58 replies to this topic

[SunRunner2012]

A new addition to the south east Queensland marathon calendar is the Sunshine Coast Marathon, launched a couple of weeks ago.

Good sponsors on board already with McDonald's and Westpac, major beneficiary is Ronald McDonald House Charities and runners can raise their own funds through Everyday Hero.

Distances are 3km,5km,10km, half and a full marathon with the inaugural course to mimic the London 2012 four-lap course.

Wheelies and prams are encouraged to participate too.

Spectator friendly, starting and finishing in front of Alex Surf Club, only once up Alex Hill, scenic, fast, flat and good interest levels so far, early bird entry fee of $99 until May.


www.sunshinecoastmarathon.com.au

[BrizBlue]

Registered for the full already, can't wait

[AndyP]

I'm tempted to do the marathon, even though I had no plans to run a marathon this year.  I don't know if I want to miss out on running the inaugural running of a marathon where I've spent a lot of time.

From what I've read the course isn't strictly 4 laps, as they plan to go up and over Alex Headland once.  I imagine the lapped part of the course will rely a little on paths and the streets of Cotton Tree.

If I did sign up for the marathon, I'd have to start training at the end of next month.  Gulp!  I don't know if I could do that.

[SillyFatWanker]

Do eeeeeeeeeet!

[00Alchemy00]

I'm doing the half provided I manage (and enjoy!) the noosa half. I love that the sunshine coast has a fair few options on the running calendar

[Tzone]

A running festival on the Sunny coast - and a marathon! woo hoo I'm in. Looks to me like its a charity event too - more than happy to participate when the proceeds go to a good cause - not just into the event organisers pockets.

[DoggieDoctor]

I wonder why the earlybird closes almost 4 months before the event? Just after GCM would have been a better date surely. I hate to miss out on "discounts". Could get a lot of late entries in August. Congrats to the organisers to start this event up and hopefully, it will go well. Personally, I'm not fond of Brisbane and I can't always just get on a plane and go to Sydney so SCM is a good fix for that.

[Hoary]

This will be my maiden marathon at 53 yrs of age.....after weighing 91kgs in August 2010 & sitting on a bar stool for the past 25 yrs I decided to smarten myself up.... I'm down to 67 kgs now & have 2 half marathons under my belt & have improved my 10kms from 1.09 down to 53.15 in last Sundays H2H . My good mate lives at Buderim so I'll travelling from Newcastle twith a few mates to compete..
Can a local tell me what to expect at that time of the year with humidity/heat factor???
I did holiday there in January & had a few runs from Alex Surf to Headland & the heat wasn't too bad then...

[speedyrs09]

If its wet the temperature should be around 12-15 degrees in the morning with obviously high humidity and could be up to 18-19 degrees at 10 o'clock , if its dry it will be 10-12 degrees at the start of the marathon but could be 20-21 degrees by 10 o'clock, humidity on the sunshine coast is usually 60% give or take a bit all year round, estimates only of coarse, this is a good reference http://www.bom.gov.a...81.201108.shtml

on a slightly sceptical note I would like to see how they plan on only going over Alexander headland once during a 1-2k loop at the start of the races

Edited by speedyrs09, 04 April 2012 - 04:29 PM.

[AndyP]

speedyrs09, on 04 April 2012 - 04:25 PM, said:

on a slightly sceptical note I would like to see how they plan on only going over Alexander headland once during a 1-2k loop at the start of the races

I can see it being very crowded if it's used as the starting part, as they will probably use paths only for that section, and for the return back there could be some messy head on stuff.  I just can't see them closing the main road

[Hoary]

speedyrs09, on 04 April 2012 - 04:25 PM, said:

If its wet the temperature should be around 12-15 degrees in the morning with obviously high humidity and could be up to 18-19 degrees at 10 o'clock , if its dry it will be 10-12 degrees at the start of the marathon but could be 20-21 degrees by 10 o'clock, humidity on the sunshine coast is usually 60% give or take a bit all year round, estimates only of coarse, this is a good reference http://www.bom.gov.a...81.201108.shtml

on a slightly sceptical note I would like to see how they plan on only going over Alexander headland once during a 1-2k loop at the start of the races

Thanks Speedy...so humidity shouldn't be a major problem ...unless Im out there for more than 4 1/2 hrs !!!

[SunRunner2012]

AndyP, on 04 April 2012 - 08:59 PM, said:

speedyrs09, on 04 April 2012 - 04:25 PM, said:

on a slightly sceptical note I would like to see how they plan on only going over Alexander headland once during a 1-2k loop at the start of the races

I can see it being very crowded if it's used as the starting part, as they will probably use paths only for that section, and for the return back there could be some messy head on stuff.  I just can't see them closing the main road

I am entered too after speaking to the organisers and have been told that council AND Main Roads are in support and YES the entire run will be on closed roads. There are some nice beachfront footpaths for training on but they couldn't run a decent (and long-term race) without road closures. You just wouldn't attract the numbers. They have capped entries at 5000 and official course maps will be loaded within the next 10 days. I suspect all going well things might change in years to come, based on feedback and growth, but for an inaugural event it sounds promising. I heard a rumour that Campbell Newman was going to run too. Ha! It might have been heresay but stranger things have happened!

