GOLD COAST IS CALLING
Queensland’s most incredible holiday destinations are ready to welcome you. There are so many places to explore on the Gold Coast, so say hello to new adventures.
A very warm welcome to the 2024 Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS. This event is a highlight in Queensland’s event calendar delivering a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Gold Coast region as a tourism and major event destination.
The Queensland Government is proud to support this event through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Major Event funding. It is a quintessential Queensland experience and is set to contribute towards a $850 million Queensland Events Calendar in 2024.
It is exciting for all involved in this event to have achieved record entry numbers this year, indicative of the reputation
Welcome from the Minister Welcome from the MAYOR
The Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS is a signature event in our ever-growing events calendar and has captured the hearts and minds of Gold Coasters since its inception.
We welcome runners from far and wide, and what an achievement to have the highest entry numbers ever with a record of more than 30,000 participants from all over Australia and the world.
The spectacular course truly showcases our amazing city. Thanks to all the volunteers and behind the scenes crews who bring this world-class event to fruition.
the Gold Coast Marathon enjoys on the world sporting stage. And to achieve two World Athletics Labels for both the ASICS Marathon and Half Marathon this year takes the event to new heights.
My very best wishes to all participants over race weekend.
For locals, celebrate the opportunity to be a part of such a spectacular, world-class event in your own backyard.
And for visitors to the Gold Coast and Queensland, enjoy the experience and immerse yourselves in our local culture and explore the many attractions this area has to offer.
The Hon. Michael Healy MP,
Minister for Tourism and Sport
This event is in a class of its own with participation from elite athletes and para-athletes to recreational runners, families and children.
It is an event that offers a race for all ages and abilities, with locals coming out to cheer on the runners and motivate them to reach the finish line.
A special welcome to all the visiting runners, we hope while you are here you get the opportunity to stay on and enjoy all that the Gold Coast has to offer.
Good luck to you all, and we look forward to seeing many PB’s, no matter which challenge you are taking on!
Tom Tate Mayor
Events Management QueenslandChairman Paul Donovan Welcome
It is my absolute pleasure to welcome participants, event partners, family and friends to the record breaking 2024 Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS.
The journey over the last few months to this point has been nothing short of exhilarating and nerve-racking at the same time. Being overwhelmed with early entries for the 42.195km marathon the team were determined to find a viable solution that would allow more participants to enjoy the marathon challenge.
We are grateful to all the stakeholders who supported the course amendments which enabled thousands more eager runners to enter and we’re confident the new course will pave the way for the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon to expand even further in the future.
Hot on the heels of the marathon reaching capacity, the half marathon also sold out and for the first time in its history entry to the Southern Cross University 10km Run also filled.
We would like to thank everyone who registered for events, waited patiently on waitlists and worked with us as we managed the unprecedented demand we have experienced this year.
We are delighted to welcome back our major event partners, Tourism and Events Queensland, Experience Gold Coast, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast Airport, Gold Coast
Bulletin, CPL and my heartiest congratulations and gratitude to our longest standing partner, ASICS for taking a step up to naming rights of the event and our signature marathon race.
To our event partners, welcome back to FIXX, Australia Fair, Feetures, fisiocrem, Nu -Pure spring water and Air Asia and welcome aboard to new partners, Crowne Plaza, Chemist Warehouse, SHOKZ, 2nu, Pauls plus protein, Dreamworld, Native State, Fun Day Natural Sweets and Marathon Tours and Travel.
To our long list of supporters, the legend and event ambassadors, our wonderful volunteers and all the stakeholders who contribute to this event - please accept our heartfelt thanks.
The Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS now boasts two prestigious World Athletics Labels for the 42.195km race and the half marathon. This accolade takes our event to a whole new level on the international sporting stage and highlights EMQ’s capability to deliver world class events. To say I’m proud of the team ably led by Ben Mannion is an understatement. They are truly passionate professionals who love where they live and what they do.
Enjoy participating in this year’s event. We’ll be cheering for you all.
Paul Donovan Events Management Queensland Chairman
RACE START TIMES Audience Guide
Saturday 6 July
6:15am Half Marathon
First finisher from 7:16am
9:40am Gold Coast Bulletin 2km Junior Dash
First finisher from 9:46am
9:50am Wheelchair 4km
First finisher from 10:05am
10:00am Gold Coast Bulletin 4km Junior Dash
First finisher from 10:15am
10:30am Gold Coast Airport 5km
First finisher from 10:45am
Sunday 7 July
6:10am CPL Wheelchair Marathon
First finisher from 7:40am
6:15am ASICS Gold Coast Marathon
First finisher from 8:23am
6:40am CPL Wheelchair 10km
First finisher from 7:10am
6:45am Southern Cross University 10km Run
First finisher from 7:13am
Start & Finish Locations
The start and finish lines for all events at the Gold Coast Marathon are located at the Race Precinct at the Broadwater Parklands in Southport.
Please note new start location for marathon distance events - See start line page
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Live Stream
Saturday: 6am to 7:45am
Sunday: 6am to 9am
Live race vision with expert commentary and special guest interviews with race winners, event ambassadors and many more.
Live Broadcast (QLD Time - AEST)
9GEM Sunday: 6am to 9am
Results - goldcoastmarathon.com.au
Live tracking in the ASICS Marathon and Half Marathon Live results for all races
Social Media #GCM24
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Website - goldcoastmarathon.com.au
GCM ApP
Live Results
Track multiple runners on course
(Marathon & Half Marathon) Live Split Times
Live Leaderboard
Stream
Line Camera
Oceania first as Gold Coast’s distance events earn World Athletics stamps of approval
This July’s 2024 ASICS Gold Coast Marathon and Half Marathon races have been awarded prestigious World Athletics Labels to officially cement their global standings.
And while the full distance marathon has carried a Label since 2013, this year marks the first time two Oceania distance races at the same event have been awarded the status.
According to Events Management Queensland CEO Ben Mannion, the World Athletics assessment criteria are exhaustive.
“The races must attract international elite fields, the course must be measured, managed, and timed to precise Association of International Marathons and Distance Race (AIMS) and World Athletics standards, a specified number of doping tests must be carried out and the prize money must be equal irrespective of gender or nationality.
“There’s also an understandably strong focus on meeting the highest medical requirements including the physical facilities and the professional qualifications of our medical staff.
“Our event medical director Dr Hayley Frieslich recently completed the Race Emergency Medicine Course (REMC) – a mandatory condition for Label Road Races which trains healthcare professionals
“There’s plenty more criteria to meet including the sustainability of events and provision of top-level spectator opportunities and media operations.
“We’ve met all of the requirements which put our two Gold Coast events in rarified air when it comes to the delivery and experience they offer each and every person who takes part,” Mr Mannion said.
Queensland Minister for Tourism and Sport Michael Healy welcomed the announcement that the Gold Coast Marathon event would now boast two prestigious World Athletics Label races and congratulated the team at Events Management Queensland for their efforts in delivering such a professional and world-class event.
