ASICS Gold Coast Marathon

The Gold Coast is the fastest big-city marathon in Australia, and the numbers explain why: a flat, AIMS-certified loop along the Broadwater, stable cool conditions in early July, and a field of around 26,000 from more than 60 countries. That scale gives it a major-marathon feel few races here can match.

The course runs as an out-and-back along the coast from Southport, almost entirely flat and heavily supported, which is exactly why it produces fast times year after year. For a Boston qualifier or a first sub-4, it is one of the best shots in the country.

The weekend covers two days, Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 July in 2027. Saturday holds the half marathon, the wheelchair events, the 10km, the 5km and the 2km Junior Dash; the marathon is Sunday. The Saturday half marathon regularly hosts the Australian Half Marathon Championships, drawing the national elite into the field. Entries open in early December and the marathon usually sells out inside 48 hours. There is no ballot, so it rewards the organised. Set a reminder for the December open.

Two Queensland titles are settled here as well. Queensland Athletics awards its state 5km road championship in the Saturday 5km, and its state marathon championship on the Sunday, with the marathon winners also earning a start at the Kobe Marathon, the Gold Coast's sister race in Japan. The association attaches its winter road championships to established events rather than staging them separately: the mile goes to Toowoomba, the 10km to Brisbane and the half marathon to the Sunshine Coast. Allocations are set year to year, so confirm with Queensland Athletics before entering for a title (last verified August 2026).

Coolangatta Airport is about 30 minutes from the Southport start, with direct flights from most capital cities. The race precinct sits between Southport and Surfers Paradise, so beds run from budget rooms to beachfront resorts. Book early; it is one of the Coast's busiest weekends.