[Bellthorpe]

Quote

after speaking to the organisers...

Given that you are the organiser, that's a little disingenuous.

Perhaps if you added that to your signature ...

[AndyP]

I want to hear more about the Can-Do rumour.

[Tuttle]

AndyP, on 06 April 2012 - 01:25 AM, said:

I want to hear more about the Can-Do rumour.

I'm assuming Andy, that if Can-Do turns out to be a Can't-Do, or a Won't Do, or Isn't-Doing, you will still do?

[AndyP]

Might-Do.

[00Alchemy00]

SunRunner2012, on 20 March 2012 - 01:04 PM, said:

A new addition to the south east Queensland marathon calendar is the Sunshine Coast Marathon, launched a couple of weeks ago.

Good sponsors on board already with McDonald's and Westpac, major beneficiary is Ronald McDonald House Charities and runners can raise their own funds through Everyday Hero.

Distances are 3km,5km,10km, half and a full marathon with the inaugural course to mimic the London 2012 four-lap course.

Wheelies and prams are encouraged to participate too.

Spectator friendly, starting and finishing in front of Alex Surf Club, only once up Alex Hill, scenic, fast, flat and good interest levels so far, early bird entry fee of $99 until May.


www.sunshinecoastmarathon.com.au

My bold...prams are only permitted for the 2km and the way it is worded on the site is a little misleading too. I was going to enter with my daughter but will look like I'll be going this one alone again.

Perhaps organisers can look into this for future events as most of the major marathons/half marathons across the country permit (and encourage) pram entrants.

[MiddleChild]

My God - what disappointment!!!!!

When I first found this thread I jumped out of my seat with excitement.

Then I checked the event website to find another snooze-fest of running laps at the car park.


I live 10 minutes from the start line but I am not bothering with this.

The reason I run is for my own enjoyment and I can do it without expensive equipment or a fancy membership.


The reason I run events is to either: run in a beautiful location; run in places usually off limits (think Sydney Harbour Bridge);

or run somewhere truly challenging.

Is there a marathon left in Australia that can fulfil any of these criterium without lapping itself?


The Sunshine Coast could cover all three - but this is what they come up with.

[speedyrs09]

MiddleChild, on 14 April 2012 - 09:35 PM, said:

The reason I run events is to either: run in a beautiful location; run in places usually off limits (think Sydney Harbour Bridge);

or run somewhere truly challenging.

Is there a marathon left in Australia that can fulfil any of these criterium without lapping itself?


The Sunshine Coast could cover all three - but this is what they come up with.

It should have some good scenic spots, as for running places usually off limits, there is the Motorway, but I don't think its that great, and for challenging there is Mt Buderim, but I can't see many people wanting to climb from sea level to 200 metres above it, and then have to descend as well. I do agree that It would be nice If it didn't lap itself 4 times, but I guess that might change in the future as the event becomes larger

[MikeLikeRun]

speedyrs09, on 16 April 2012 - 11:57 PM, said:

but I can't see many people wanting to climb from sea level to 200 metres above it, and then have to descend as well.

Plenty of people do that on trails.  I did up and down Buderim twice in one run in preparation for the Mount Glorious trail run, which was a sell out event, and it was a piece of cake in comparison.

Although Mt Glorious was hard enough I decided to give trail running a break for a while until I got fitter and stronger.

Edited by MikeLikeRun, 17 April 2012 - 11:48 AM.

[AndyP]

You wouldn't do it in a standard marathon though.

[AussieAussieAussie]

I dont think the course will be any less scenic than the Gold Coast marathon and no-one complains about that. Sure the huge numbers mean the atmosphere there is pretty cool but in terms of being 'scenic' I'd say this course is on par if not better.

Granted the 4 laps kind of sucks but I'll be there to run, not look at the view. If I wanted a nice view I wouldn't be running in an urban marathon, I'd go run up Mt Coolum or something.

I wonder what the drop out rate is like on these sorts of courses that are laps? I imagine that if you havent prepared properly and/or are really struggling at around the 32km mark and thinking of pulling the pin then it has to be pretty tempting considering you'll already be at (or very close to) base. Normally with 10km to go in the race, even if your hurting, you still have 10km to go to get back to base so you just have to keep going.

Also if the organisers are reading this, in my opinion you're earlybird cut off is too early. You could have at least extended it until AFTER the Noosa Winter Festival, I cant believe youre cutting it off just a few days before. People will finish the Noosa 5km, 10km, Half etc and be pumped about running and start looking for their next challenge, I know a lot of people who only look locally for events so they'll stumble onto this race to see they've missed saving $20 by a couple of days .  Keep in mind though that I know nothing about organising races or the when's, how's and who's of where the $ go, so maybe there's a completely valid reason. I just know like to keep as many of my $ in my pocket as possible.