“The Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS is one of the key events in our calendar and the inclusion of two World Athletics Label races takes this showpiece event to a whole new level, positioning Queensland on the world stage.
“This prestigious event not only brings in significant economic and tourism benefits but also highlights our state’s capability to deliver a diverse range of globally recognised events.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate added his heartiest congratulations on the event’s new status on the world distance running stage.
“Events Management Queensland has gone through the rigorous task of meeting the requirements for this recognition and should be very proud of their efforts.
“The fact that this is the first time any distance running event in the Oceania region has achieved two races with World Athletic Labels certainly speaks volumes for the quality of this remarkable home-grown Gold Coast event,” Mayor Tate said.
ASICS GOLD COAST MARATHON
Information for runners
Start Time: Sunday at 6:15am
Recommended Arrival Time: 5:15am
Cut Off Time for Runners (Gun Time): 6 hours 40 minutes
On Stage Presentation: 9:40am
Finisher Rewards:
Official finisher shirt, gift, medal and certificate
Placegetter Prize Money
1st - $15,000 2nd - $7,500 3rd - $4,000
For a full prize money and incentive money schedule for elite participants visit goldcoastmarathon.com.au/prize-money
Championships
Queensland Marathon Championships
Australian Defence Marathon Championships
Australian Masters Athletics Marathon Championships
Queensland Masters Athletics Marathon Championships
Race Information goldcoastmarathon.com.au/races/marathon
Race Statistics
2023 Winners
Top 10 All Time Performances
Interesting stats
Most wins (men): 4 - Pat Carroll (AUS)
Most wins (women): 4 - Margaret Reddan (AUS)
Most consecutive wins: 3 - Margaret Reddan (AUS) {84-86}
Multiple race winners: 10
Most race sub 2:10 times (men): 4 - Kenneth Mungara (KEN)
Most race sub 2:30 times (women): 2 - Risa Takenaka (JPN) 2024 will be Yuki Kawauchi's 11th time running the Gold Coast Marathon
The contenders
Elite Men
Felix Kandie (Kenya)
PB: 2:06:03 (Seoul, 2017)
Yuki Kawauchi (Japan)
PB: 2:07:27 (Lake Biwa, 2022)
Timothy Kipkorir Kattam (Kenya)
PB: 2:07:53 (Milan, 2023)
Yuta Koyama (Japan)
PB: 2:07:57 (Osaka, 2023)
Mizuki Higashi (Japan)
PB: 2:08:03 (Osaka, 2024)
Yuki Nakamura (Japan)
PB: 2:08:29 (Hofu, 2022)
Kiyoshi Koga (Japan)
PB: 2:08:30 (Oita, 2022)
Kibet Soyekwo (Uganda)
PB: 2:10:58 (Milan, 2023)
Thomas Do Canto (Australia)
PB: 2:11:51 (Velencia, 2023)
Reece Edwards (Australia
PB: 2:13:23 (Rotterdam, 2021)
Elite Women
Visiline Jepkesho (Kenya)
PB: 2:21:37 (Paris, 2017)
Rie Kawauchi (Japan)
PB: 2:25:35 (Osaka, 2022)
Misato Horie (Japan)
PB: 2:25:44 (Osaka, 2017)
Kumeshi Sichala (Ethiopia)
PB: 2:26:01 (Kosice, 2019)
Aynalem Kasahun Teferi (Ethiopia)
PB: 2:26:12 (Cape Town, 2021)
Milly Clark (Australia)
PB: 2:26:59 (Melbourne, 2021)
Shiho Kanshige (Japan)
PB: 2:28:51 (Osaka, 2020)
Min Liu (China)
PB: 2:29:24 (Wuxi, 2024)
Sarah Klein (Australia)
PB: 2:30:10 (Eugene, 2022)
Yuki Nakamura (Japan)
PB: 2:30:31 (Nagoya, 2024)
Strongest field ever to jump to the gun in 2024
ASICS Gold Coast Marathon
Twelve men with sub 2:10 performances to their names will present as the strongest field to ever jump to the starting gun in the 44-year history of the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon.
The field offers the tantalising prospect of a new race record with the ink barely dry on Japan’s Naoki Koyama’s 2:07:40 from last year.
Kenyan Felix Kandie (38) has the fastest personal best in the men’s field with a 2:06:03 PB, and the experience of having run under 2:07 four times in international marathon competition.
He has also finished in the top five at three World Marathon Majors (in Boston and twice in Berlin).
The flat Gold Coast course and mild mid-winter temperatures will suit him perfectly, as will having a class field on his hammer the entire distance.
Fellow Kenyan Timothy Kattam ran a 2:07:53 to come second in the Milan Marathon last year to also stake his claim in this race while a group of eight Japanese runners who have all finished in sub 2:09 territory round out the top 10.
Yuta Koyama, Mizuki Higashi, Yuki Nakamura, Kiyoshi Koga, Daiji Kawai, Kenji Yamamoto, Naoki Aiba and Rintaro Takeda will all be aware of Japan’s proud history in this race and keen to have their names etched into the record books.
Japan has delivered 10 previous Gold Coast winners since Shinji Kawashima’s breakthrough victory in 1991, including the past three. This includes the current race record holder, Naoki Koyama, who won the 2023 Gold Coast Marathon in 2:07:40 in July before going on to win the Marathon Grand Championship race, Japan’s marathon trials for the 2024 Paris Olympics in October.
Another in contention sitting dangerously just outside the top 10 is fellow runner from the Land of the Rising Sun in 2022 Gold Coast Marathon second placegetter Akihiro Kaneko.
Past champion and crowd favourite Yuki Kawauchi will take off with the elites in his first race since a serious hamstring injury and may choose to run alongside his younger brother Yoshiki in his debut ASICS Gold Coast Marathon.
Australian hopes rest with 2016 Melbourne Marathon winner Thomas Do Canto and 33-year-old 2023 Melbourne Marathon winner Reece Edwards while there will be plenty of interest in debutantes, Brisbane’s 2022 Bridge to Brisbane winner Liam Boudin and South Australia’s Adrian Potter.
Fellow debutantes from across the ditch Chris Dryden and Julian Oakley, Auckland 2016 and Christchurch 2019 marathon winner Oska Inkster-Baynes and 36-year-old journeyman David Ridley will carry New Zealand hopes on the day.
Felix Kandie
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Witness the first-ever fully electric BMW iX2 leading the charge as the official pace car of this year’s marathon. Emission-free, and sustainably built, the BWM iX2 redefines performance and is ready for anything.
Kenyan runner to start favourite for 2024 ASICS Gold Coast Marathon women’s race
Kenya’s Visiline Jepkesho will start as the top fancy in the 2024 ASICS Gold Coast Marathon with eight other women who all know what it’s like to crack the 2:30 barrier.
Indeed, an outstanding field of Japanese, Australian and Ethiopian runners and a challenger from China will be out to keep her honest in her debut Gold Coast run.
