The Gold Coast Marathon returns for its 45th year this weekend with a strong contingent of Bull Sharks taking to the start line at Broadwater Parklands.
For some Bondies, this year’s Gold Coast Marathon marks their debut over 42.2km, while other more seasoned runners will add the run to an impressive list of long-distance events both in Australia and overseas.
The much-loved event is known as Australia’s fastest marathon with over 60% of competitors taking home a personal best.
Bond Bachelor of Medical Studies, Doctor of Medicine student Sophie Rice is no stranger to the Broadwater Parklands start line - this year’s half marathon is her fourth.
She’ll also head overseas to tackle the Wimbledon Half Marathon later this month.
“I used to be a competitive runner, so I don’t think that competitive feeling ever fades but I definitely do these events more for recreation and a personal challenge to work towards,” she said.
“A bucket list of mine is to eventually tick off the eight World Marathon majors once I get into running full marathons.”
Canadian Doctor of Physiotherapy student, Nicholas Reimer, will also get a taste of the scenic Gold Coast course as he attempts to complete his first full marathon on Sunday.
“I have done some half marathons previously with my Canadian University Track and Field team, but my main distances were the 1000m and the 1500m,” he said.
“I’ve been training hard over the past 6 months with a goal to run under 2:45 and I am excited to branch out to a longer distance race.”
“The Gold Coast event seems like a great marathon that combines a competitive, fun, and scenic environment to make for a great first marathon experience. I hope that this is the first of many marathons to come.”
Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science student, Alexander Dunster, likes to run his marathons on Australia soil.
Last year he competed in the Sunshine Coast and Noosa Marathons. He plans to run the Sydney Marathon later this year
“I have always enjoyed distance running but I’d never dreamed of running a marathon or really even imagined I could, until I ran a half marathon last year in Brisbane,” he said.
“After that I thought I can't just half-arse it now- it's time to do a full one!”
In total, seven Bull Sharks will tackle the Gold Coast course - Sophie Rice, Nicholas Reimer, Alexander Dunster, Aymen Alhilali, Sam Richards, Morgan Roberts, and Savannah Stevenson.
All will be running for UniSport Games points with the Gold Coast Marathon doubling as the main UniSport running event.