Gold Coast Marathon pace setter Adam Gordon on why the event is ‘bang for your buck’

Gold Coast Marathon pace setter Adam Gordon, behind a popular community running group, has a unique take on the popular event. Here’s what he says.

Gold Coast Marathon pace setter Adam Gordon, behind a popular community running group, has a theory about the event’s “bang for buck”.

The entry fee – from $30 to $200 depending on your distance – isn’t just for the event on the day.

For Mr Gordon, an Asics and Gold Coast Marathon ambassador, you’re getting so much “bang for your buck”.

“When you push enter on an event, you get a total number you pay, (say) $100, but I look at it like it’s 16 weeks of motivation, you get a t-shirt, a towel, someone hands you water, you make new friends, you’re uplifted, and excited for 16 weeks.

“So when you break all that down, it’s a pretty good deal.”

Marathon runner and coach Adam Gordon at the Seaway. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Mr Gordon, who will pace out the 42km marathon on the Sunday at a time of three hours 10 minutes, said running builds a sense of community.

“I think it’s the only sport where you can be anywhere in the world, go jogging, and someone will say good morning. It’s really hard to find that (sense of) community without needing to be part of a community.

“You genuinely can feel other people in the same space as you when you don’t even know them. Running is just a really great place to be from a health aspect because it doesn’t have a speed - it just has a ‘you’re out there doing it’ so therefore let’s celebrate that person and say good morning, as opposed to needing to run a certain speed. I think it’s a great leveller.”

The health fitness coach of 20 years and retired professional triathlete has his own running group Adsy’s Athlete’s including a “credit run” called ‘Social Saturday’ which is all about community.

“We all come together, have some gentle exercise, have a coffee, and just get people out and around chatting to others. I fear people have lost the art of talking. So I like to create a space where they can come along, have a jog, or have a walk without the intensity and get together. And then they can go and carry on the day.”