Jepkesho (34), who has won marathons in France, Netherlands and Slovenia, comes into the race with her 2:21:37 PB the best of the field. But she hasn’t bettered that mark since 2017 and she’ll need to quickly rediscover that form to give Lindsay Flanagan’s 2:24:43 race record a shake.
Japanese runners Rie Kawauchi (PB 2:25:35), Misato Horie (2:25:44) and Shiho Kanshige (2:28:51) will also be out win the race.
Kawauchi took victory in this year’s Nagano Marathon and Kanshige placed third at the 2022 Gold Coast Marathon while Horie won here in 2016 to become the sixth fastest woman ever on the Gold Coast course with her time of 2:26:40.
Tellingly Horie is also the most recent of the 14 Japanese women who have won this race.
Ethiopia will be well represented by Kumeshi Sichala (2:26:01) and Aynalem Teferi who notched her 2:26:12 PB with a third placing in the 2021 Cape Town Marathon in South Africa.
Meanwhile Australian hopes at being the first local winner since Lauren Shelley’s 2009 triumph rest with two runners who know the course well.
Milly Clark and Sarah Klein have both competed on the Gold Coast many times with Clark winning the ASICS Half Marathon
a decade ago in 2014 and running a gallant second to two-time winner Rodah Tanui in 2019, when she finished strongly but ran out of road.
She has a 2:26:59 PB over the marathon distance by virtue of her win in the 2021 Melbourne Marathon.
Klein (39) also knows the taste of marathon victory after winning the 2022 Newcastle Marathon in 2:30:49, and a fourth place in this year’s Milan Marathon indicates she’s running into some serious form at the right time.
A solid result here will extend a deep association of this event that started way back in 2008 with victory in that year’s Southern Cross University 10km Run.
And as if to underline the international status of the women’s marathon, rounding out the top 10 will be China’s Min Liu who ran a 2:29:24 in Wuxi earlier this year. She won the 2023 Beijing Half Marathon and if momentum is with her, she could well be the first Chinese runner, man or woman, to taste victory in any ASICS Gold Coast Marathon event.
Milly Clark
Visiline Jepkesho
www.feetures.com.au
just a short 24 hours later with another starter's gun heralding the second leg of their 63.3km trek with a marathon 42.2km’s ahead.
More than 560 participants from all over Australia will pound the pavements for a triple medal haul alongside Guinness World Record holder and Gold Coast Marathon ambassador, Erchana Murray-Barlett.
Erchana will line up following an epic year that has included a 500km run from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, non-stop across Death Valley in an invite only challenge called the Speed Project. Erchana took the second step on the 63.3km podium in 2023 and is eager to make it to the top in 2024 albeit with a few more contenders in the increasingly popular double race.
Erchana Murray-Barlett
GEt RACE WEEKEND READY!
APP FEATURES
ꞏ Live Tracking (Marathon/Half Marathon)
- NOTE: Participants do not need to carry their phones for this feature to work.
ꞏ Live tracking uses split times to predict runners course position.
ꞏ Live Splits (Marathon/Half Marathon/10km)
ꞏ Follow Multiple Runners
ꞏ Results
ꞏ Live Leaderboard
ꞏ Livestream
ꞏ Finish Line Camera
ꞏ Course Maps
ꞏ Event Schedule
ꞏ Fan Zone Locations
ꞏ Notifications & Updates
*Live tracking in 42km and 21km races uses split times from the timing chip to predict runner's course position
- No need to take your phone
HALF MARATHON
Information for runners
Start Time Saturday at 6:15am
Recommended Arrival Time 5:15am
Cut Off Time for Runners (gun time)
3 hours 20 minutes
On Stage Presentation 8:45am
Finisher Rewards
Official finisher shirt, medal and certificate
Placegetter Prize Money
1st - $5,000 2nd - $2,500 3rd - $1,000
For the full prize money and incentive money schedule for elite participants visit goldcoastmarathon.com.au/prize-money
Championships
Oceania Half Marathon Championships
Race Information goldcoastmarathon.com.au/races/half-marathon
2023 Winners
5 All Time Performances
INTERESTING STATS
Most wins (men): 2 - Brett Robinson (AUS), Martin Dent (AUS), Jeff Hunt (AUS), Patrick Nyangelo (TAN), Jack Rayner (AUS)
Most wins (women): 3 - Lisa Weightman (AUS), Takako Kotarida (JPN), Jenny Lund (AUS) 2 - Sara Hall (USA), Eloise Wellings (AUS)
Gold Coast Half Marathon to provide the perfect final preparation for Paris Bound Aussie
Paris-bound Australian marathoner Jess Stenson (1:10:59 PB) will be hoping for the best 2024 Olympic preparation possible when she lines up in the Saturday 6 July Gold Coast Half Marathon.
She’s a huge name in a stellar line up of Australian running champions who’ll join her on the start line alongside an international field of serious challengers who’ll also line up on the day.
It’ll be a final hit out on familiar streets for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games marathon champion who knows the Gold Coast streets like the back of her hand and will be keen for the course and conditions to deliver the perfect Paris preparation.
Another who knows the Gold Coast streets well is 2017 and 2018 winner of this event Sara Hall who went on to set an American half marathon record of 1:07:15 in Houston in early 2022, before it was lowered by a slender four seconds by Emily Sisson five months later.
Forty-one-year-old Hall just missed out on a USA Olympic berth for Paris but will arrive here keen to snare the double of countrywoman Keira D'Amato’s 1:06:39 race record from last year and Weini Kelati’s USA record of 1:06:25 set at the 2024 Houston Half Marathon.
Eloise Wellings (1:09:29) won this race in 2015 and 2022 and will want to stand on the top step again in such a
class field and again show the enviable depth of Australia’s distance running stocks.
Meanwhile another evergreen, 35-year-old, Australian Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games marathoner Ellie Pashley (1:09:14) will be keen to complete the trophy set after her second in this race in 2019 and her third in 2022.
Leanne Pompeani (27) again steps up to run the 21.1km after her famous Southern Cross University 10km victories of 2016, 2019 and 2022 and on the back of notching a career-best 1:09:07 second in this race last year.
She would dearly like to go one better and plonk a fourth Gold Coast winner’s trophy to her already crowded mantlepiece.
The North America front row flavour continues in the form of Canadians Andrea Seccafien and Natasha Wodak who bring into the race closely matching PBs of 1:09:38 and 1:09:41 respectively.
They also know how to set a best mark with Seccafien the Canadian half marathon national record holder and Wodak the Canadian women’s full distance marathon national record holder.
Meanwhile determined Japan trio Rinka Hida (1:10:10), Yukari Nagatomo (1:10:34) and Moe Shimizu (1:10:37) will be doing all they can to get a Japanese woman’s name on the winner’s trophy for the first time since 2008.
