OceaniaAustralia

Gold Coast Marathon

One of Australia's fastest, a flat beachside personal-best destination in mild winter air.

1.8/10 Difficulty
93m Elevation Gain
1979 Founded

Course Map

Elevation Profile
km
mi

About this Race

The Gold Coast Marathon is one of Australia's fastest courses, a flat, fast route along the sunny Queensland coastline and its famous beaches on smooth, level roads. The forgiving profile and the mild winter staging make it a premier personal-best destination in the southern hemisphere. Held in July, it offers cool, pleasant conditions ideal for hard racing. The beachfront setting and big crowds define the day. It suits the PB chaser who wants a genuinely fast, scenic coastal race in a reliable cool-weather window.

coastal flat fast pb-friendly beachfront winter destination

Course Insight

Gold Coast is a flat, fast July marathon along the Queensland coast, run in ideal mild winter conditions that have made it a personal-best magnet. The total flatness means your own restraint is the only governor early on. Cool, dry winter air is perfect for racing. The oceanfront setting is scenic. Hold back early and the flat course hands you a quick time.

Pro tip: It's a flat July PB course in ideal winter conditions, so hold back early and the level oceanfront delivers your time.

Difficulty Breakdown

1.8/10

Mostly due to very flat.

Elevation
2.0
Hill Placement
1.0
Weather
1.9
Turns
2.4

How we calculate difficulty →

Course Details

Course type
Out-And-Back
Elevation gain
93m
Elevation loss
66m
Highest point
18m
Lowest point
2m
Net elevation
+27m
Start
Broadwater Parklands, Southport
Cutoff time
6h 40m

Race History

The Gold Coast Marathon was first held in 1979 and is one of Australia's fastest courses, a flat, fast route along the sunny Queensland coastline and its famous beaches. Its forgiving profile and mild winter staging made it a premier southern-hemisphere personal-best destination. From its founding it grew into a major Australian event. Held each July, it draws a large field to the beachfront.

Plan Your Trip

Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.

Nearest airport(s)
Gold Coast (OOL), Brisbane (BNE)
Best area to stay
Surfers Paradise for proximity to the beachfront route and full hotels, Broadbeach for upscale beachside stays, and Main Beach for quieter coastal options.
Getting to the start
The start is at Southport Broadwater Parklands; take the G:link tram to Broadwater Parklands and walk to the start.

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