there will be another turn around point.
You will turn around and once again head back East down Obley Rd to Dundullimal Homestead gates.
Turn left at the Dundullimal Homestead gates.
Stick to the LEFT-HAND side at all times once on the path as you head down towards the river.
Head along the path across the river and up a rise before coming to Macquarie St.
Turn left (North) on Macquarie st and stick to the left hand bicycle and foot paths.
You will cross one road and some driveways so keep an eye out for vehicles.
Once you reach about 7km you will turn left through gates and head down the Weir track towards the river on the dirt path.
Keep following the path along the rivers edge until you reach the Tamworth st car park. There will be an aid station here.
For the first lap you will turn left at the aid station and head over the Tamworth st pedestrian bridge.
Follow this concrete path until you reach a Y in the path. Turn left to head back towards the Zoo.
Once you are opposite the Zoo entry gates you will see a special needs table with a marshal who will hand you a wrist band. This is your ‘evidence’ for completing each lap.
Continue on the path down Obley Rd.
Once again, when you arrive at the gates to Dundullimal, turn left.
Complete the same course as your first lap until you reach the Tamworth st aid station again.
For this lap and the final lap you will run across the carpark and keep heading North around the Tracker Riley river track towards Sandy Beach and Serisia bridge. This is all dirt path and there will be two toilet opportunities and another aid station. Just keep the river on your left.
Keep following the path left across the low level vehicle bridge (Serisia).
At the end of the bridge veer left under the rail bridge and head along the dirt path closest to the river.
Continue along the path until you hit a concrete path and go across a carpark and under the big LHFord vehicle bridge.
Keeping the river on your left, follow the concrete path until you pass another aid station and across a yellow and green pedestrian bridge.
Turn right after the pedestrian bridge to head back up towards the Zoo.
When you arrive at the special needs table across from the Zoo entry you will get another wrist band and complete the same long loop again.
This time when you return to the Special needs table you will turn right and cross the road at the marshal towards the Zoo gates. Stay on the right side of the entry driveway.
Once through the main gates, turn left at the zebra crossing marshal and follow the path and then road to the Bike and cart Hire shed and drink station. The Zebra crossing is before the first roundabout in the Zoo so if you get to the roundabout, you went too far.
From here follow the road down to the marshal who will direct you across to the small Zoo circuit entry gates.
Complete the partial small loop around the lake following the signs.
You will rejoin the main Zoo circuit about 100m from the finish line.
CELEBRATE!! YOU JUST DID A MARATHON!
