The Gold Coast Marathon is the Gold Coast’s big running weekend, held on the first weekend of July, with a marathon, a half marathon, a 10 km, a 5 km and a junior dash, with the main precinct at Broadwater Parklands in Southport. The precinct is easy to reach by tram.
The next one is on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 July 2027. Whether you are running or cheering from the footpath, the main things to plan are the early starts, the road closures and how you will get to Southport.
Gold Coast Marathon dates and races
The next Gold Coast Marathon is on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 July 2027. The shorter races run on Saturday and the marathon runs on Sunday.
- Saturday: the half marathon, the 10 km run, the 5 km and the 2 km junior dash, plus the wheelchair 10 km and 5 km.
- Sunday: the marathon and the wheelchair marathon.
The marathon and half marathon have started at dawn, so expect early starts. Start times change from year to year, so check the race weekend schedule before you plan your morning.
The finish line
The race precinct, with the start and finish lines, is Broadwater Parklands on Marine Parade, Southport. The organiser publishes course maps each year with its recommended spots to watch.
Where to watch the Gold Coast Marathon
Broadwater Parklands is the easiest place to spectate, with parkland, the Broadwater and the tram line nearby. The course also runs along the Gold Coast, so you can pick a spot along the way, as long as you can get there before the roads close. The organiser’s course map shows its recommended spots.
Road closures
Police-controlled road closures have covered the course from Paradise Point to Miami, including Southport, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach, Labrador and Runaway Bay, with different times in each suburb.
The organiser publishes a road closures page and suburb-by-suburb letters before each race weekend. Check the page for your suburb if you live on the course or need to drive through.
Getting there and parking
Southport is about 75 km from the Brisbane CBD, about 1 hour by car without traffic. Parking near the finish area is hard to find and nearby roads close, so the tram is the easy way to go.
Broadwater Parklands is by the G:link tram line, and Translink has described the precinct as about 300 m from Southport tram and bus station. The Southport, Southport South and Broadwater Parklands tram stops are the ones to look for. Plan your trip on the Translink event transport page and arrive before the start.
Nearby
- Southport Broadwater Parklands – where the races finish, with rockpools and playgrounds.
- Surfers Paradise Beach – on the marathon course.
- Burleigh Heads Beach – a beach walk after race weekend.
- The Coastal Markets Broadbeach – a market stop on the tram line.
- More things to do on the Gold Coast
- What’s on in South East Queensland
Details can change, so check the organiser’s website before you go.
Quick answers
When is the Gold Coast Marathon?
The next one is on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 July 2027. It is held on the first weekend of July.
Which race is on which day?
The half marathon, 10 km, 5 km and junior dash are on Saturday. The marathon is on Sunday.
Where does the Gold Coast Marathon finish?
The race precinct, with the start and finish lines, is Broadwater Parklands on Marine Parade in Southport.
Are there Gold Coast Marathon road closures?
Yes. Police-controlled closures cover the course from Paradise Point to Miami, starting very early on race days. The organiser publishes closure times for each suburb each year.
How do I get to the finish line?
Take the G:link tram to Southport, which Translink has described as about 300 m from the precinct.
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