Gold Coast Marathon: why they run — 3 competitors tell their stories

THE thought of running a marathon is enough to turn most people’s legs to jelly — here’s why three Gold Coasters have signed up for the challenge.

Baby steps

PORTIA Large is still finding her feet in the world of marathons.

For someone who grew up spending weekends barefoot on a boat, her tousled blonde hair shining under the Whitsundays sun, slipping on a pair of runners is miles away from what she’s used to.

Yet this yoga enthusiast and surfer isn’t doing things by halves, well, not unless you count the fact she’s making her debut into the world of running races with the Gold Coast Airport Half Marathon.

Portia Large at Kurrawa. Photo: Kit Wise

“I’m a complete rookie just having a go,” says Portia, pictured right.

“In life we face lots of different marathons and that’s the reason why I wanted to do this.

“I have made the 21km in training with the reddest cheeks you’ve ever seen but the biggest smile.”

Portia, 21, moved to the Gold Coast six years ago with her family so she could attend Trinity Lutheran College.

Since then she’s been everything from a Miss Universe contestant to Deputy Junior Mayor of the Gold Coast Junior City Council.

Portia’s bubbly personality has also lead to work in radio for Southern Cross Austereo, first as a producer on Gold FM’s Rush Hour and more recently doing marketing and promotions with Sea FM.

Portia Large is a producer at Sea FM radio station. She's debuting in the GC half marathon, pictured training at Kurrawa on the beach. Photo: Kit Wise

The blogger, whose work can be seen at her self-titled website, is also a regular presenter of Gold Coast Community TV on social media.

Perhaps sensing she’s the kind of girl not afraid to chase a new goal, marathon organisers have signed her up as an ambassador, which she is combining with fundraising for charity Give Me 5 For Kids.

“The only race I’ve ever really gone in is the 5km cross country for school,” Portia says.

“I never trained for it but I came first.

“I think I might be overwhelmed but I like to set myself a challenge.

“I’m just trying to build up the distance — I’m definitely not a runner. So when I was approached to be an Airport Marathon ambassador I thought, ‘why not?’ because I always try to develop myself in different parts of my life. I pursue academic work and spiritual goals so why not this?”

Portia Large. Photo: Kit Wise

But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for this former water baby.

As part of her four-day-a-week training schedule, Portia has also taken up cycling on some brand new wheels from Mikes Bikes Miami.

“The bike was brand new and I was riding it back and I was like, ‘oh yeah look at me riding on the road’,” Portia says.

“I was stoked. I was getting confident, the cars weren’t scaring me anymore and then I tried to get off the road and I fell off but that’s the only stack so far.

“Whenever I run and make the effort to wake up, which is getting harder as it gets cooler, there’s so many people out and about exercising.

“It makes me feel like I’m missing out if I don’t go now.

“Yes there’s some pain involved but life is too short to not do things like this.”

Donate to Portia’s cause at

gcam2015.everydayhero.com/au/GiveMe5ForKids

All or nothing

PUTTING one foot in front of the other can be difficult when you have crippling anxiety and depression like disability pensioner Ian Harvey.

Yet this part-time labourer, who has never run a marathon in his life, plans to run one every day for a week, each in a different state, to raise money for children’s charity Bravehearts.

Ian Harvey with ironman Guy Andrews.

But when you’re following the footsteps of someone like Claude, Ian’s dad who has raised almost a million dollars for the same cause by pushing his lawnmower around the country, it’s an incentive to go the distance.

“I always remember an interview with Peter Brock I saw on telly and he said his motto in life was to bite off more than you can chew and then chew like crazy,” Ian says.

“I’m working as a labourer to supplement my pension so I reckon it will be a bit like a hard day’s labouring. It’s going to be hard but I think that’s what we were put on this earth for — to be of service to others.”

A protein shake swilling, seasoned athlete Ian is not.

The 41-year-old is newly off the cigarettes, instead sucking down gulps of fresh air as he puffs his way up and down the Coast.

But there’s something more potent than experience fuelling this 300km journey.

