Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
The Gold Coast Marathon draws approximately 6,500 finishers on a scenic coastal road in Gold Coast, Australia. The course starts and finishes at Southport Broadwater Parklands. Very flat and fast, with no significant hills.
Gold Coast Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next Gold Coast Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 4 July 2027 with a 6:30 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 62 m of climbing on a very flat layout.
The Gold Coast Marathon is an out-and-back course that starts and finishes at Southport Broadwater Parklands and follows the Pacific Highway beside the surf beaches of the Gold Coast. The route is extremely flat with no significant hills, and spectators gather at Broadwater Parklands and line the highway through Surfers Paradise and the coastal strip.
The Gold Coast Marathon course is very flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 62 metres of climbing and 65 metres of descent, with a net descent of 3 metres from start to finish.
Registration is available at goldcoastmarathon.com.au. Entry is first-come, first-served; the race typically sells out 3–6 months in advance. International runners from New Zealand, Japan, and the UK make up a significant portion of the field.
Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Other races closest to Gold Coast.
The Brisbane Marathon draws approximately 5,500 finishers on an urban road in Brisbane, Australia. The course starts and finishes at South Bank Parklands. The route crosses the Story Bridge, passes the Kangaroo Point cliffs, and follows the Brisbane River. Mostly flat with a climb on the Story Bridge.
Next race: Sunday, 6 June 2027
The Sunshine Coast Marathon at Mooloolaba draws about 8,000 finishers each August on a fast, flat coastal course along Queensland's Sunshine Coast. The route follows the Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba Beach esplanade with Pacific Ocean views. August dry winter weather and a flat beachfront profile make it one of Australia's fastest marathons.
Next race: Sunday, 2 August 2026
The Noosa Marathon attracts about 3,000 finishers each June along Queensland's Sunshine Coast hinterland and coastal roads. The course passes Noosa National Park approaches, the Noosa River, and the Hastings Street resort area. June mild winter weather and a mix of coastal and hinterland scenery make it a popular Queensland destination marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 6 June 2027
The Canberra Marathon is Australia's capital city marathon, drawing about 2,000 finishers each April around Lake Burley Griffin. The course passes Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, and the lake's scenic shores. April autumn weather in the bush capital and a flat lake loop make it the ACT's premier marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027
When a flat course helps your time, when hills are worth the view, and how to pick terrain that fits your training and goals.
Read guide →
How major marathons allocate places — open entry, lotteries, charity bibs, tour operators, and what to check before you commit to a trip.
Read guide →
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
Read guide →