Here’s everything you need to know about the Gold Coast Marathon 2024

Parking, road closures, start times and more - whether you’re racing or spectating, here is everything you need to know about the 2024 Gold Coast Marathon.

The Gold Coast Marathon buzz has been building like a rock concert - or tickets for Wimbledon.

It all started well before the race guns were fired.

Runners queued at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre for over an hour on Thursday to be the first to enter the Sport and Leisure Expo and pick up their racing bib numbers.

Among those collecting their race information was Cherry Lau and Wing Ho who travelled from Hong Kong to compete in the marathon.

Mr Ho said him and his partner Cherry enjoy marathons and have competed in the Tokoyo Marathon many times.

“We have done six full marathons, this is the seventh time. We have run in Japan and Russia.

“The Gold Coast one is good because it’s so flat, isn’t as easy when there’s lots of hills, so hoping for a personal best,” he said.

Returning for the second year was winner of her age group in the half and full marathon in 2023, Jenny Kellet.

“I did the half and the full for the first time last year, won both in my age group... I’m not expecting to do that this year.

“It’s just great atmosphere, that’s always good, I’m just doing it more just for enjoyment or for the atmosphere,” she said.

Ms Kellet set a course record for her age group 65-69 in the half marathon last year, running a time of 1.37.31.

Also coming back to running after 10 years, competing in the half marathon, is Alex Gunn.

“Ten years ago I did the full marathon. I’m with a running club in Tallebudgera so just training three or four times a week,” he said.

Mr Gunn is hoping to run a personal best but says there are many factors that could affect the race.

“[Running a PB] would be great, depending on the weather, so that’s going to be the interesting bit.

“You don’t want to be pushing back into [the wind], it’s pretty important,” he said.

The annual Sport & Leisure Expo is Australia’s largest running expo and is expected to attract more than 26,000 visitors with free admission for the general public.

There are more than 50 exhibitors, including a huge display of ASICS footwear and fashion, the latest in fitness technology, nutrition and events, and race information for the Gold Coast Marathon.

Events Management Queensland CEO Ben Mannion celebrates 30 000 competitors at this years Gold Coast Marathon. Picture Glenn Hampson

The Gold Coast Marathon for Saturday and Sunday, July 6-7, here’s everything you need to know:

START TIMES

SATURDAY

Half marathon: 6.15am

2km Junior Dash: 9.40am

Wheelchair 4km: 9.50am

4km Junior Dash: 10am

5km run: 10.30am

SUNDAY

CPL Wheelchair marathon: 6.10am

Full marathon: 6.15am

CPL Wheelchair 10km: 6.40am

10km run: 6.45am

CUT OFF TIMES

Marathon runners: Six hours, 40 minutes

On-stage presentation: 9.40am

Where: The start and finish lines for all events are at the Race Precinct, Broadwater Parklands, Southport

WATCH IT LIVE

Livestream at

- Gold Coast Marathon App

- Facebook

- YouTube

ROAD CLOSURES

Saturday 6 July: Roads closed from 3:30am and progressively reopening as events are completed. All roads scheduled to reopenby 12:30pm.

Sunday 7 July: Roads closed from 3:30am and progressively reopening as events are completed. All roads scheduled to reopenby 2pm.

POLICE

100 officers for the two-day event accompanied by 200 marshals

PARKING

Parking during marathon weekend will be available at Australia Fair Shopping Centre (zero to three hours free), Carey ParkMarine Parade, Mal Burke Car Park Hicks Street, Athol Patterson Suter Street.

POLICE ON ROAD CLOSURES, TRAFFIC

SATURDAY

Expect delays, traffic congestion at the following road closures, from 3.30am to 11am.

Full road closures:

• The Esplanade, Paradise Point from Eider Ave to Falkinder Ave

• Bayview St from Falkinder Ave Paradise Point to Lands End Bridge, Anglers Paradise

• Lae Dr from Bayview St to Morala Ave, Runaway Bay

• Marine Parade from Lands End Bridge Biggera Waters to Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters

• Gold Coast Hwy from Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters to Broad St, Labrador

• Marine Pde from Broad St, Labrador to Loders Creek Bridge, Labrador

• Gold Coast Highway from Loders Creek Bridge, Labrador to Ada Bell Way, Southport

SUNDAY

Expect delays, traffic congestion at the following road closures, from 4am to 2pm:

Full road closure: Sundale Bridge, Southport, 5.50am to 7.20am as required under police direction.

Partial road closures:

• Gold Coast Highway, Southport from Ada Bell Way including Sundale Bridge southbound to intersection of Waterways Drive, Main Beach (Northbound lanes will be two way.)

• Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach from Mermaid Ave southbound to Seashell Ave (southbound lanes only to be affected, theywill be down to one lane)

• Bayview St from Lae Dr, Runaway Bay to Madang Cres, Runaway Bay (Local traffic only)

Full road closures:

Northern

• Bayview Str from Madang Cres to Lands End Bridge, Anglers Paradise

• Lae Dr from Bayview St to Morala Ave, Runaway Bay

• Marine Parade from Lands End Bridge Biggera Waters to Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters

• Gold Coast Hwy from Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters to Broad St, Labrador

• Frank St from Broad St, Labrador to Loders Creek Bridge, Labrador

• Marine Parade from Broad St, Labrador to Loders Creek Bridge, Labrador

• Gold Coast Hwy from Loders Creek Bridge, Labrador to Ada Bell Way, Southport

Central

• Waterways Dr from Gold Coast Hwy to SeaWorld Dr, Main Beach

• Macarthur Parade, from SeaWorld Dr to Main Beach Parade, Main Beach

• Main Beach Parade from Macarthur Parade to The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise

• The Esplanade from Main Beach Parade, to Clifford Street, Surfers Paradise

• Clifford St from Northcliffe Tce to Gold Coast Hwy

• Fern St between Garfield Terrace, Surfers Paradise and Old Burleigh Road Surfers Paradise

• Old Burleigh Rd from Fern St to Armrick Ave, Broadbeach

• Broadbeach Boulevard, from Armrick Ave to Queensland Ave, Broadbeach

• Old Burleigh Rd from Queensland Ave to Alexandra Ave, Broadbeach

• Hedges Ave from Alexandra Ave to Seashell Ave, Mermaid Beach

Southern

• Albatross Ave from Seashell Ave to Chairlift Ave, Nobby Beach

• Marine Parade, from Chairlift Ave to Hythe Street, Miami.

• Hythe St, from Marine Parade to Gold Coast Highway

Partial road closure of the following Southern roads:

• Gold Coast Hwy, Miami between Hythe St and Kratzmann Ave (Northbound lanes will be two way)

Gold Coast Hwy Surfers Paradise will have diversions 4.30am-9.00am.

Vehicles south will be diverted at Isle of Capri.

Vehicles north will be diverted at Monaco St.

Gold Coast Hwy Broadbeach will have diversions 4.30am-9am.

Vehicles south diverted at Hooker Blvd. Southbound lanes open from Markeri St.

Vehicles north unaffected.

Originally published as Here’s everything you need to know about the Gold Coast Marathon 2024