Weatherman Luke Bradnam gears up for 2025 Gold Coast Marathon

Seasoned weatherman and local boatie Luke Bradnam won’t be a fish out of water in a sea of runners this Sunday.

Seasoned weatherman and local boatie Luke Bradnam won’t be a fish out of water in a sea of runners this Sunday.

Inducted into the Gold Coast Marathon Legends Club in 2017, the often-barefoot reporter will lace up for his 24th marathon.

It’s a circuit he says is so sublime he thought it would be selected for the 2032 Brisbane Games. The current plan for the Olympic marathon is on the Sunshine Coast.

“I have done marathons around the world and none of them showcase their home the way that we do with our marathon route,” he said.

Gold Coast weather man Luke Bradnam is lacing up for Gold Coast Marathon this weekend, and will also give everyone the run down on closed roads and weather for the race. Picture Glenn Hampson

“It’s flat, it’s spectacular and I can’t believe it’s not going to be used for the Olympics.”

In its 45th year, Bradnam predicted the only thing the Gold Coast event would be showered in was runners.

“We couldn’t ask for better conditions,” he said.

“It’ll be a very cold start for the Saturday half marathon and 10km events but no rain.”

Joining the largest 42.2km race in the event’s history, with more than 15,000 registered runners, Bradnam would be excited to see cloud cover.

“On Sunday we will see a warmer morning with a bit of cloud cover which I’m looking forward to because it can get harsh running with the sun belting down on you.”

The TSS ‘old boy’ said his sporting success “wouldn’t fill the back of a postage stamp, but that’s the great thing about a marathon … you don’t need to win to have been successful”.

“Just keep moving forward, one foot in front of the other and as long as you do that, you will eventually get to the finishing line,” he said.

Bradnam forecasted a 100 per cent chance of personal pain in his race.

“I honestly haven’t done any training at all so I have no hope of getting anywhere near my personal best which is three hours and 45 minutes,” he said.

Gold Coast weather man Luke Bradnam is lacing up for Gold Coast Marathon this weekend, and will also give everyone the run down on closed roads and weather for the race. Picture Glenn Hampson

“I have learnt to embrace the pain. I have somehow even learnt to enjoy the pain.

“I’m always excited on a marathon morning because I know that it is a day that I will remember for the rest of my life and how many days in your life can you say that you are truly about to do something great?

“It hurts, it’s not easy and there’s a reason most people won’t ever take on the challenge, but when you get to run the last 100m it will all feel worth it.

“What I love about marathons and marathoners is that everybody is running for different reasons.

“Everybody has their own inspiration as to why they are not going to stop, why they are going to keep pushing through the pain.

“We see our sporting heroes exhibit courage on the sporting field and it is always incredible to watch.

“A marathon gives you the opportunity to show your courage and not be a spectator but rather be in the ring competing.”

He encouraged the Gold Coast community to get out and make everyone feel like a winner this weekend. His favourite vantage point? The Sundale Bridge.

“Halfway across the bridge is the 30km mark. Every marathoner will tell you, the 30km line is the real start of the run. Everybody’s story will unfold between the 30km mark and the finishing line,” he said.

They’re some of the stories you can look forward to in print on Monday morning in Gold Coast Bulletin’s coverage of the 45th annual Gold Coast Marathon.

Originally published as Weatherman Luke Bradnam gears up for 2025 Gold Coast Marathon