Laura Willingham honours mate with 10km challenge at Gold Coast marathon

After losing a friend before he had the chance to come to Australia, a UK expat raced in the Gold Coast Marathon 10km to raise money for charity in his memory.

Laura Willingham and Maria Ronneberg at finish of the Half Marathon Gold Coast . Pic Annette Dew

A Gold Coast newcomer is running her first Gold Coast Marathon 10km in memory of a friend who died from a blood clot earlier this year.

Laura Willingham, originally from England but now living at Mermaid Waters, has already raised $2,800 for blood clot charity Thrombosis UK - with her late friend’s father pledging to match whatever she raises by race end.

“I’m doing it for a friend who passed away - Jack,” Willingham said. “He was supposed to come to Australia and unfortunately never did.

“It’s nice to tie it in with this occasion,” she said.

Willingham said she is targeting a sub-hour finish for the 10km.

Laura Willingham and Maria Ronneberg at finish of the Half Marathon Gold Coast . Pic Annette Dew

“So hopefully that will get me a PB today,” she said.

Norwegian friend Maria Ronneber, who met Ms Willingham after moving to the Gold Coast, came to support with a sign that read: “Run Laura - your cookies are burning in the oven” - a reference to her friend’s love of baking.

Willingham was full of praise for the Gold Coast event.

“Compared to the UK events this is amazing.

“Even just the organisation and how many stalls there are ... and just really making it an occasion.”

Ms Willingham is just one of many runners doing it for charity at the 2025 Gold Coast Marathon.

Originally published as Laura Willingham honours mate with 10km challenge at Gold Coast marathon