From failing lungs to finish lines. How this Cystic Fibrosis sufferer is taking on the Gold Coast Marathon

SEVEN years ago this cystic fibrosis sufferer was on oxygen 24/7. Now, she will run the gruelling 42km Gold Coast Marathon. PLUS ALL THE MARATHON DETAILS YOU NEED TO KNOW.

BEFORE her lifesaving double lung transplant at 33-years-old, Kristen Willoughby was on oxygen 24-7 and could barely walk a few metres without utter exhaustion.

The now 40 year old, who was born with Cystic Fibrosis, is defying expectations by running the Gold Coast full marathon — something she never dreamt would be possible while laying in a hospital bed with failing lungs.

Kristen Willoughby will be running in the Marathon for Cistic Fibrosis. Photo Richard Gosling

“My husband had to leave work to become my carer, as I couldn’t even do simple tasks like showering myself,” said the Thorton native from New South Wales.

“So to be able to do a marathon is something I never would have thought possible.

“Turning 40 was a huge milestone for me so doing my first marathon at the 40th anniversary of this event is icing on the cake.

GOLD COAST MARATHON RESULTS

“Before my transplant, I used to say simple things like having a shower felt like a marathon, so for me to be able to run an actual marathon is something I never would have imagined in my wildest dreams.”

Kristen Willoughby. Photo Richard Gosling

The mum of one will be on anti-rejection medication for life and her disease still affects other organs such as her liver, pancreas, sinuses.

“I also have diabetes so I’m on insulin as well. It’s common for people with CF to have arthritis and osteoporosis so I find my joints are more of an issue,” she said.

“I lose a lot more salt so it’s important for me to take salt tablets, keep up my electrolytes and hydrate a lot more.

ORGANISERS EXAMINE COURSE CHANGE DUE TO POPULARITY

“Having diabetes, I need to also take my blood glucose level testing kit and glucose tablets.”

After losing many friends to this “terrible disease”, Ms Willoughby is raising money for Cystic Fibrosis Australia.

Last year’s Gold Coast Marathon. At the starting line of full Marathon. Picture Mike Batterham

The 40th anniversary Marathon event has sold out with 27,000 participants entering this year.

With only 691 participants taking part in the inaugural race in 1979, the popularity of the event continues to amplify and is expected to inject a massive $25 million into the local economy.

Almost half a million runners and walkers have been involved in the events over the last 40 years — 459,083 to be exact — with 51 per cent of runners this year being female.

Last year’s Gold Coast Marathon. At the starting line of full Marathon. Photo by Richard Gosling

MARATHON WHAT’S ON GUIDE

Saturday June 30:

6:30am: Southern Cross University 10km Run

8am: Gold Coast Airport Fun Run

9:25am: Garmin 2km Junior Dash
9:40am: Garmin 4km Junior Dash

Sunday July 1:

6am: Asics Half Marathon
7:15am: Wheelchair 15km

7:15am: Wheelchair Marathon
7:20am: Gold Coast Marathon

MARATHON FUN FACTS

— Japan has had the most non-Australian winners in the race with 21, ahead of Kenya with 9.

— The most wins of the marathon by a woman is held by Benowa mum Margaret Reddan who collected her fourth Gold Coast Marathon title in a time of two hours and 47 minutes.

— Margaret Reddan also hold the title for most consecutive wins (3) from 1984-1986.

— In 1992, The marathon attracted more international visitors than the Indy, now known as the GC600.

— Four time race winner Pat Carroll holds the title for most wins by a male. He also tied a balloon to his waist in 2002 so he could be identified.

— 2008 was the first year the participant numbers jumped above 20,000 with 21,012 runners.

— For 17 years, the Fun Run race was a “walk-only” event from 1992 to 2008.

— This years even has attracted 370 teams who will be up for the best team spirit award.

Last year’s Gold Coast Marathon. Photo by Richard Gosling

ROAD CLOSURES
ROADS across the Gold Coast will be closed this weekend for the two day event which starts and finishes at Southport Broadwater Parklands, extending down to The Esplanade at Burleigh Heads.

