Eloise Wellings, two time Olympian and three time Commonwealth Games representative will be the favourite in the women’s field at the Southern Cross University 10km Run at next Sunday’s Gold Coast Airport Marathon.
The 34 year old from New South Wales placed third in the Launceston 10, finishing in 33 minutes 57 seconds last week and she will use the Southern Cross University 10km race as a final preparation for the 10,000m event at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in London this August.
27,000 runners will toe the start line at Gold Coast Airport Marathon on 1 and 2 July.
Also taking part will be Gemma Maini, 30, three times top 10 Southern Cross University 10km Run finisher as well as last year’s third prize winner, Katrina Robinson.
Maini will arrive, looking to go one better than last year’s second place finish (in 34 minutes 26 seconds).
If she wins, Robinson, 16, a five time Zespri Junior Dash winner and the 2km course record holder, will join Australian running legends Pat Carroll and Michael Shelley as the only athletes to take six victories at Gold Coast Airport Marathon events.
Riley Cocks heads the men’s field
In the men’s field, Riley Cocks will be favourite. He is focusing on adding the Southern Cross University 10km Run to his list of accolades, after coming fourth in 2014 and 2015. Cocks will be in great form, after a 10,000m track personal best timing of 29 minutes and 38 seconds, set at the Mt. SAC Relays in California, United States, this year.
Timothy Lefroy from the Australian Capital Territory and Matthew Hudson from New South Wales are also looking to get a good timing, after their recent performances in Tasmania. Lefroy took the tape in the Sydney 10 in May, with a time of 30 minutes 10 seconds and improved this further with a 29 minutes 40 seconds timing and a fourth placed finish in the Launceston 10.
Hudson also posted a personal best timing in the Launceston 10, finishing in 29 minutes 42 seconds and fifth placing.
More than 27,000 runners to take part
Set to attract more than 27,000 runners of all ages and running abilities, the Gold Coast Airport Marathon this year will be held on Saturday 1 July and Sunday 2 July and will feature the Gold Coast Airport Marathon (42.195km), the Wheelchair Marathon, the ASICS Half Marathon (21.1km), the Wheelchair 15km, the Southern Cross University 10km Run, Star Gold Coast 5.7km Challenge for the adults, and for the young ones, the Zespri 4km Junior Dash and the Zespri 2km Junior Dash.
For more information, head to goldcoastmarathon.com.au.
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