8 replies to this topic

[Joe Cole]

I'm tossing up which marathon to do on July 2nd. I know about Gold Coast. Big field, fast course etc etc. But what about Pichi Richi, I know it's reasonably small, but is it a quick/slow course??

[RunDave]

I haven't run it, but I know that it is a slower course due to the climb through the lower Flinders Ranges. Probably 10-20 mins slower for a 3 to 3.5 hour runner. I have heard that this will be it's last year, so it may be a good one to go in before it's gone. Sadly, I don't have the time or money to get up there for it at the moment. I think Kelvin has been in it a few times. Hopefully he will be able to comment.

[RunDave]

BTW, I don't think you could have chosen two more different marathons in terms of field, location, speed, road conditions, support etc. If you want something like Gold Coast, Pichi Richi certainly isn't it.

[Dazza K]

Hello Kelvin, are you out there to answer this as the holder of the Pichi Richi title for the last two years?

Combined with the title from the inaugural rib-eating competition after GC mara last year, could you compare these two for us please?

Then again, if it's near Quorn, it's pretty flat around there so could be good with a smaller field.

[Horrie]

It all depends on what your preferences are Joe.

Small V Big. Country V City.

I wouldn't listen to Kelvin's opinion. He would be biased towards Pichi Richi, having won it the last 2 years.  ;)

[AndrewC]

Um...is it worth mentioning that the Perth Marathon is on the same day? Wouldn't want to cause too much indecision or anything like that....  :)

I have never run Gold Coast (and very unlikely ever to do so), but I have done Pichi Richi twice and it's a great race - both for atmosphere and the course.  If you're only after a quick time to put on your profile page, give Pichi Richi a miss; but if you want scenery, a sense of achievement and adventure, head for Port Augusta.  If this is really the last year (where did that come from???) I might have to head back for one more tilt.

Or there's still Perth...WAMC puts in a superlative effort, so it's well worth considering.

Big weekend any way you look at it.

- AndrewC

[Kelvin]

Love both of these races, but for totally different reasons. Gold Coast is flat, fast and a great atmosphere (which may well inspire you to new heights timewise), although personally find the course spends too much time down the Runaway Bay end nowadays rather down towards Burleigh (for purposes of traffic management).
Pichi Richi is definitely 10 to 15 minutes slower as is basically uphill from 15 to 40 K's (did 2:56 at Gold Coast then a week later backed up with 3:06 and probably ran better).
Certainly hard to compare 20 to 30 starters to 2000 odd, but the fact is it's a great place to run, especially if you can get to the half marathon point in time to race against the people in that as well, gives you a real push, also the simple fact i love point to point races.
Certainly a real small town friendly community feeling about it all.
Have to admit i have an unenviable choice this year of either doing my 10th Gold Coast (basically my second home marathon) or my 4th and apparently last Pichi Richi (was mentioned by the race organiser in his speech last year as well as Julia's article in Runners World) as well as an attempt at a hat trick of wins.
I think really the choice of which you do is really up to your own personal goals. Also there is the fact that the Gold Coast is much easier to get to (15 hour odd drive from Melbourne to Port Augusta though i could say the GC is a 21 hour drive    :D   ).
As for Perth that will need to wait for another year as have run at least a marathon in every other state and territory but have never even been to WA.

[RMC]

Haven't run Pichi Richi and if it's the last year this year I better make some sort of effort but the location is a problem being so far out of Adelaide. Have run Gold Coast 3 times and certainly a good course to achieve a time goal. Weather at GC is also perfect coming out of a Victoria winter. As others have said do you want a fast flat marathon with 2000 runners or a hilly terrained marathon with 30 odd runners?

[penny b]

I've run them both and if it is trophies you are after then Pichi Richi is the one, esp if you are female (which Joe I guess you are not!!!!) as there are not alot of starters. Our times were terrible for Pichi Richi and it was jolly cold at the start but lots of fun after the first hour.(about 30 starters, 3 females!!!) Not as hilly as I had expected but long!!!!Gold Coast is a huge experience that you have to do at least once.So Joe..............p'haps toss a coin!!! as both are great fun