Olympic hopefuls take to Gold Coast Marathon as last chance to qualify for Rio

THE Gold Coast Marathon looms as the last chance for some elite international runners to qualify for the Rio Olympics.

Martin Dent wins the 10km event at the 2015 Gold Coast Marathon. Picture: Jerad Williams.

THE Gold Coast Marathon looms as the last chance for some elite international runners to qualify for the Rio Olympics.

Marathon organisers have enlisted former Australian elites Martin Dent and Alastair Stevenson to act as pacesetters for next month’s event due to the large contingent of quality competitors looking to push their Games case.

To qualify, the runners will be looking for IAAF entry standard times of 2h:19m for men and 2:45 for women.

Canberra’s Dent said the Gold Coast Marathon was a notoriously flat course and perfect for Olympic hopefuls pushing for a personal best.

“I know the northern part of the course pretty well. I’m not too familiar with the southern parts but … I’ll probably head for a few easy runs around there to check it out,” he said.

“It’s pretty flat and fast, as seen by some of the fast times in recent years by the top African boys.

“Two (hours) 19 (minutes), if you’re in shape, there shouldn’t be too many excuses with the course.”

At least 15 competitors – 11 men and four women – are understood to have made their Olympic intentions known to officials ahead of the July 2-3 weekend.

Dent, who won the 10km race on the 2015 Gold Coast Marathon weekend, said he wasn’t surprised so many runners were using the event as a potential springboard to an Olympic appearance.

“I don’t plan on finishing the race – hopefully I’ll be able to get them back to the start/finish area at about 30km in,” he said.

“I’m sure they’ve had a few cracks over the qualifying period. They’ve had a while but I suppose it’s the Olympics – why not have one last go at trying to make it.

“You might regret it if you don’t try.

“I can understand them doing everything they can to get on that start line.

“Just getting there is a big achievement for a lot of ­athletes.”

Dent, 37, is expected to arrive on the Coast on Monday – providing a welcome change from the harsh cold of Canberra, where he has been training in snowy conditions.