Gold Coast Marathon prepares to go online as runner Bridget Croucher gears up for virtual race

Nothing could stop Gold Coast Marathon stalwart Bridget Croucher from taking on the 42km slog - but this year it will be a race like no other.

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GOLD Coast Marathon stalwart Bridget Croucher is lining up again to compete, but this weekend will be like no other.

With COVID-19 restrictions forcing the cancellation of the 41st marathon festival, organisers have created virtual events.

Originally from Sydney, Mrs Croucher competed in her first half-marathon on the Gold Coast in 2016. She finished her first marathon a year later.

MEET THE LAST AUSTRALIAN TO WIN THE GOLD COAST MARATHON

Bridget Croucher will be taking part in the Gold Coast Marathon's virtual runs, after the real event was cancelled due to COVID-19. Picture: Jerad Williams

Now the retired nurse lives at Labrador and has completed 13 marathons across Australia.

She will be taking on the virtual 21km and 10km events this weekend.

“I’ll be running with my husband and plan to do it on the original times and dates,” the 59-year-old said.

“I said to him I don’t reckon we’ll be the only ones with the idea. The course could be pretty busy.

Bridget Croucher will be running the 10km and 21km virtual events with her husband. Picture: Jerad Williams

WHAT YOU GET WITH A GOLD COAST BULLETIN SUBSCRIPTION

“When the run is done, I just have to log my results and I can see how I went against people my age, other women and all those sorts of details.”

Events Management Queensland CEO Cameron Hart said the support for the virtual events on offer all of July had been outstanding, with people from across 55 countries signed up.

Participants who register for the virtual marathon events can download a personalised race bib and will receive a result certificate when they log their results.

For more information, visit goldcoastmarathon.com.au

FREE VIRTUAL EVENTS AT THE GOLD COAST MARATHON

• Virtual 2km Junior Dash
• Virtual 4km Junior Dash
• Gold Coast Airport Virtual 5km Fun Run
• Southern Cross University Virtual 10km Run
• ASICS Virtual Half Marathon
• Village Roadshow Theme Parks Gold Coast Virtual Marathon