Jess Stenson placing 2nd at the 2018 Gold Coast Marathon
Sara Hall winning the 2018 Half Marathon
Aussies ripe for the challenge from Japanese runners in Gold Coast Men’s Half Marathon
Two Aussies who have known podium action at a Gold Coast Half Marathon will have to repel a determined Japanese offensive to stand on the top step for the first time in 2024.
Sydney’s Ed Goddard (1:02:16 PB) finished second behind back-to-back champion Brett Robinson in 2022 while Brisbane’s Tim Vincent (1:02:01 PB) finished third.
After competing in last year’s full distance Gold Coast Marathon both have dialed the distance back and will be as keen as each other to take a shifting spanner to Kenyan Benson Masya’s rusted on 1:01:16 Gold Coast 21.1km race record from 1992.
But standing in their way on Saturday 6 July will be a band of Japanese challengers just as keen to regain the title for their nation for the first time since Hiroki Yamagishi’s 2017 victory.
Leading the charge will be the quartet of Shunsuke Shikama, Koki Kamata, Soushi Suzuki and Daisuke Doi who ominously all ran below Gold Coast race record pace at Yamaguchi, Japan in February this year.
Shikama took the win in 1:00:41 with his three compatriots all finishing within 10 seconds of the 23-year-old to throw down a national group challenge of sorts for this race.
Three of the four are 10,000m and half marathon specialists with Doi the exception spending his time between half marathon and full distance, most recently racking up fifth place at the 2024 Osaka Marathon.
Compatriots Haruki Abe (1:02:05), Kenya Sonota (1:02:20) and Naoya Sakuda (1:02:22) also have decent times over the distance, but only 31-year-old Sonata has tasted top level success, albeit nine years ago at Japan’s 2015 Ageo Half Marathon.
Also, in the mix is 2010 4km Junior Dash winner, South Australia’s Riley Cocks, who has spent most of his time over
the past few years competing over the marathon and half distances.
The now 28-year-old finished 13th in last year’s Gold Coast full distance race but brings a competitive half marathon PB of 1:02:43 into this effort after a solid run at Japan’s 2023 Marugame Half Marathon.
Another Australian to keep an eye on is Andy Buchanan, the seventh fastest of only nine Australian men to have run under 2:10 in a full distance marathon, a feat he achieved at the Hamburg Marathon in May this year.
The 33-year-old 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games marathoner and 10,000m specialist has proved himself agile to most distances and brings a 1:02:50 PB into this race from his win in the Tachikawa (Japan) Half Marathon in 2019.
New Zealand will be represented on the front row by 2023 third placegetter Cameron Avery who ran 1:02:50 in that race and who will be out to stand two steps higher on the podium in an event that doubles as the Oceania Half Marathon Championships.
And in a further boost to the field, the hugely popular 2022 Gold Coast Marathon full distance champion, Japan’s Jo Fukuda, will line up to take his chances over the shorter journey, odds on to line up with his trademark dyed blue hair.
Fukuda’s front row appearance is by virtue of a 1:02:25 PB run at the Marugame Half Marathon in 2019, a form he’ll need to revisit and a time he’ll need to reset if his name is to appear on the honour boards of the two Gold Coast longest distance races.
It’s a feat only achieved by four men in the past in three-time Olympian and 2006 Gold Coast Marathon champion Lee Troop, four-time Gold Coast Marathon winner Pat Carroll, two-time Gold Coast Marathon victor Tanzanian Dickson Marwa and another legendary Aussie Andrew Lloyd who all bagged one half marathon here each.
Shunsuke Shikama Koki Kamata Soushi Sukuki
Tim Vincent Ed Goddard
Information for participants
Start Time Sunday at 6:10am
Recommended Arrival Time 5:10am
Cut Off Time (gun time) 6 hours 45 minutes On Stage Presentation 9:50am
Finisher Rewards
Official finisher shirt, gift, medal & certificate
Placegetter Prize Money
1st - $2,500 2nd - $1,250 3rd - $500
For the full prize money and incentive money schedule for elite participants, visit: goldcoastmarathon.com.au/ prize-money/
Race Information
goldcoastmarathon.com.au/races/wheelchair-marathon
Stellar line-up for wheelchair events at 2024 Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS
The 2024 men’s and women’s CPL Wheelchair Marathons are shaping races for the ages with three defending champions returning in the men’s and the race record holder in the women’s hoping to better her own mark before boarding a Paris-bound plane.
Last year’s men’s winner, Japan’s Kota Hokinoue (50) is back to defend his title against the formidable 2022 champion Jake Lappin and 2015 and 2019 winner Bill Chaffey. Hokinoue posted a 1:36:35 last year and will be hoping a bit more familiarity with the course this year will help edge him closer to Kurt Fearnley’s 2016 race record of 1:30:18.
Lappin’s 2022 time of 1:37:22 puts him right on Hokinoue’s rims while Chaffey brings the money-can’t-buy experience of being a two-time champion to the start line.
South Australia’s Matthew Brumby (46) will be right amongst the action as will 52-year-old Australian Army veteran Pete Rudland who had his first run over this course last year and will have learned plenty along the way.
Race Statistics
Race Records
Men: Kurt Fearnley AUS 1:30:18 2016 Women: Christie Dawes AUS 1:43:45 2016
2023 Winners Men: Kota Hokinoue JPN 1:36:35
Meanwhile, the women’s full wheelchair marathon promises plenty of intrigue with race record holder (1:43:45) and two-time winner, NSW’s Christie Dawes, returning to take on a class field of challengers.
Dawes (44) is an icon of the sport having competed in seven Paralympics from Atlanta in 1996 to Tokyo 2020 and in addition to her two Gold Coast wins in 2000 and 2016 placed second in 2019 and 2022 and 2023.
And although she’s hanging up the Paralympics Lycra for a microphone as an expert Channel 9 commentator at Paris 2024, the competitive fire to do well here will still burn bright.
Hoping to steal a bit of the glow will be ACT 30-year-old marathon debutante Mikaela Dingley who burned serious rubber to win the 10km here in 2022 and Victoria’s Sharnie Digby (54).
CPL Wheelchair 10km
Information for participants
Start Time Sunday at 6:40am
Recommended Arrival Time 5:40am
Cut Off Time (gun time) 1 hours 45 minutes On Stage Presentation 9:25am
CPL Wheelchair 10km Field
In the CPL 10km event, last year’s women’s champion and race record holder Emily Tapp (31:41) returns to try for the first back-to back Gold Coast victory over the distance in a three-way race of sorts against accomplished Gold Coast wheelchair racer, 26-year-old Sara Tait and another Gold Coast local and regular overseas competitor Natasha Price (43).
New South Wales speedster Jono Tang will be out to go one better than his 2022 second place, but to do that he’ll need to hold off celebrated Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Paralympian Geoff Trappett (44) and Grant Cunningham from Clear Island Waters who will compete in this race after a 4km race shakedown the day before.
Sophie and Josh ready to be bold as Brass on Gold Coast Marathon weekend
Windaroo six-year-old Sophie Brass couldn’t be more excited about running in her first Gold Coast Bulletin 2km Junior Dash on Saturday 6 July.
