Next weekend over 50,000 people will descend on the Gold Coast for the 43rd iteration of the Gold Coast Marathon. Spanning both Saturday July 1st and Sunday July 2nd, the event features everything from a full marathon through to a 2km “Junior Dash”. For those who are running, or spectating, here is an early look at the weather. 

Image: Runners bathe in the morning sunshine in the Gold Coast. Source: Gold Coast Marathon (goldcoastmarathon.com.au)

The half marathon is the first event, with runners setting off at 6:15am on Saturday. Later in the morning the 2km and 4km Junior Dashes and the 5km Fun Run commence. Mostly clear skies and temperatures of around 10°C will greet those at the starting line of the half marathon, warming to the mid-to-high teens when the bulk of the runners cross the finish line. Temperatures will also be in the mid-to-high teens for those in the Junior Dashes and the Fun Run. Thankfully, it is expected to remain dry for the duration of all Saturday races. 

The Gold Coast Marathon itself, along with the Wheelchair Marathon, Wheelchair 10km and the 10km Run all take place on Sunday, with the four events starting between 6:10am and 6:45am. Models are currently indicating more cloud cover compared to Saturday morning. This will bring a milder start to the day, with temperatures of around 15°C expected when the starting guns fire.

Image: Forecast temperatures at the start of the Sunday races. Source: ECMWF model

This increased cloud cover will also act to slow any warming during the day, with temperatures only likely to be a few degrees warmer at the finish line, potentially nudging towards 20°C for those taking a more leisurely pace in the marathon. The risk of showers increases from late morning and into the early afternoon though, perhaps providing some extra motivation for those seeking to hit their personal best times on the fast, flat courses the Gold Coast is renowned for. 

Image: Forecast cloud cover at the start of the Sunday races. Source: ECMWF model

For those heading to the Gold Coast for the event, keep an eye on the forecasts for any changes, and good luck to all those competing!