Due to cancellations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2022 event marked the return of Australia’s premier road race, the Gold Coast Marathon returning as a physical event for the first time since 2019.

Well-known for its fast and flat course, the event attracts runners from all over the world, including hundreds of Singaporeans who fly in each year for the race. A total of more than 20,000 runners took part across the various distance categories.

Running the full marathon

This year, I was one of them. I was taking part in the full marathon.

After a high of a massive personal best timing a few months ago in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, I was secretly hoping to set the Gold Coast on fire with another personal best and see what I could do. This event would be my second post-pandemic marathon.

Race expo

The race pack collection and expo was open from Thursday afternoon, at the Gold Coast convention centre and ended on Saturday.

It is significantly smaller than the expos at some of the world marathon majors, but there are still plenty of booths, with a lot of promotions and things to check out and buy. 

There was a wide selection of Gold Coast Marathon merchandise too, such as tank tops and t-shirts.

Race day arrives

Race day for the full marathon took place last Sunday and flagging off at 6am.

The past few days leading up to marathon day had been raining nonstop, so I was glad that our prayers for a beautiful day with no rain were answered.

From Surfers Paradise, where we were based, to the race start at Southport, it is a roughly 25 minute ride on the tram. 

But with the tram packed to the brim with marathon runners, the ride was quite easy as we simply got off when everybody does.

Upon reaching the Southport station, the train announcer wished all the marathoners good luck, which I thought was a pretty nice gesture; this would never happen at a race back home in Singapore where the marathon is seen as a major inconvenience.

Reaching the race village 

We reached the race village at 5am and we Singaporeans all gathered and took lots of photos and wished each other luck before the race start.

As it had rained non-stop since we arrived at the Gold Coast, I was keeping my fingers fervently crossed that the weather would be ok. We were fortunate. 

The rain actually cleared up for the marathon, and the temperature was a nice cool 14 degrees C, which was just perfect.

Start line just like old times

Based on our estimated finish timings, I was in Pen B (3hr 30min to 4hr). I started together with Justina and Terence, the latter was running his maiden full marathon.

The start line was very energetic, with the atmosphere building up to a crescendo. The hype and adrenaline were there and it was easy to get soaked up in the buzz.

It was a mass start just like how we knew it in the pre-covid days. The moment the starting horn blew, we started shuffling towards the start line. There was no lag time in between Pen A and Pen B; the flag-offs continued on immediately from each other.

Setting a good pace

My jacket came off just before the start and I was running in just a singlet and shorts. The temperature was good and I didn’t feel cold. I started off following the 3hr 50min pacers but I soon found myself overtaking them.

I felt great in the early stages and I was setting a good pace. 

The hydration stations were well spaced apart, every 2.5km, which was more than adequate in the cool Gold Coast climate.

I wanted to make sure that I got in enough fluids, so I took a sip of drink at nearly every station. 

It can be quite deceiving in colder climates because you tend to feel less thirsty. But when doing vigorous activities such as a marathon, hydrating is still of paramount importance.

The full marathon route was an out-and-back, generally flat and runs along the beach and coastline, stretching all the way from Southport to Burleigh Heads.

Yuki Kawauchi struggling

At around my 9km mark, I saw Japanese elite runner Yuki Kawauchi seemingly limping and struggling. 

I recognised him and was wondering at that point what had happened to him.

Apparently I later found out that Yuki had picked up an injury at just 5km in his race but instead of quitting, he chose to grit his teeth and complete it. 

One of my favourite elites, Yuki really earns my respect for his decision not to pull out of the Gold Coast Marathon despite struggling. 

He might not have won the race, but he is a champion in my eyes for soldering on to finish it.

Kena chased by Justina 

My friend Justina was hot on my heels. Every time I thought she may have fallen behind, she would appear again. 

But I guess it was good, because she kept me on my toes to hold onto my pace and not slow down.

Pockets of spectators

Throughout the race, there were pockets of spectators who had come out to cheer and support the runners. I didn’t see many people at the start due to the early hour, but after daylight broke, the supporters were out lining the route.

At the turning point around 16km at Burleigh Heads, Justina and I spotted Terence on the other side of the turn and we waved to him. He was running just behind the four hour pacers at that point. It seemed at that point like he was indeed trying for a sub four hour marathon.

The first 21km is the easy bit

I was still feeling good at the 21km point; in fact I think I set a 21km personal best when I hit the 21km marker, with my gel strategy on target and going as planned.