That’s because the ice cream and cartwheels loving youngster will be running on the same day her older brother and training partner Josh (14) will line up in the Gold Coast’s inaugural Wheelchair 4km race.
“This is going to be fun,” the Canterbury College Year 1 student enthused. “I’ve wanted to be a part of what my brother is doing with his racing for a long time and now that I'm older, I can,” she said.
“I’ve been training with Josh and dad, and I have to run extra fast to keep up with Josh’s wheelchair, but I think the race will be fun, even though I know I’ll be tired at the end,” she said.
Sophie’s excitement is shared by her brother who has a genetic condition which affects the part of the spine around the tailbone, and who has raced on and off since he was six.
And Josh says he’s ready to take on the challenge of the Gold Coast Wheelchair 4km race.
“Adding the 4km to the full distance marathon and 10km programs is a great way for people of all ages to get a taste of racing,” he said.
“It’s for anyone who wants to get out of their comfort zone and try new sports.
“It’s a great way for people who didn’t get the opportunity earlier on – for adults that never got the chance to try the sport as a child to give it a go,” he said.
The Gold Coast Marathon weekend is a favourite among wheelchair racing athletes for its course, weather and timing on the competition calendar.
Events Management Queensland CEO Ben Mannion concurs with Josh that the new event opens the door for more people to compete in wheelchairs at a fully sanctioned event.
“It’s something we haven’t offered before, and we hope it becomes the nudge some people need to pursue wheelchair racing as their sport,” he said.
The 2024 Wheelchair 4km is run under Athletics Australia, World Para Athletics and World Athletics rules.
Wheelchair 4km
Information for participants
Start Time Saturday at 9:50am
Recommended Arrival Time 8am
Race Briefing 8:30am
Cut Off Time (gun time) 50 minutes
On Stage Presentation 11:10am
Finisher Rewards
Official finisher shirt, medal & certificate
Sohpie and Josh Brass
Course maps
ASICS Gold Coast Marathon
Half Marathon
Southern Cross University 10km Run
Gold Coast Airport 5km
Gold Coast Bulletin
4km Junior Dash
Wheelchair 4km
Gold Coast Bulletin
2km Junior Dash
Entertainment
HALF MARATHON 21.0975km
PARADISE POINT
RUNAWAY BAY
BIGGERA WATERS
LABRADOR
LEGEND
KM Markers
MUSIC
TURN POINT
WATER STATION
Refreshment Station
Runners Direction
Toilets
WAVEBREAK ISLAND
South Stradbroke ISLAND SOUTHPORT
BROADWATER
SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY 10KM Run 10km
LABRADOR
LEGEND
KM Markers
MUSIC
TURN POINT
WATER STATION
Refreshment Station
(Fuel X Tropical Flavour & Water)
Runners Direction
Toilets
WAVEBREAK ISLAND
BROADWATER
Location
The race precinct is the hub of every major running event and a great place to soak up the atmosphere pre and post-race.
The Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS race precinct is just south of the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre at the Southport Broadwater Parklands.
Here you can find the event lawn featuring the main stage for presentations, the big screen with live race vision, food and beverage outlets, the bag drop and information booth.
NEW START LINE - SOUTH
Wheelchair 10km
SOUTH START LINE
Start Lines
There are three start lines. The start line for the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon and CPL Wheelchair Marathon is the South Start Line on the east side of the Gold Coast Highway beginning just south of Marine Parade. The Half Marathon, Gold Coast Airport 5km Run and Gold Coast Bulletin Junior Dash will begin at the West Start Line on the west side of the Gold Coast Highway heading north from Nerang Street. The Southern Cross University 10km and CPL Wheelchair 10km will begin at the East Start Line on the east side of the Gold Coast Highway heading south from Nerang St.
Finish Line
All races will finish on the eastern side of the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, between the Aquatic Centre and the Broadwater.
Recovery Area
The participant only Recovery Area is the first place you head to when you finish your event. It features the medical centre, Fixx Fuel X, fruit and bottled Nu-Pure water and it’s the place to pick up your finisher rewards.
Event Lawn
The Event Lawn features the main stage for the race presentations, a big screen with live race vision, a variety of food and beverage outlets, a baggage drop and an information booth. The information booth will be the place to go for directions and maps, lost property and terminals to view race results.
Legends Club Clubhouse
Are you part of the Legends Club or are you being inducted this year? Collect your commemorative polo shirts, certificates and trophies from the clubhouse on the eastern side at finishers' corner. Legends also have access to the post-race massage service.
Sport & Leisure Expo
Australia's Largest Running and lifestyle expo
The annual ASICS Sports and Leisure Expo will be located at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) again this year. It's Australia's largest running expo and is expected to attract more than 28,000 visitors.
Head down to the GCCEC to complete your registration and pick up your race kit on Thursday or Friday and with a Saturday pick-up for Sunday races only.
With free admission for the general public the expo will host more than 50 exhibitors, including a huge display of ASICS footwear and fashion, the latest in fitness technology, nutrition and events, and all-important race information for the Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS.
Ensure you explore all the running related booths to make sure you are set for the start line and ready to enjoy your race !
Thursday 4 July 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Note: Busiest period for collection has historically been between 4pm – 6pm
Friday 5 July: 8:00am – 8:00pm
(Last day of collection for Saturday races)
Note: Busiest period for collection has historically been between 11am – 12pm and 4 – 5pm
Saturday 6 July: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre
2684-2690 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach QLD 4218
medal designs inspired by the beauty of Yugambeh Country, where the land meets the sea.
The finisher’s medals for the 2024 Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS have been revealed, featuring a design by Aboriginal Artist, Daisy Hill.
Daisy, a proud Muruwari woman and Contemporary Aboriginal Artist, grew up living between the ocean and hinterland, and draws inspiration for her art from the beautiful environment of Yugambeh.
Daisy says the artwork design was created to celebrate movement, resilience, determination and the unity found in shared dreams – the spirit of the Gold Coast Marathon.
She explains the essence of the design is to honour coming together for the event as many people with one dream. Together, there is a shared purpose to have fun, compete, inspire one another and make lifelong memories together.
And taking her involvement in this year’s event to the next level, Daisy will also compete in the half marathon this year for the first time. She has pledged proceeds from her fundraising to the Indigenous Marathon Foundation.
“Completing a marathon is a significant undertaking that will leave
a lasting imprint on one’s life,” Daisy said.
“I hope each finisher and participant enjoys the essence and spirit of my artwork design as a reminder of the strength, resilience and determination they each hold within.”
