Gold Coast Airport Marathon: Everything you need to know

IT’S finally here! Everything you need to know about the Gold Coast Marathon that draws runners from across the globe.

Winner of the Half Marathon, Martin Dent, at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon, Southport, on Sunday.

IT’S finally here! The 36th annual Gold Coast Marathon and here is everything you need to know about the event that draws runners from far and near.

The marathon has grown into the city’s largest event and thousands of international runners will join athletes from across the country in fun runs, a 21km half marathon and a 42km full marathon.

The event kicks off bright and early tomorrow, but runners can still register up until 8pm this evening, so get cracking.

WEATHER WARMS IN TIME FOR MARATHON

GODFATHER OF RUNNING INSPIRES INDIGENOUS YOUTH

GOLD COAST AIRPORT MARATHON ONE-STOP SHOP

Peter Buttrum, is helped to the finish line in the Full Marathon at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon, in 2013.

LOCATION OF RACE PRECINCT:

The Race Precinct is located at the Broadwater Parklands in Southport. It is where the start and finish lines are located and is the centre of all the action and atmosphere on race weekend. With huge numbers of people converging on the Race Precinct on race weekend, it is important for you to plan in advance how you will get to and from the Race Precinct. Whether you drive and park, catch a bus, get dropped off or walk if you are staying nearby, give yourself plenty of time to get to the start line to do your warm up.

Start of the Half Marathon at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon last year.

ENTRY CLOSURE:

WHEN: Friday, July 4, 8pm

WHERE: Enter online HERE or at the Gold Coast Check-in Centre (Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach)

EVENTS & COSTS:

Gold Coast Airport Marathon, 42km ($125)

Wheelchair Marathon ($125)

ASICS Half Marathon, 21km ($90)

Wheelchair 15km ($55)

Southern Cross University 10km Run ($55)

Suncorp Bank 5.7km Challenge ($45)

4km Junior Dash — all participants ($25)

2km Junior Dash — all participants ($25)

Marathon man, Trent Morrow, in the Full Marathon at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon.

CAN YOU ENTER MORE THAN ONE?

Yes. However the system doesn’t allow two registrations with the same first name, last name and date of birth. Therefore, for your second registration, add your middle initial i.e. John Smith for first entry, John F Smith for the second.

IMPORTANT INFO FOR RACE ENTRANTS:

RACE NUMBER COLLECTION:

(Uncollected race numbers elected to be picked up at Brisbane Check-In Centre will also be available)

WHERE: Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre (Cnr Gold Coast Highway & TE Peters Drive, Broadbeach)

WHEN: Today, July 3, 4pm — 8pm

Tomorrow, July 4, 10am — 8pm (this is final collection for Saturday races, all entries close and final day for race changes and transfers)

Saturday 5 July, 9am — 5pm (no entries or changes accepted)

WHAT’S NEEDED: Bring confirmation email which has your Entry Confirmation Certificate confirming your entry. Print this out and bring it with you to collect your race number at the Check-In Centre. If you don’t receive a confirmation email (e.g. if you do not provide a valid email address), please bring photo ID (such as a driver’s licence) to collect your race number.

Older competitor at 75, Tony Kean, ran in the Full Marathon at the Gold Coast Marathon last year.

GETTING THERE

WHAT: Race precinct — where both the start and finish lines are

WHERE: Broadwater Parklands, Southport

ADVICE: It’ll be busy so give yourself plenty of time to get there in advance

BY CAR:

BEST DROP-OFF: Scarborough Street, north or south of the Southport Mall (Nerang Street).

PARKING: People with disability parking permits may use the VIP car park at Carey Park (in front of Australia Fair Shopping Centre).

CAR PARKS

— Australia Fair Shopping Centre (east side): SAT: 0-3 hours is free (spend $25 shopping for five hours free), SUN: Free

— Mal Burke Car Park, Hicks Street: SAT: Free until 9am then $1.40 per hour, SUN: Free

— Athol Patterson, Suter Street: SAT: Free until 9am then $1.20 per hour, SUN: Free

— Carey Park, Marine Parade: SAT: Free until 9am then $1.20 per hour, SUN: Free

Sam Kidd in the Half Marathon at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon 2013.

BY CHARTER COACH

DROP-OFF ZONE: Scarborough Street, north of intersection with the Nerang Street Mall (out the front of Gold Coast TAFE).

It is then a short 5-minute walk to the Race Precinct down the Mall. An alternate zone is east of Australia Fair Shopping Centre on Marine Parade. It can be accessed from Scarborough Street, then onto Short Street, then a left onto Marine Parade.

BY SHUTTLE BUSES:

WHEN: Saturday, July 5

Normal Gold Coast bus services on Surfside Buslines in operation with standard fares. SEE WWW.TRANSLINK.COM.AU

Hiwot Tan being helped at the finish line of the Half Marathon at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon.

SUNDAY 6 JULY

There will be a free shuttle bus service for participants to and from the Race Precinct on Sunday 6 July on Surfside Buslines. A northern Gold Coast service will start from the Runaway Bay Sport & Leisure Excellence Centre and a southern Gold Coast service will start from the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach. All inbound routes will terminate at the Southport Mall, a brief stroll to the Race Precinct. During peak operating times, this service will be exclusive to participants. In order to ensure all participants arrive with adequate race preparation time, the following will apply:

Participants will have priority over spectators. Spectators are to make alternative travel arrangements during peak times.

If demand warrants, priority will be allocated according to race start times.

Entrants are required to present their race number when boarding the bus.

Participants are encouraged to allow adequate time for travel and are advised that during peak times the shuttle bus service will be near capacity.

Winner of the Half Marathon, Martin Dent.

START TIMES:

SATURDAY 5 JULY:

Southern Cross University 10km Run

6:30am

Suncorp Bank 5.7km Challenge

8:00am

2km Junior Dash

9:25am

4km Junior Dash

9:40am

SUNDAY 6 JULY:

ASICS Half Marathon

6:00am

Wheelchair 15km

7:15am

Wheelchair Marathon

7:15am

Gold Coast Airport Marathon

7:20am

Andy Schmidt with his son Oliver, 3, in the Full Marathon at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon.

GETTING TO START LINE:

All events start from the Gold Coast Hway, but individual start spots will be staggered.

In order to ensure a smooth start for all participants, start zones will be in place at the start line of each event. Entrants are asked to assemble in the appropriate zone as indicated by the letter printed on their race number (see picture).

If you wish to run with friends or family who are starting in a different start zone, you may start in a slower zone than that printed on your race number (e.g. someone with a B Zone label may start in B, C, or D) but not in a faster one (e.g. A).

FOOD & BEVERAGES:

A wide variety of food and drinks will be available from 5am on both Saturday and Sunday at the Race Precinct event lawn.

Darkness for the start of the Half Marathon at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon in 2013.

TOILETS:

Toilets hubs can be found throughout the Race Precinct. Please refer to the Race Precinct map for toilet hub locations, such as; behind the Suncorp Bank Baggage Drop, team zone area, start line north and south and space only.

PHOTOS:

The official event photographer Marathon-Photos aims to photograph and video every participant along the course and at the finish line. Runners must wear their race number on the front of their shirt for identification. Photos and videos can be viewed and ordered shortly after the event from goldcoastmarathon.com.

SOUVENIR RESULTS LIFT-OUT:

The Gold Coast Bulletin will publish a special results lift-out with full results, stories and photos on Monday 7 July. Cover price is $1.20.