Gold Coast Marathon 2025 Draws 38,000 Runners: Singaporeans Celebrate Firsts, Personal Bests & 45 Years of Racing Magic

SportPlus News
Jul 9
3 min read

Updated: Sep 4

Singaporean Runners Shine with Smiles, Stories, and Personal Bests

PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANA BASIR — PHOTO: **SPORTPLUS.SG** / HANA BASIR

The Gold Coast Marathon 2025, celebrating its 45th anniversary, wrapped up in spectacular fashion this past weekend, with over 38,000 runners from around the globe descending upon sunny Queensland for a race that lived up to its world-class reputation.

Among them, a strong contingent of Singaporean runners 500+ strong brought vibrant energy, determination, and plenty of smiles to the event, sharing unforgettable experiences of triumph, personal growth, and first-time finishes.

For many, this year’s edition wasn’t just about medals — it was about milestones. Erin Ong achieved her half-marathon personal best with a time of 1:57:09 in her first overseas race, and crossed the finish line in tears of joy.

“It was really great, the weather was really good. The vibes were really good, there were cheer zones all the way from 10km onwards, I think this is the race that I enjoyed the most so far.

"If you really want to get your PB, this is the place to be! The weather is really good too and the course is flat which makes it a good place to race."

Priscilla Chan of local run group Run.JPG shared that though it was a tough day on the course for her, it was a meaningful experience for her as she came with friends.

"My race experience today was pretty painful, but it was fun also because I am here with a group of friends. I would definitely recommend first full marathon experience, for anyone who wishes to try - Gold Coast would be the place to come."

First time marathoners Shannon Chong and Jonathan Wui of Fast and Free Run Club (FFRC), raved about their maiden marathon experience, telling SportPlus.sg:

Shannon shared: "It is my first full marathon and the vibes were just so good. People were offering water from their own houses, gummy bears, and I think the huge factor is really the weather because you'd never get this weather in Singapore. For our first full marathon? 10 out of 10."

"People were cheering from their houses, loudspeakers and all that, the vibes were really on point," nodded Jonathan in agreement.

"Running 42km is really no joke, but the option is always open to come back and do Gold Coast Marathon again."

“This course is magic. Flat, fast, and with so much support on the sidelines—I shaved nearly 10 minutes off my previous time. I couldn’t be happier!”

From the full marathon to the 10km, Singaporean runners could be seen soaking in the camaraderie, cheering each other on in English, Singlish, and a chorus of dialects.

Many flew in as part of local running clubs and communities, with pre-race dinners and post-race beach gatherings giving the event a warm, communal vibe.

Another heartwarming story came from best friends Shafiq and Rachel, who took on the half marathon together. “We signed up on a whim last year, trained every weekend, and came here to finish strong. Today, we did it—hand in hand across the finish line,” said Rachel.

The 45th anniversary edition of the Gold Coast Marathon proved once again why it remains a favorite among international runners. With its scenic coastal route, impeccable organisation, and festive spirit, it continues to attract participants year after year—and for the Singaporean runners who made the journey in 2025, it was nothing short of unforgettable.

As many of them said with tired legs and full hearts: “We’ll be back.” Stay up to date on the latest Gold Coast Marathon stories and news in our GCM microsite here.

#GCM25 #RunGoldCoast #GoldCoastMarathon

Gold Coast Marathon 2025 Draws 38,000 Runners: Singaporeans Celebrate Firsts, Personal Bests & 45 Years of Racing Magic

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