My experience running the Gold Coast half marathon 2025
A stomach full of carbs, a flat course and an electric crowd made the perfect combination for Saturday’s Gold Coast half marathon. Here’s what happened when I ran the event. WATCH THE VIDEO
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I was one of thousands of runners who pounded the pavement for 21.1km on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
The alarm sounded a bit before 4am, then I was out of bed and fuelling up with two crumpets with banana and honey.
The short tram ride down to Broadwater Parklands was packed with runners and spectators, squished into the carriage like sardines.
Before I knew it, I was at the start line, my stomach full of butterflies and quick-releasing carbohydrates.
The weather was perfect – a crisp 12C, little wind and a gorgeous orange sunrise as we ran up to Paradise Point.
Seeing so many people gathered in one place all with the same goal of crossing that finish line was electric.
Whether they were aiming for a personal best, like myself, or simply wanted to finish the distance, you could feel the buzz in the air.
The crowd helped to lift the spirits of many runners, especially when you’re feeling depleted at the 17km mark.
You’re so close to the finish line but the tank is almost empty and the negative thoughts like “can I actually do this” are not so easy to switch off.
That is when the cheers, claps and poster boards with words of encouragement, and a few cheeky innuendos, really matter.
They helped give me an extra boost when I really needed it.
This race was my second time running a half-marathon.
I ran my first one through St Kilda in Melbourne back in December last year.
About 24 hours later, registrations opened for the Gold Coast half marathon and you better believe I had my alarm set for 10am that day to secure my spot.
You could say my first experience did not deter me from wanting to run this distance again, it only made me want to be faster and be quicker.
And it did.
I ran a sub-two hour half-marathon, a personal best.
I ended the day the only acceptable way – by eating my body weight in pizza and pasta.
Chef’s kiss.
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Originally published as My experience running the Gold Coast half marathon 2025
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