Orange Running Fest draws biggest crowd ever

Last weekend’s Orange Running Festival attracted its largest-ever crowd to Gosling Creek Reserve for eight races over Saturday and Sunday.

A total of 2,100 people registered for the event, more than half from outside of Orange, the first-ever across-the-board sellout.

 First places in the Sunday morning Orange Marathon went to Zac Rosser with a time of 2:39:30 and Greta Truscott with a time of 3:21:02.

Lachlan Oakes and Paige Campbell took the top prizes in the Half Marathon, finishing 1:14:58 and 1:19:48 respectively.

Mitchell Williamson ran an impressive 34:07 to win the Men’s 10K, while local runner Lauren Reid took the top prize in the Women’s 10K, finishing in 37:06. 

The 5K was the most hotly contested race with over 700 entrants. Max Martinez proved to be the fastest, sprinting home in 16:29, while Nicole Williamson claimed the women’s prize in 20:57, just edging out local young runner Isobel Curran who posted a very impressive 21:08.

The High School Challenge was won by Kinross Wolaroi School, while Canobolas Public School stood on top of the podium for the Primary School Challenge. 

In the Workplace Challenge, with the team from PHYZ X beat previous repeat winner Cook & Roe.

On Saturday afternoon, the Orange Mile events kicked off the Festival with Women’s Orange Mile Winner, Paige Campbell, completing the 1.6 loops of Gosling Creek Reserve in 5:06, and Men’s Orange Mile Winner, Mitchell Williamson, posting a lightning fast 4:27 for the win. 

The Junior Orange Mile demonstrated the depth of local young running talent. The girls podium included Milla Jurd, Skye Napier and Lucy Jurd while the boys podium featured Nick Irwin, Maxwell Horne and Blake Gleeson, all from the local area.

The new Orange Community Mile drew a motivated crowd of more than 200 people, young and old, who enjoyed the run or walk and being part of the festival experience.

The Mile races were part of a full Saturday afternoon program of events with the races and award presentation followed by live music.  

The Orange Running Festival Committee and Orange Runners Club wished to thank all the sponsors that made the event possible.

Full results from the eight events can be found at www.orangerunningfestival.com.au

Photos and highlights from throughout the weekend are also available on the festival's Facebook page.