Gold Coast Marathon: Weather clears for day one of marathon weekend

The weather cleared for runners on day one of the Gold Coast Marathon, leading to lots of smiling faces. SEE OUR GALLERIES FROM ALL FOUR RACES

They're off ... Elite competitors start the Southern Cross University 10km Run. Picture: Tim Marsden.

THOUSANDS braved wet and windy winter weather to take part in races on day one of the Gold Coast Marathon weekend in Southport.

The first day of the major event saw the Southern Cross University 10km Run, the Gold Coast Airport Fun Run, the Garmin 2km Junior Dash and Garmin 4km Junior Dash.

In pictures: Southern Cross University 10km Run

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Though racers taking on the early 10km start ended up drenched, the wet weather cleared up in time for the younger runners to take their spot at the starting line.

Gold Coast Marathon CEO Cam Hart said the first day marked a great start for the event, now in its 41st year.

In pictures: Gold Coast Airport Fun Run

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“It’s been a great day, despite windy weather we’ve had lots of smiling faces out there who turned that around,” he said.

“At the end of the day the runners are trained for what they need to do today and they got there, there’s a lot of happy people finishing their first races.

“The events go on in the rain, that’s part of running distance outdoors, and the runners were keen. The kids have had their big day out, it stopped raining for them so it’s been a really great start to the weekend.”

In pictures: Garmin 2km Junior Dash

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Lachlan Barber from Geelong was the first to cross the finish line of the 10km, nearly slipping over in the wet.

“I’m really happy, it’s my first time racing the 10km,” he said.

“The conditions weren’t ideal at the start line. (My coach) said stay in the pack.

“I wasn’t expecting to be at the front so early.”

In pictures: Garmin 4km Junior Dash

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Day two starts tomorrow morning with the ASICS Half Marathon at 6am.