Coober Pedy Oval parkrun

parkrun is a free, friendly, volunteer-run 5km event held every Saturday morning all over the world — and Coober Pedy has its own at the Coober Pedy Oval. It’s not a race: you can run, jog, walk or just come along to volunteer, and every finisher is timed.

The basics

• When: every Saturday at 8:00am.
• Where: start and finish at the Coober Pedy Oval, 61 Hutchison Street. It’s an out-and-back course on the town’s signature outback gravel and dirt — flat but dusty, so sturdy shoes beat road runners.
• Cost: completely free.
• Register first: sign up once (for free) at parkrun.com.au and bring a scannable copy of your barcode — no barcode, no time. The same barcode works at any parkrun worldwide, so it’s perfect if you’re passing through.

Bring the dog

parkrun is dog-friendly: you’re welcome to bring one dog per person, kept on a short, non-extendable lead and held at all times. The Oval is also the spot where plenty of locals walk their dogs through the week, so it’s a natural place for a stroll — just carry water for both of you. Afterwards the group heads to the Outback Bar & Grill for a post-run coffee — a great way to meet locals if you’re new in town.

It runs year-round, so check the event page for any heat or weather cancellations before you head down in summer.