Orange Running Festival looks like drawing record entries

Now in its 17th year, the Orange Running Festival continues to attract the attention of runners from all over Australia and the world.

The festival was named Orange’s Community Event of the Year at the Australia Day Award Ceremony, and after speaking with event coordinator, Anthony Daintith, it’s not hard to see why.

“I’m looking at around 2,000 entrants this year, so hopefully a new record,” Anthony said. “They come from all over Australia… Historically, we’ve had quite a number of entrants from overseas. Obviously COVID affected that, but quite a lot are interstate,” he continued.

The 2023 event is being held at Gosling Creek and starts on Saturday, March 4 with four mile-long events: Women’s, Men’s, Junior, and the new Community Orange Mile. 

Then on Sunday, March 5 there’s a five kilometre walk and run, a 10 kilometre run, half marathon and marathon.

It’s an inclusive event, designed to cater for people just wanting an enjoyable day out, and elite runners,” Anthony said.

“We obviously encourage family and friends. You don’t have to be an Olympian. Just come out and have a good time. You can walk, it’s a bit of fun,” he said.

There’s also school and workplace events, so you can get your workmates together and form a team.

And this year there’s more to the festival than the running or walking events. For the first time there will be live entertainment from Megan Woods, stalls, lucky door prizes, and of the usual winners’ awards.

Premi-babes have been chosen as the charity partner for the event this year, and people are encouraged to donate, or fundraise for the cause when they register.

The festival is also very conscious of putting money back into the community.

“We support the RFS, the Scouts. They essentially come out and donate their time and then we put money back into them,” Anthony said.

If you want more information about the Orange Running Festival  or would like to register, go to www.orangerunningfestival.com.au/