Southern Cross University 10km Run
Information for runners
Start Time Sunday at 6:45am
Recommended Arrival Time 5:45am
Cut Off Time for Runners (gun time)
1 hour 40 minutes (Gun Time) On Stage Presentation 9:15am
Finisher Rewards
Official finisher shirt, medal & certificate
Placegetter Prize Money
1st - $1,000 2nd - $750 3rd - $500
For the full prize money and incentive money schedule for elite participants visit goldcoastmarathon.com.au/ prize-money
Race Information
goldcoastmarathon.com.au/races/10km-run
2023 Winners
Field of scholars to tackle Southern Cross University 10km run
Victoria’s Dale Carroll will bring peak form to the Broadwater Parklands start line when he sets out to defend his 2023 Southern Cross University Run 10km title on Sunday 7 July.
The 25-year-old had the perfect warm up to his shot at a rare Gold Coast back-to-back when he took Melbourne’s 2024 Lakeside:10 at Albert Park in early June.
And with a personal best over the distance of 28:52 Carroll must be aware that shaving it just a little more will see him take Jordan Gusman’s 2018 race record of 28:42.
But you can’t have a defending champion without challengers and the Craig Mottram-trained Victorian Haftu Strintzos looms as the leader of the chase pack.
The 24-year-old won the Oceania 10,000m championships in Fiji in June this year and a 28:33 PB he ran over 10,000m on the track in Melbourne in late 2023 also paints him as another challenger to the race record if his conversion to road is successful.
Strintzos brings form and a more than interesting backstory to the race.
Hailing from northern Ethiopia the young Strintzos worked as a shepherd to his family’s animals on steep terrain before emigrating to Australia, which may explain in some way his running ability.
Right amongst the frontrunners will be New South Wales’s Hamish Longworth who is literally running into form after his 29:31 at this year’s Launceston:10.
10km Elite Womens Field
With three-time winner Leanne Pompeani on Gold Coast Half Marathon assignment this year and last year’s winner and race record holder Lisa Weightman absent, the 2024 Southern Cross University 10km Run women’s race is a wide-open affair.
One thing that’s for certain is a new name will be carved on the winner’s trophy this year from a field of aspirants’ keen on a maiden victory and just as eager to lower Weightman’s 32:09 race record set only last year.
South Australian 26-year-old Caitlin Adams comes in as top seed and within closest reach of the record by virtue of the 32:27 personal best she set in winning the Melbourne Running Festival 10km in 2022.
Adams has competed on the Gold Coast enough times to be at home with the course layout and will likely lead the field out.
Right with her will be Victorian thirty-four-year-old Melissa Duncan (33:17) who will draw on a decade of global middle-distance running experience gathered since her breakthrough international appearance in the 1500m at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. She’s coached by Philo Saunders and Nic Bideau who have turned out their fair share of Gold Coast champions in the past.
Perth’s Karen Blaney (34:06) competed in the Half Marathon here in
He’ll shadow Carroll and Strintzos the entire distance, offering few if any breakaway opportunities over the journey.
Another contender is thirty-year-old middle distance track specialist Jack Bruce who hails from the Nic Bideau – Collis Birmingham Melbourne Track Club stable and brings into the race a 28:41 road best from his 2019 Bridge to Brisbane win.
Within arm’s reach will be Teketal Tyson who clocked his 29:59 PB in Launceston three years ago, and Daniel Dreher who ran a gallant third in this year’s Sydney:10 in his best time of 29:53 and who’ll be out to improve on his 11th place finish from last year.
Wollongong’s Luke Hince (29:57) ran 4th last year under the watchful eye of coach and dad Brendon and will be as keen as anyone on a podium appearance in 2024 after having come so close.
Twenty-year-old Gus Gannon, who clocked his PB of 30:07 in this race two years ago, and Victoria’s Matthew Schaumberg (30:39) will also be right amongst the action.
And keep an eye on the duo of Harrison Bagley and Tommy Campbell who boast the near identical PBs of 30:12 and 30:14 respectively and who both deserve serious consideration, while Gold Coast event alumnus Harvey Cramb is another to watch on his first time over the distance here.
He’ll step up to double his workload after winning the Gold Coast Airport 5km in 2022 and running second in that race last year.
2022 and 2023 to finish in unlucky 13th place both times but will be keen to improve those results over the shorter distance.
New Zealand-born Gold Coast teacher Caitlin McQuilkin-Bell (34:12) and Aussie Michelle Edwards (34:42) also boast plenty of middledistance experience and will be right in the mix - Edwards bringing some solid form into the race after taking third place in the 2024 Ballarat 10km in April.
The closeness of the PBs of Duncan, Blaney, McQuilkin-Bell and Edwards suggests they’ll keep each other within eyesight and honest for the entire journey.
Then there are the fellow middle-distance specialists in former steeplechaser Kate Spencer (34:35), Amy Robinson (34:48), Zoe Toland (34:56), Alexandra Blake (35:02), twenty-four-year-old Lilly Ellis (35:19), and Victorian Tullie Rowe who clocked a 35:32 in this race last year to stake her own 2024 front row claim.
The 10km by its very nature is an explosive affair and the two runners knocking on the top 10 door, Loretta Melcer (35:50) and Jennifer Clancy (35:37), will be ready to pounce if an ounce of pressure comes off the accelerator.
And watch out for an international record tilt with Singapore’s Vanessa Lee keen on resetting the Singapore 10km Road national record (currently 36:28) after claiming the 5000m Singapore national record on the track at the Malaysia Open Championships in June this year in 17:26.
Gold Coast Airport 5km
Information for participants
Distance 5km
Start Time Saturday at 10:30am
Recommended Arrival Time 9:30am
Cut Off Time (gun time) 1 hour 20 minutes
Presentations 11:20am
Finisher Rewards
Official finisher shirt, medal & certificate
Placegetter Prize Money
1st - $500 2nd - $300 3rd - $200
For the full prize money and incentive money schedule for elite participants visit goldcoastmarathon.com.au/ prize-money
Race Information
goldcoastmarathon.com.au/races/fun-run
Race Records and 2023 Winners
Men: Harrison Martinenko AUS 14:32 2023
Women: Olga Firsova AUS 15:42 2023
A FLYING START
Field of fleet footed flyers in Gold Coast Airport 5km
A returning women’s champion, a Great Britain flyer and a Queenslander keen to officially make the race record his own will headline the Gold Coast Airport 5km Run on Saturday 6th July.
England’s Jordan Skelly heads Down Under and into the race with a personal best of 14:04, set at Cheshire (UK) earlier this year, and with that time almost half a minute below Harrison Martinenko’s 2023 race record of 14:32, he must be considered a red-hot chance.
The thirty-two-year-old has an impressive track CV and comes into the race as one of the most experienced in the field over every distance from 1500m to half marathon.
Snapping at his heels will be Queensland’s Sam McAuliffe who boasts a personal best of 14:30 and will be keen to use this race as a shakedown for his participation in the World Triathlon Multisport Championships which will be held in Townsville in August.
Seventeen-year-old Brisbane runner Toby Chippendale will be hoping his 15:00 PB set at Sandgate last year counts for something and can be bettered while two more track specialists, 35-year-old James Tunbridge (14:43) and Mitchell Williamson (14:49), will make sure they stay in touch the entire distance.