It’s the desire for this dad to Clara, 15, and Casey, 7, to help create a world where no child is afraid of being abused.

Ian Harvey and ironman Guy Andrews.

“If can prevent even one child from being sexually abused, and then there’s the domestic violence and other kinds of abuse they see too, then I’ll be happy.

“Work has been a bit slow so there’s a bit of stress with bills and stuff. But I’ve committed to it and what I want to show my kids is when you commit to something you do it.”

Despite money being a bit tight, Ian has a wealth of support behind him. His wife, Dzenita, is his unofficial manager, cheer squad and support crew and she and the children will be joining him for the last two marathons in Kingscliff and the Gold Coast next month.

“She’s so supportive,” Ian says. “She packs me food to go running with and she’s been on the internet looking up how much fluids I should be taking in.

“When I make it across the finish line of the Gold Coast Marathon I’ll be in a very small group of people who can say they’ve run seven marathons in seven states in seven days.

“The work I’ve seen Bravehearts do — that’s what keeps me going when I’m struggling with training.”

Donate at braveheartsadventures.org.au

Taking it in her stride

WE’RE all guilty of a sneaky workout selfie but Sophie Curnow will be stepping it up a notch when she takes a video camera along for the ride, filming herself at increasingly red-faced intervals mid-marathon.

The 26-year-old nursing student is being sponsored by Asics and as part of the deal the Instagram enthusiast has been documenting her progress, which will culminate with taping herself along the way on the big day.

Sophie Curnow training at the Palm Beach Parklands. Photo: Richard Gosling

Like many people who have made their home in our city of surf and sunshine, Sophie first started running seriously when she moved to the Gold Coast from Ballarat five years ago.

This will be her third Gold Coast marathon with the now enthusiastic runner also competing in the New York marathon last year.

“Everyone is so fit and healthy here that it makes you want to get up early,” Sophie says.

“I took the GoPro along in New York so I’ve had a bit of practice talking into a camera while I’m running along.

“It was one of the best days of my life. It was freezing cold, horrible running conditions, but the atmosphere there was pretty much 42km of people cheering for you. In every marathon the last 10km is the hardest bit so at the Gold Coast I’d love to have more people crowd up in that spot.”

As well as studying at Southern Cross University, Burleigh-based Sophie and her partner Blake Morrison are also qualified personal trainers.

While she loves motivating her clients to enter events, some of them like to give her a run for her money in the stubbornness stakes.

Most notably, this includes her loving parents Wilma and Gary, who will not only be there to cheer on their girl but also compete in the 10km run.

Sophie Curnow.

“I tried to train them but they do what they want,” Sophie laughs. “To see them do something like that together was so exciting. It was awesome watching them accomplish it.

Sophie Curnow will be competing in her 3rd Gold Coast Marathon.

“Older people are often great runners. I’ve been doing the (Sports Super Centre) Series in Runaway Bay and there are always these 60 and 70-year-olds who beat me every time. It’s incredible to watch them — they just fly.”

In the lead up to the big event Sophie’s Instagram page, @sophcurnow, will be littered with miles of motivational moments.

A sunrise training session here, a post-run swim over there all shining with the glow of health and happiness that not even the best-placed filter can fake.

While jogging between Burleigh and Coolangatta ‒ Sophie is saving the northern Gold Coast stretch for marathon day ‒ is good for the body and soul she says nothing can really compare you for the event.

“Mentally, I know I can run 42km,” Sophie says.

“My advice is always start off slower than you think you should. Too many people go with the crowd and then lose it by the end.

“My favourite part is the finish line. Not because it’s over but because it’s just so exciting.

“It’s like, I don’t even know how to explain it.

“They say you run the first half of a marathon with your legs and the last half with your heart.”

ABOUT THE GOLD COAST AIRPORT MARATHON

Events include a 2km and 4km junior dash, 5.7km challenge, 10km run, wheelchair 15km, half marathon and wheelchair and able-bodied marathons.

Post your photos from training or of the big weekend on social media using the hashtag #GCAM15

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon will take place on July 4 and 5. More at goldcoastmarathon.com.au