2025 Gold Coast Marathon: National Records Fall as Southeast Asian Runners Shine on Historic Weekend

Elite runners shine while everyday heroes from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and beyond make history in the region’s favorite international marathon

GOLD COAST, Queensland, Australia – July 6, 2025 — The 45th edition of the Gold Coast Marathon concluded with a landmark weekend of achievements — from national records set by Southeast Asia’s top runners to inspirational stories of everyday athletes crossing the finish line.

With over 34,000 participants, this year’s race not only broke attendance records but solidified the event’s place as one of the world’s most inclusive and exciting road races.

Indonesia Celebrates Double Marathon Records

Indonesia had its most successful showing in years, as Robi Syianturi made headlines by smashing the Southeast Asian and Indonesian men’s national marathon records, finishing with a time of 2:15:04 that placed him among the top Asian competitors in the field.

In a spectacular double achievement for the nation, the Indonesian women’s national marathon record was also broken by Odekta Naibaho (2:31:34), marking a transformative moment for long-distance running in the country.

The milestone performances set the tone for Indonesia’s road to the 2025 SEA Games, with both athletes now strong medal contenders heading into regional competition.

Singapore’s Vanessa Lee and Shaun Goh Break 5KM National Records

While the marathon was the main event, Singaporean athletes stole the spotlight in the Gold Coast 5KM race, with Vanessa Lee and Shaun Goh each breaking national records for the women's and men's categories respectively.

Goh, a rising talent in Singapore's distance running scene, executed a well-paced sprint finish to shave seconds off the previous mark to finish with 00:14:49. Lee, known for her versatility on both road and track, powered through the flat Gold Coast course to claim her spot in the national record books.

The 26-year-old blazed through the course in 16:57, smashing the previous National Record of 17:08 set by Goh Chui Ling in 2022. Vanessa placed 4th out of 2,401 female runners, finishing as the fastest Asian woman in the race.

Both athletes are now poised for strong showings at the SEA Games and could be key figures in Singapore’s ongoing push in middle-distance road racing.

Malaysia’s Ni Jia and Muhaizar Mohamad Qualify for SEA Games with Sub-2:30 Marathons

Malaysia’s long-distance veterans Yeow Ni Jia (2:27:42) and Muhaizar Mohamad (2:28:48) proved their consistency with impressive sub-2:30 finishes in the full marathon, comfortably qualifying for the 2025 SEA Games.

Their performances underscore Malaysia’s growing depth in the marathon category and signal a renewed challenge to regional rivals come Games time.

Record Participation at Gold Coast Marathon’s 45th Anniversary

Beyond elite performances, the 2025 Gold Coast Marathon made history with its largest-ever participant turnout, as thousands of recreational and competitive runners took to the iconic Queensland course.

Celebrating its 45th anniversary, the event reaffirmed its status as Australia’s premier international road race, attracting top talent and emerging stars from across Asia-Pacific.

Race organisers confirmed a significant uptick in overseas entries, with a notable contingent from Southeast Asia — particularly from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam — reflecting the region’s growing enthusiasm for distance running and world-class iconic Queensland course.

Celebrating its 45th anniversary, the event reaffirmed its status as Australia’s premier international road race, attracting top talent and emerging stars from across Asia-Pacific.

Race organisers confirmed a significant uptick in overseas entries, with a notable contingent from Southeast Asia — particularly from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam — reflecting the region’s growing enthusiasm for distance running and world-class racing opportunities.

Southeast Asia on the Rise in International Marathoning

This year’s results show a clear trend: Southeast Asia’s presence in global distance running is growing stronger. With national records falling, SEA Games qualifications secured, and young talent breaking through, the Gold Coast Marathon continues to serve as a proving ground for the region’s best.

As the countdown to the 2025 SEA Games begins, all eyes will be on athletes like Robi Syianturi, Vanessa Lee, Shaun Goh, Yeow Ni Jia, and Muhaizar Mohamad — who have not only earned their spots on their national teams, but also on the regional and continental radar. Love reading our Gold Coast Marathon content, visit our Gold Coast Marathon microsite for more here. #GCM25 #RunGoldCoast #ThisIsQueensland