Meanwhile, 2023 women’s champion and race record holder (15:42) Olga Firsova is back in a race where six of the top seven runners from last year will return.
She’s looking for three podium appearances in a row after last year’s triumph and her second place to inaugural winner Holly Campbell in 2022.
To do that she’ll again need to hold off Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games 3000m steeplechaser Georgia Winkcup who she relegated to second last year but who will arrive back on the 5km start line wiser for that experience.
New Zealand’s Catherine Lund (16:38) will be keen on being the first international winner of the event while the 2022 Australian Under 15 1500m champion Tessa Ebert also returns intent on improving her 16:44 PB from this race last year.
Gold Coasters and finish tape holders for the 2024 marathon, half and 10km events, Aspen Anderson and Sayla Donnelly, will lace up for the 5km for ribbon breaking attempts of their own.
Anderson, an Australian triathlon representative, came 4th in this race last year and looms as a genuine chance this time around while 2019 Junior Dash 4km winner Donnelly is on a similar mission, hoping to improve on her 6th place last year.
Thirty-three-year-old four-time 800m national champion and new mum Brittany Kaan (17:04) and 16-year-old 2000m and 3000m specialist Sienna Bush (17:13) will also be right in the thick of the action.
BULLETIN
Information for runners Information for runners
Start Time Saturday at 10:00am
Recommended Arrival Time 9:00am
Cut Off Time for Runners (gun time) 40 minutes
On Stage Presentation 11:00am
Participant Rewards
Participant Gift, finisher medal & certificate
Race Information
goldcoastmarathon.com.au/races/4km-junior-dash
Start Time Saturday at 9:40am
Recommended Arrival Time 8:40am
Cut Off Time for Runners (gun time) 20 minutes
On Stage Presentation 10:50am
Participant Rewards
Participant gift, finisher medal & certificate
Race Information
goldcoastmarathon.com.au/races/2km-junior-dash
GOLD COAST MARATHON A FAMILY AFFAIR
A Broadbeach Waters family is making the upcoming Gold Coast Marathon running festival an all-in affair, with parents and kids entering a range of events.
Kids Kobie and Zahli will run the 2km Junior Dash while mum, Morgane will run the half marathon and dad Matt will run the full marathon.
Mr Jackson said it was good to see Kobie getting back into movement after an accident.
“He slid across the grass on the oval, and there was a bit of exposed metal, and he sort of like opened his leg up, the scar is massive.
“He severed his tendon in his knee.
“He had a massive infection and a few surgeries to fix it and clean it – redo the construction of his knee,” he said.
Mr Jackson said it was great to be able to register his whole family and Kobie was “super pumped” about being able to run in the festival’s weekend of events.
“He’s back doing bit of running training, he’s getting back to the boy he was before the accident.
“We’re a pretty competitive family but it’s great.
“(Kobie and Zahli) will do that event on the Saturday, and my wife will do a half marathon, and we’ll be able to support and then, hopefully on the Sunday, they’ll be able to get out there and support me,” he said.
The Gold Coast Bulletin 2km Junior Dash will start at 9.40am followed later by the 4km Junior Dash, kicking off at 10am, both on Saturday July 6.
Story: Gold Coast Bulletin
Photo: Gold Coast Bulletin
Partners step up and new partners taking great strides in Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS
The 2024 Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS has attracted more new event partners and supporters than ever, cementing a record-breaking year for the 44th edition of the Gold Coast’s iconic distance running event.
In an exciting move ASICS extended their long-term partnership to become the event’s presenting partner. The sport and apparel wear giant described the Gold Coast Marathon as one of the best events on the race calendar and one which provides an exciting platform for ASICS to showcase the latest innovation across their performance running shoe range.
Local media partner the Gold Coast Bulletin took a healthy step up in their involvement with the event taking on naming rights for the 2km and 4km Junior Dash events. They featured great coverage of the event and a training column dedicated to juniors penned by event ambassador Benita Willis featured great tips to get junior dashers ready for their run.
Nine Queensland has taken on the role of official broadcast partner and will live stream the 42.195km signature race and produce a one-hour highlights program with an exciting promotional ad showcasing the event to a broad audience.
Gold Coast BMW have driven into the role as official vehicle with the luxury car dealership bringing their global brand synonymous with quality and performance to the start line. Keep an eye out for the latest 100% electric BMW i-range which will feature as the official pace car on course.
Elite athletes, event partners and stakeholders will call the official hotel, Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise home for race weekend. Located on the G:link light rail route the hotel is perfectly situated between the ASICS Sport and Leisure Expo and the event precinct at Southport. It’s the only hotel on the Gold Coast with a revolving top-level restaurant with birds-eye views of the marathon course.
Dedicated to improving the well-being of their customers pharmacy retail giant Chemist Warehouse came aboard as the official pharmacy and will provide sunscreen for participants, family and friends over race weekend. You will find them at the Broadwater Parklands event precinct where Australia’s favourite theme park characters Kenny
and Belinda Koala will make appearances throughout the weekend promoting ‘Medal Monday’ and the very special discount offer for locals and visitors to celebrate their medal winning achievements at Dreamworld.
Eyeing up a great partnership we welcomed 2nu as an event partner this year. Showcasing their products during race weekend and at the ASICS Sport & Leisure Expo, 2nu aim to deliver top-notch performance sunglasses without a hefty price tag.
And bringing music to the ears of all who wear them ‘official headphone’ supplier Shokz entered the marathon airwaves this year with their unique products delivering cutting - edge open-ear technology and unparalleled audio experiences to elevate performance and prioritise safety and comfort when running.
Internationally renowned brand Pauls dairy products have jumped on the event partnership wagon recognising an opportunity to showcase their Pauls + protein range to the active and healthy participants in the Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS. They will be providing samples in the main event precinct on race weekend along with FUNDAY natural sweets. New event partner, FUNDAY produce sweets with no added sugar that are 100% tasty, gluten free and boast a five-star health rating.
And offering a one-stop shop for this year’s event, Marathon Tours and Travel have added the Gold Coast Marathon to their calendar of world-wide events, promoting packages to potential participants complete with event entry and a post run celebration.
Finally, when the day is done and your race has run check out new event partner Native State for a unique spa experience and to speed up your recovery and rejuvenate the body and mind ahead of the next challenge.
Remember what they say … your next run is only as good as your last recovery.
Our sincere thanks to all new and existing Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS event partners and supporters.
Gold Coast Marathon LEGEND Ambassadors
Rob de Castella Benita Willis
The legendary Rob De Castella, better known as 'Deek’, is a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist in the marathon and held the world record for three years after winning the Fukuoka Marathon in 1981. 'Deek’ was the Australian Marathon Record holder up until 2022 with a time of 2:07:51 which he set at the Boston Marathon in 1986.
