Gold Coast Airport Marathon fundraiser goes to the dogs ... literally

THEY can’t take part in the Gold Coast’s marathon, but that doesn’t mean these excitable dogs will completely miss the action.

Members of the Wyndham marathon team will be heading running with dogs from the Animal Welfare League of QueenslandÕs Coombabah Rehoming Centre. The Wyndham team is raising funds for the AWLQ, and the marathon team are doing their bit to help. Aiden Ossovani holding Page, with Ashlee Barber, and Jo Simpson . Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

THEY might not be able to take part in the marathon, but that doesn’t mean these excitable dogs will completely miss the action.

The pooches are from the Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ), a charity benefiting from fundraising by 47 Wyndham ­Vacation Resorts runners in this year’s Gold Coast Airport Marathon.

Five of the group members will be running the full 42km, while six will be tackling the half.

MORE GOLD COAST NEWS & GALLERIES

The rest will be challenging themselves to the 5.7km and 10km courses.

Members of the Wyndham marathon team will be heading running with dogs from the Animal Welfare League of QueenslandÕs Coombabah Rehoming Centre. The Wyndham team is raising funds for the AWLQ, and the marathon team are doing their bit to help. Aiden Ossovani holding Page, with Ashlee Barber, and Jo Simpson . Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

First-time marathon runner and Wyndham employee Fabio Dos Reis said he hadn’t run 42km in one stretch, but was confident his passion for animals would drive him towards the finish.

“I've never done a marathon before, but when the AWLQ were announced as the charity, I decided it’d be the best time to put myself through a bit of pain for these four-legged guys.

“I love animals and I used to volunteer with AWLQ until I started full-time work, so this is just another way of helping them out.”

The Southport resident said he managed to run 22km during training last weekend.

“I was pretty sore afterwards and it’s just hard to keep going and keep focused because running can be so boring,” he said.

AWLQ director of fundraising David Hoskot said it was great to see such a big company supporting the organisation.

“The AWL doesn’t receive any government funding, so fundraising like this goes towards costs for vet care, staff caring for animals and outreach efforts to get animals adopted,” he said.

The Gold Coast Marathon will be held on Saturday and Sunday, with the main race starting on Sunday morning.