As an addition to my previous article on low and no cost runs in South Australia, I thought I’d do a few reviews of these runs for you. This one’s of the Orrorroo Half Marathon which also includes a 5km and 10km distance plus a scramble for the kids.

Location

Orrorroo is about 280kms north of Adelaide, and about a 3.5hr drive, so unless you’re from up North, it’s a cut lunch and a compass to get out there, and more than likely an over nighter. It’s a relatively small town so accommodation options are a little limited, but there’s a few nearby towns about half hour away if you miss out on something local. (I booked late – literally a day or two before – and missed out on anything in Orrorroo so stayed in nearby Peterborough at the Railway Hotel/Motel for around $100. They have rooms in the hotel, and motel rooms out the back.)

 

Race choices

The race itself has a 5km ($20), 10km ($30) and 21km ($30) option, plus a short kid’s ‘scramble’. As you can imagine in a more out of the way location like this, there weren’t exactly 100s of runners, but those who did show up brought their enthusiasm with them and cheered every single person across the line – which is more than I can say about a lot of bigger races.

 

Elevation

The 21km course is an out and back on the RM Williams Way, with the turnaround point at the Melrose Rd intersection. The run out has a few slight ‘bumps’, but with the exception of one small section, is technically all uphill – the first few KMs have 16-22meters of up-ness, and while it’s still mathematically up from there, realistically there’s nothing you can really feel so it’s probably better described as flat. Not surprisingly then, the way back is all downhill, with some much welcome down-ness in the last few kms to get you home.

 

The surface

You run on roads the whole way. It has to be said, the main road is not closed to vehicles, so you’ll be sharing it with local traffic – all of whom were super considerate and slowed down and moved over when I was out there. That also means you’re running closer to the verge, and if like me you want to be nice to the drivers, you may even duck onto the gravel quickly to let the cars pass by safely and easily. The organisers request you don’t hog the lane and run any more than two across, which is fair enough. The road itself is in good condition so unless you stray over to the gravel which can be a bit tricky, it’s all good underfoot. The biggest hazard is likely to be a whiff of roadkill.

 

Support

Support is good. From memory, about every 2.5kms with water and some lollies if you ask nicely. Would be easy to have someone in a car make your own hydration/nutrition available along the course if you wanted to.

 

Start/Finish line

Starts and finishes in the same place. No bells or whistles, just some enthusiastic cheering and a cold bottle or water. It’s right out front of a lovely old hall, (the main council hall I think?), and right next door to the toilets. Handy. Not sure if there’s any facility to leave a bag but there’s plenty of parking right nearby.

A few shops including a small supermarket and a coffee shop/bakery right across the road if you’re feeling a bit peckish or want something for the drive home. Not sure they’re open beforehand but were definitely open afterwards.

 

Notes

The 21km does not start til 9am. At that time of year that could make it quite warm by the time you cross the finish line. When I ran it in 2018 it was overcast and windy and the temperature was fine. The headwind on the way out was a bit shit though.

Because of the smaller field you may find yourself with not a lot of other people around at times. The out and back course means you’ll at least see some people at some stage regardless of how fast, or slow, you run.

 

2018 Bling/Prices/Finishers

21km ($30 entry): 26 runners, 6 walkers

10km ($30 entry): 7 runners, 6 walkers

5km ($20 entry): 32 runners, 10 walkers

Kid’s ‘Scramble’ ($5 entry).

Race number. No bling.

Singlet available to order for $30.

 

My verdict

I actually really enjoyed this run. Felt a bit more like a trail run given the wide open spaces. Well organised. Great vibe. But understand it’s a long way to drive for people not from the area. Would make sense to make a weekend of it and maybe do some sightseeing in Melrose, Burra or somewhere else nearby.

 

GPS

My Strava GPS data is here.

 

Gallery

 

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