After a two year absence, Paralympian Bill Chaffey has returned to the Gold Coast marathon in style

Gold Coast Golden boy and Australian Paralympian Bill Chaffey has returned to the Gold Coast marathon in style, taking out the race ahead of Richard Colman and Matthew Brumby while golden girl Madison de Rozario continued her love affair with the Gold Coast at the marathon on Sunday.

Gold Coast Golden boy and Australian Paralympian Bill Chaffey has returned to the Gold Coast marathon in style, taking out the race ahead of Richard Colman and Matthew Brumby while golden girl Madison de Rozario continued her love affair with the Gold Coast at the marathon on Sunday.

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Chaffey, based just over the border in Tweed, had been an annual participant in the Gold Coast Marathon, winning the wheelchair event in 2015 and placing second in 2016.

The five-time world para-triathlon champion decided to take a two-year sabbatical from the race to concentrate on the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, before making a triumphant return in 2019, winning in 1:46:12.

Bill Chaffey crosses the line in the Wheelchair Marathon. Picture: Gold Coast Marathon

“It’s good to be back,” the 43-year-old said.

“I was a bit concerned about Richard (Colman) and how close he would be, but I managed to break him at about 15km and hold on.”

De Rozario was second overall and took the women’s crown for the second year in a row in 1:49:35.

The Gold Coast remains a happy hunting ground for the 25-year-old, who not only won the same event last year, but also took out two Commonwealth Games gold medals on the Glitter strip in 2018.

Madison de Rozario crosses the line in the Wheelchair Marathon. Picture: Gold Coast Marathon

“Yeah I’ll be back, for sure,” she said.

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Cory Crombie was first across the line in the Wheelchair 15km followed by Jono Tang in second and third was Jason McGregor.

Emily Preketes took out the female 15km race.