See all the faces from the 2022 Sunshine Coast Marathon and Community Run Festival

Marathon runners enjoy perfect conditions in 2022 Sunshine Coast Run Festival.

Marathon runners survived a crazed woman driving on-course at Cotton Tree on Sunday.

After Brett Robinson sprinted away from Sam McEntee to win the Sunshine Coast men’s half marathon in a time of 1hr 2min 26sec, and Lisa Weightman achieved victory in the women’s race in 1hr 9min 51sec, eventual marathon winner Robert Collins avoided tragedy with about 3km to run.

The woman was stopped by two police on mountain bikes before speeding away in a white Holden Astra onto the marathon course along Cotton Tree Parade.

Dodging runners at an estimated 70km/h, the woman’s rear bumper was dragging on the bitumen after launching over speed humps. Witches hats were scattered across the course as the woman, who is known to police, sped past runners.

The incident was the only blemish in an otherwise perfect day for a record 7500 runners who participated in 42.2km, 21.1km, 10km, 5km and 2km events.

Collins took the lead in the marathon after about 15km and was never headed to win in 2hr 26min 12sec from Drew Williams, who was about 5min behind.

Tamara Carvolth won the women’s marathon with an effort of 2:45:21, two minutes in front of Hannah Oldroyd, while Jane Fardell was third.

Police were following leads on the Astra driver’s whereabouts yesterday and are expected to lay charges.

Billie Elsom before her 2km event at the 2022 Sunshine Coast Marathon. Picture: Eddie Franklin