Gold Coast Marathon 2024: Changes to route for July 6-7 event

The course of this year’s Gold Coast marathon will dramatically change in one of the biggest shake-up in years, as organisers reveal the reason behind it. FULL STORY

The course of this year’s Gold Coast marathon will dramatically change to allow for up to 10,000 runners in one of the biggest shake-up in years.

A surge of interest from runners and a rapid sellout for entries sparked the changes, which will now see the course wind up along The Spit, among a raft of differences.

Events Management Queensland (EMQ) CEO Ben Mannion said the changes would allow for a greater number of participants, with this year’s marathon selling out in 31 days and a further 9000 people on the waiting list for both the half and full marathons.

“We are really excited to open up the course on the Sunday and get another 4000 runners,” he said.

Map of the changes to the Gold Coast Marathon route which will go up The Spit. Picture: Supplied

“This will add immensely to the economic impact on the region and put ourselves in the position of being one of the best marathons in Australia.

“We sold out in 31 days and since the beginning of this year we realised we would need to make some changes to get more people on the course.

“So we worked with the stakeholders to bring the people into the course and we have had some great feedback so far.

“The first and foremost issue we looked at was that we didn’t want to impact on the safety of the athletes while also delivering an exceptional experience.

“We may not be the biggest marathon but we will offer the best experience possible.”

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

Mr Mannion said more than 30,000 people would take part in Marathon activities across the weekend.

The 2023 event injected more than $30m into the economy and Mr Mannion said the expanded course and increased participation would see that figure grow.

“We are expecting a significant increase to the economic impact,” he said.

“The great thing about event is that more than 40 per cent of the people who take part come from out of state, so big numbers of them stay for a week, or even a few days around the marathon and often bring their families too.”

The changes to the course are first since 2019 and will also require new road closures for the July 6-7 event.

The turning point at Miami. Picture: Supplied

Among the charges are:

* A new start line 600m south of the previous location.

* A leg running northbound up the Spit to Sea World before turning and proceeding south along Marine Parade.

* A new section will run past Q1 and across the tram tracks out to the Gold Coast Highway via Clifford Street to “avoid tight sections and ensure runner comfort” before reconnecting to the coastal road at Fern Street, travelling through Broadbeach on Old Burleigh Road.

* The course continues down Alexandra Ave and back onto the Gold Coast Highway.

Runners will go down the coastal strip. Picture: Supplied

Participants then head down to Mermaid Beach coming back east at Seashell Ave and turning onto Albatross Ave before the new southern turn point to head north at Miami to avoid light rail construction along the Gold Coast Highway.

* The return route will travel towards a northern turn point in Runaway Bay and head south for the finish line at the Broadwater Parklands.

Mr Mannion said he expected more slots to open up.

“At this point marathon participants who entered before or close to 17 January will likely gain an entry into the 42.195km race with half marathon participants who entered by 5 February also expected to be advised of an allocation,” he said.