At this point, I think I was on target for a 3:40hr marathon.

But they always say that the marathon starts after 30km. The first 21km is the easy part.

My lungs continued to feel good, but around 25km or so, I could feel my legs beginning to ache. I think my pace may have slowed down a little bit.

Supporters galore

People were out and about; some dining at the cafes along the route, others out from their houses and hotels, all with the same purpose of supporting the marathon and cheering on the runners. It is completely different to Singapore where there are no spectators.

I particularly found it motivating when I heard people call out my name “Go Pris!” It brought a smile to my face and gave me renewed energy to not slow down and keep moving.

There was this point somewhere around the second third of the race when I heard, “Go Pris!” Followed by “Go Justina!” And I realised she was right behind me. Zomg. She was really hanging onto me.

I told myself: Don’t slow down. Keep going. Hold the pace as best as you can.

The inflatable yellow kangaroo

I smiled when I saw some spectators who had come with props. I remember that someone brought a giant inflatable yellow kangaroo wearing boxing gloves.

I actually chuckled to myself when I saw it sitting on the pavement next to its owner when I passed it for the second time during the out-and-back course. It was looking like it was all ready for a wrestling match, not spectating a marathon.

Hitting 30km

We passed by the finish area at Southport around 30km and that was especially mental to see other people on the verge of finishing but I still had 12km left to go.

My legs were getting pretty heavy and achy by the time I crossed 30km too. I guess it’s normal for the legs to feel that way after running so far.

Fortunately, I didn’t feel the onset of cramps this time around.

The Final 10km

There was a hill at 31km. I was in disbelief when I saw it. Ok, it was more like a slope – but then again, every slope feels like a hill or mountain after 31km of continuous running.

There was a CrampFix station after 31km. This was to help runners who were cramping up. I didn’t stop to take one because I didn’t feel that I needed it.

The last stretch after 32km was pretty trying. My legs were feeling more and more heavy and I had to will myself to just keep on going.

The temperature had also warmed up by this point and I think that it was hitting around 19 degrees. Luckily it was still not too sunny yet or I think I may have died.

The pockets of spectators definitely helped me to get through. There were more people out during this section of the race now as this was a more “civilised” time of the day to wake up on a Sunday morning.

I took a gummy snake from a spectator somewhere in the later stages along the course. No, I don’t usually take sweets from strangers, but during a marathon, it is different.

I saw Yuki again at around my 37 to 39km or so. He was on the other side of the u-turn meaning that the injured elite runner was a few minutes behind me, still trying to finish the marathon.

My full respect goes out to Yuki for not dropping out like most elites would probably do. Yuki would eventually finish in a time of 3hr 57min.

The final stretch

Justina slowed down around 38km, finally conceding that she couldn’t chase me anymore. 

Trying to keep my focus on the race and maintain my pacing during the final stages, I found myself counting down the kilometre markers, 38km, 39km, 40km, when was it going to end? If I didn’t slow down too much, I knew that I possibly had another personal best in the bag.

My legs were rather tired and aching everywhere but my lungs were still feeling pretty good.

The finish 

When my watch finally buzzed 42km, the finish line was nowhere to be seen. Where was it? Surely this was it already?

Finally I saw the sign, 250 metres to go. I grit my teeth, gave it my all and sprinted for the finish line.

I knew I could run a personal best, but it was going to be a tight one this round. I just needed to maintain my pace at least.

Knowing the finish was right there, my legs suddenly decided they wanted to “play nice” again for a nice, strong sprint finish past the line. Thank you, legs.

Then it was right up ahead. The sky blue finish arch was coming nearer. I could do it.

Personal Best by 40 Seconds

Then that was it. The finish line was right there.

I crossed the line.

3 hours 45 min 30 sec. That is the official timing.

Personal best.

By 40 seconds.

I had beaten the 3 hour 46 min 10 sec timing that I ran in Rotterdam. 

I have totally missed this feeling during the Covid days.

My legs immediately seized up the moment I stopped after crossing the finish and I had to wait for about a minute or so before I regained control of them.

After the finish

Ming Ham, who is well known for his photos in the Singapore running circles, was there as a photographer and he graciously helped me take my finish photo on my phone.

My “shadow” arrived three minutes after me, also a new personal best for her.

Justina and I congratulated each other and headed to collect our medal and finisher t-shirts, then we headed over to the finisher village to take some more well-deserved photos.