More than 2,300 runners are expected to take part in this weekend’s Orange Running Festival at Gosling Creek Reserve, the largest number of participants in the festival’s 18-year history.

Founded in 2007, the volunteer-run Orange Running Festival has continued to grow year-on-year, drawing runners from all over Australia to compete in events ranging from a two-kilometre fun run to a full marathon.

Speaking with festival coordinator Anthony Daintith earlier this week, he said they had already passed 2,000 entries by midday on Monday and he expected between 2,300–2,400 people to have signed up by the time the festival gets underway on Saturday, March 9.

“This is the most we've ever had,” Anthony said. “Last year was a record — we had 2,100 last year — and we're going to surpass that again.”

The festival has seen particular growth in the last three years, Anthony said, putting it down to a desire to get outside and keep active after the Covid lockdowns of 2020 and 2021.

“I think there's an appetite from people to get out and about again. The last three years, coming out of COVID, we’ve increased each year,” he said, adding that their volunteer committee has worked hard to get the word out about the festival.

“We’ve marketed well and I think there's a lot of word of mouth that we put on a good festival,” Anthony said.

“That gets around and people want to come out to Orange and hopefully spend the weekend out here and just enjoy the region.”

Anthony said more than half of those participating in the Orange Running Festival are visitors to the region.

“It normally works out that 50 to 55 per cent of entrants come from outside the 2800 postcode,” he said.

“So there's a couple from overseas and, I think we got people from every state and territory in Australia.”

With strong early registrations for the half marathon, festival organisers expanded the event, but it has reached capacity along with the 10k race.

The Orange Running Festival will get underway at Gosling Creek Reserve on Saturday afternoon with 2K Dash events for women, men, school children and the community.

“We have live music with Megan Woods on Saturday,” Anthony said. “And we've got food and drink vendors… So we're trying to make it a real carnival-type atmosphere across the weekend.”

The marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K events will take place on Sunday morning, during which Forest Road will be closed and some other local roads affected. All roads will be progressively opened throughout the morning and all open by 1pm.

For those wanting to take part in the 2K Dash events the deadline for entry is Friday, March 8 at 4pm. Registrations for the marathon close on Saturday, March 9 at 4pm.

For more information you can visit: www.orangerunningfestival.com.au