SATURDAY JUNE 30, 2018:

LABRADOR (roads closed from 3.30am to 11am)

— Marine Parade from Burrows Street to Brisbane Road

— Brisbane Road to Marine Parade (Eastbound lanes)

— Marine Parade from Brisbane Road to Broad Street

— Frank Street

— Marine Parade from Broad Street to Frank Street

SOUTHPORT (roads closed from 3.30am to 11am)

— Marine Parade from Frank Street to North Street

— North Street from High Street to Gold Coast Highway (Eastbound lanes)

— Marine Parade from North Street to Ada Bell Way

— Queen Street from Scarborough Street to Gold Coast Highway (Eastbound lanes) 6am-7.30am

SUNDALE BRIDGE (roads closed from 6am to 7.30am)

— Gold Coast Highway from Ada Bell Way to Tedder Ave

SUNDAY JULY 1, 2018

HOLLYWELL (roads closed from 3.30am to 9am)

— Bayview Street from Matthew Flinders Drive to Holly Ave

RUNAWAY BAY (roads closed from 3.30am to 2.30pm)

— Bayview Street from Holly Ave to Lae Drive: 3.30am-9am

— Lae Drive from Bayview St to Jennifer Ave: 3.30am-9am

— Bayview Street from Lae Drive to Jennifer Ave: 3.30am-9am

— Bayview Street from Jennifer Ave to Ocean Street: 3.30am-2.30pm

BIGGERA WATERS (roads closed from 3.30am to 2.30pm)

— Marine Parade from Ocean Street to Brisbane Road

LABRADOR (roads closed from 3.30am to 2.30pm)

— Brisbane Road from Turpin Road to Marine Parade (Eastbound lanes)

— Marine Parade from Brisbane Road to Broad Street

— Frank Street

— Marine Parade from Broad Street to Frank Street

SOUTHPORT (roads closed from 3.30am to 2.30pm)

— Marine Parade from Frank Street to North Street

— North Street from High Street to Coast Coast Highway (Eastbound lanes)

— Marine Parade from North Street to Ada Bell Way

— Gold Coast Highway from Ada Bell Way to Waterways Drive (Southbound lanes)

SUNDALE BRIDGE (roads closed from 7.15am to 7.50am)

— Gold Coast Highway from Ada Bell Way to Tedder Ave

MAIN BEACH (roads closed from 3.30am to 1pm)

— Waterways Drive from Gold Coast Highway to MacArthur Parade

— Main Beach Parade from Waterways Drive to MacArthur Parade

— Main Beach Parade from MacArthur Parade to Ferny Ave

Thousands will take part in all the events at the full marathon. Picture Mike Batterham

SURFERS PARADISE (roads closed from 3.30am to 12pm)

— Esplanade from Ferny Ave to Clifford Street

— Northcliffe Terrace from Clifford Street to Fern Street

— Old Burleigh Road from Fern Street to First Ave

BROADBEACH (roads closed from 3.30am to 12pm)

— Broadbeach Boulevard from First Ave to Queensland Ave

— Old Burleigh Road from Queensland Ave to Alexandra Ave

MERMAID BEACH (roads closed from 3.30am to 12pm)

— Hedges Ave from Alexandra Ave to Seashell Ave

MIAMI (roads closed from 3.30am to 12pm)

— Albatross Ave from Seashell Ave to Chairlift Ave

— Marine Parade from Chairlift Ave to Hythe Street

— Hythe Street from Marine Parade to Gold Coast Highway

— Gold Coast Highway from Hythe Street to Kelly Ave: 3.30am to 11am

BURLEIGH HEADS (roads closed from 3.30am to 11am)

— Kelly Ave from Gold Coast Highway to The Esplanade

— Kratzmann Ave from The Esplanade to Gold Coast Highway

— The Esplanade from Kelly Ave to Gold Coast Highway