Steve Moneghetti
'Mona’ has a complete set of Commonwealth Games medals in the marathon with a bronze from 1986, silver from 1990 and gold from 1994. The Ballarat running legend has a best marathon time of 2:08:16 set in Berlin in 1990, and four Olympic Games representations. He was also the Australian team Chef de Mission at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Benita is a four time Olympian and former Australian female marathon record holder, with a time of 2:22:36 which she set at the 2006 Chicago Marathon. Her foremost achievement was when Benita was crowned as the World Cross Country champion in 2004. She is one of Australia's most versatile runners, holding the Australian record in the 2,000m, 3,000m, 5,000m and 10,000m .
Pat Carroll
Pat has, what many say, the greatest honour roll of any athlete at the Gold Coast Marathon. He is a four-time Gold Coast Marathon winner plus has wins in the Half Marathon and 10km Run. The Queensland Record holder for the 5,000m, half marathon and marathon, ‘PC’ achieved his marathon personal best of 2:09:39 when he won the 1995 Beppu Marathon.
Gold Coast Marathon Ambassadors
Erchana MurrayBartlett
adventurer. Earlier this year she joined a team to complete the 550km 'speed project’ from LA to Las Vegas nonstop across Death Valley. In 2023 she took marathon running to another level, completing 150 marathons consecutively on her record-breaking run from Cape York to Melbourne in early 2023, all whilst raising $130,000 for endangered Australian wildlife.
Pete has represented the ADF in three Invictus Games winning two gold medals in recumbent cycling and one in wheelchair rugby. Pete has nearly three decades of experience in the Australian army and was deployed to Cambodia, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2010, a Blackhawk helicopter crash in Afghanistan left Pete with skeletal injuries and a traumatic brain injury, he now aids veterans with post –traumatic stress and physical injuries.
Former professional rugby league footballer Keegan Hipgrave will be running his first Gold Coast marathon this year ! The Gold Coast local played 49 first grade games with Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Titans. Keegan admits that running has never come naturally to him, but once he "gets into the flow” he loves it and has completed a 50km ultra marathon. His podcast 'Keegan and Company’ allows him to sit down with high profile athletes to chat about the secrets to their success.
Pete Rudland
Keegan Hipgrave
SPECTATORS & Supporters
The Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS is famous for its atmosphere created by the cheering and buzz of the crowds and entertainment on course. A cheer from the kids, smile from the sideline and supportive signs urging runners to "keep going" push the thousands of participants that little bit further.
If you're not running in this year's Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS join in on the excitement and atmosphere along the course from Paradise Point to Miami. See the GCM App for the best locations to watch the race.
Be in the running to win a pair of Shokz Heaphones. Simply show your support by creating a sign that supports runners or brings a smile to their face. To enter the competition tag @gcmarathon on Instagram with a snap of your supporters sign and use the hashtag #GCM24SUPPORTERS
The winner will be announced on the 11 July 2024, so get cheering and happy supporting!
Download the Gold Coast Marathon app to track your friends and family, stay up to date with the latest info and catch them crossing the finish line on the livestream camera.
Visit the website for more details on live entertainment zones and when runners will be passing through your area: goldcoastmarathon.com.au/community/spectators/
Heather hangs up her hat after a marathon 20 years of volunteering
Eagleby’s Heather Redman says she’ll miss the fuzzy friendships, the pride in a job well done and even the alarm clock going off in the winter predawn darkness.
But she says it’s time to hang up her uniform after two decades as a Gold Coast Marathon volunteer to journey down a completely different path.
“My husband of 46 years Paul has wanted to travel around Australia for ages and after 20 years with the marathon and other major Gold Coast events I’d better not put him off any longer,” Heather laughed.
And it’ll be a trip well-earned by one of the event’s longestserving volunteers and one of the friendliest and most familiar faces on course every year.
“It’s the lifelong friendships I’ve made that have brought me back year after year and I’ll miss everyone and everything about it.
“It’s so exciting to walk into the volunteer room and everyone says hello and you get all fuzzy and you know that you are welcome.
“It’s always great to catch up; when we see our friends we scream at each other and you get so excited being there that it brings a tear to your eye,” she said.
Heather, who also volunteers at the Pan Pacific Masters Games and Gold Coast 600 Supercars and who reported for duty at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup says meeting new people and widening her skills has given her the confidence to do anything.
“The duties are endless from registration and meet and greet to giving out race day information, kit packing, sending off
forms, giving out water along the track or handing out t-shirts at end of races.
“There are seemingly endless jobs that always need to be done,” she said.
And although she’s about to head into the sunset for a while, Heather is not entirely lost to volunteerism.
“When I get back, I’ll still volunteer at November’s Pan Pacific Masters Games, and I only recently began helping the elderly by making scones and popping in on some people who don’t get any visitors.
“It’s about giving back, and I’ll keep doing that,” she said. So, if the shriek of an alarm clock doesn’t rattle Heather, is there anything that does?
“My sense of direction is terrible, and I always get lost getting to where I’m supposed to be,” she said. “But I always get there eventually.
“I also have mixed memories of working in marquees in the race precinct in the early days, being cold and soggy with just as cold and soggy sandwiches and chips.
“But they were fun days that I can laugh about looking back.
“And I’ll always take with me that sense of achievement and feeling of belonging and growth in confidence and deep pride with any volunteering job I have had,” she said.
The Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS has a variety of volunteer opportunities available for more information or to register visit: Volunteering - Individuals & Community GroupsGold Coast Marathon
KIRRA BEACH
ASICS Sport & Leisure Expo
The annual pilgrimage of healthy and active people to the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach is almost underway.
The destination is the ASICS Sport & Leisure Expo, a popular support event on the Gold Coast Marathon weekend program.
Located next to the Check In Centre for Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS, the free ASICS Sport & Leisure Expo is expected to attract more than 28,000 visitors.
There are more than 50 exhibitors including a huge range of ASICS footwear and fashion, the latest in fitness technology with nutrition with Fixx Nutrition, and an opportunity to find out all that last-minute race information.
Opening Hours
Thursday 4 July 3pm – 8pm
Friday 5 July 8am – 8pm
Saturday 6 July 10am – 4pm
Transport & Road Closures
Free Transport
Participants receive free transport to and from the Race Precinct by showing their race number or accreditation on the G:link during the following times:
Saturday 6 July 4am – 2pm
Sunday 7 July 4am – 3pm
For information about the G:link, shuttle bus, car parking and drop off zones visit goldcoastmarathon.com.au/race-weekend/transport
Road Closures
Road closures will be in place from Paradise Point to Southport from 3:30am Saturday 6 July and Runaway Bay to Miami from 3:30am on Sunday 7 July. For information visit goldcoastmarathon.com.au/community/road-closures
Travel Tips
• Add additional time to your journey in anticipation of delays.
• Due to this event, traffic in Southport and surrounding suburbs will be heavily congested.
• Avoid travelling along the Gold Coast Highway between Southport and Mermaid Beach as heavy traffic delays are expected from 7am to 12pm on Sunday 7 July.
• Access across the course will be permitted under the direction of traffic controllers and police when deemed safe.
Transport Services
BUS & TRAM
