Gold Coast Marathon run festival close to record-breaking milestone of 30,000 entries.

You can still enter the soldout Gold Coast Marathon, half marathon and 10km races - but organisers urge checking with them first if buying someone else’s spot online. Read why

Gold Coast Marathon demand is so high, registration for run spots are trading like hotcakes online - as organisers near a record 30,000 entries.

The full marathon, half and 10km are sold out with any vacated spots being advertised online snapped up immediately by thousands on waitlists.

Stoked organisers - nearing a festival record of 30,000 entries for all the events - say it’s the “hottest ticket in town” but warn those buying spots to check registration to ensure it’s legit.

Events Management Queensland CEO Ben Mannion warned those snapping up spots in the sold out marathon and half marathon or 10km to check the registration number by going to the Gold Coast Marathon website and contacting the office.

“It’s the hottest ticket in town. We are passed the refund stage but there are opportunities to transfer tickets. Like any selling or transferring of tickets it comes with risk, so we ask if doing that to contact us and make sure your ticket and registration is legit.”

Organisers are also searching for a 30,000th runner - and have a prize pack for the lucky entrant.

Spaces are still available in the 5km, the Gold Coast Bulletin junior dash 2km and 4km events and wheelchair races.

Mr Mannion said the marathon festival was growing exponentially: “This is a record-breaking year for the Gold Coast Marathon with participant numbers in the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon, the half marathon and the Southern Cross University Run 10km run all surpassing entry numbers in the event’s 44 year history.

Events Management Queensland (EMQ) CEO Ben Mannion. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“The entries from outside Southeast Queensland has escalated and international numbers have increased significantly on our 2023 event.”

It its first year in 1979 it only had a field of 124 for the marathon, 144 for the half marathon and 423 in a fun run. Now the marathon sits at 10,000 alone.

Mr Mannion also said they want to put the 30,000th entrant up in lights and celebrate.

“The 30,000th entrant will win a prize package that includes a brand-new pair of ASICS runners,” he said. It will also include passes to Dreamworld and Gold Coast Marathon merchandise.

“We are really keen to get the community behind it and see who we can get to that 30,000 participant, it’s a really great recognition for the work that the team have done. We’re really hopeful over the next seven days we can get to 30,000 and get to find that person, put them up in lights, and and then hopefully we can get a few more closer to the event as well.”

The Gold Coast Marathon startline in 2023 - this coming year’s festival will be even bigger. Picture: John Gass

“We encourage the community to be a part of something special, enter the children in the Gold Coast Bulletin Junior Dash 2km or 4km or make it a family affair and enter the Gold Coast Airport 5km Run or any of our wheelchair events.”