Looking forward to a new event on the Coast though, slots in as nice warmup for Glasshouse a few weeks later too.

[funrunner63]

I was pretty keen until I saw the map. My understanding is that the first lap goes over Alex Headlands completely twice, then a third time to the top before turning around back to the surf club. The next 3 laps go to the top before turning around and back to the surf club. So all up it looks like a total of 6 climbs up Alex Headlands. I would think that'd make it a "slower course" and not necessarily one for PBs. The 6:00am start is a bonus compared to Gold Coast, I guess I'd hoped that Alex Hill would only be in the first 2.2km, then there'd be 4 laps of pancake flat 5k out and back north of the surf club. That would be a significantly faster course.

I think I'm just too soft!!

Funrunner aka Craig

P.S. Good to see you on here SpeedyRS09. I didn't realise you were a Coolrunner!!!

[AndyP]

The turnaround point is only part of the way up the hill, and it certainly takes out the worst of it.  I've ran it plenty of times (in fact I've been over the whole course a fair bit), and I can't quite recall what sort of climb it is up to Bokatilla St, the turnaround point.  Not as flat as they make out, but not too much of a hill either.

The course is pretty much as I predicted, although they have managed to fit Mooloolaba in once because it's early in the morning.

As much as I'd like to do a marathon on what would feel like a home course, I don't want to train for it.  I might just do the 10k to be a part of it all.

[SillyFatWanker]

I live adjacent to Bukatilla on Edward st, there is a little bit of a climb but nothing to complain about - It may even be a refreshing change of muscle use!

I'd love to think I'll have a home turf advantage but after returning from a 3 week holiday in Hawaii that week I think i'll be doing the fat wanker part of my name proud...

I've actually seen some television advertising for this which surprised me, Good on them for trying to get the word out and not flying under the radar.

[Hoary]

Hills !!! They advertised it as a flat course except for one hill on the first lap.....iits my first marathon & its going to hurt more than I thought !! Anyway, I'll be there..all the way from Newcastle.
I'm arriving a week before the race & can any local refer me to a good remedial/sports masseur???

[AndyP]

AndyP, on 23 April 2012 - 08:42 PM, said:

The turnaround point is only part of the way up the hill, and it certainly takes out the worst of it.  I've ran it plenty of times (in fact I've been over the whole course a fair bit), and I can't quite recall what sort of climb it is up to Bokatilla St, the turnaround point.  Not as flat as they make out, but not too much of a hill either.

I've changed my mind after running on the Coast this weekend.  I went over the course via the paths as part of my run.  Getting to Bokatilla St is the bulk of the climbing to get to the top of the Headland.  It's a decent hill and will definitely affect momentum.

Other things to note.
- That hill is pretty much the only hill.  It is very flat otherwise, unless you count the bridge crossing of the creek.
- Wind could be a big factor.  I was happily running on the out part of the lap feeling like I was traveling well, and then I turned around.....  It was particularly noticeable once following the coastline instead of the river.
- Cotton Tree has markets on a Sunday, so the organisers have done well if they have got a road closure that goes straight past it.
- The stretch past the Maroochydore SLS club is only one lane so that's another surprising spot for a road closure, considering it will be closed until at least 11am.

AussieAussieAussie, on 23 April 2012 - 04:39 PM, said:

Also if the organisers are reading this, in my opinion you're earlybird cut off is too early. You could have at least extended it until AFTER the Noosa Winter Festival, I cant believe youre cutting it off just a few days before. People will finish the Noosa 5km, 10km, Half etc and be pumped about running and start looking for their next challenge, I know a lot of people who only look locally for events so they'll stumble onto this race to see they've missed saving $20 by a couple of days .  Keep in mind though that I know nothing about organising races or the when's, how's and who's of where the $ go, so maybe there's a completely valid reason. I just know like to keep as many of my $ in my pocket as possible.

Done.  They have it at the 9th now.

[lilrunner]

Would love to enter this but the restriction on race pack collection the day before the race will probably prevent me from doing so. I live in Brisbane and prefer to either have the race pack mailed out to me or collected on the morning of the race. Hoping they may consider this for future races.

[00Alchemy00]

Lilrunner, I can probably assist with race pack collection for you if you want? PM if interested. I agree the restriction on this makes in difficult for out-of-towners but as I'm potentially collecting a few packs on the sat for other brisbanites, I'm happy to assist you. Email Dan at atlas multisports if you're keen to participate in this event and want d to collect your pack.

(I'm in no way associated with atlas or this event in any official capacity but happy to help anyone out who cannot collect on the Saturday).

[ripas]

Anyone know if there will be pacers?

[Eagle]

Penciled in but no bookings yet made. Hills, laps its still 42.2k and I am happy to take what comes.

A 200m rise - that's flat compared to last weeks trail marathon that had over 2200m of rise and fall.

[lilrunner]

00Alchemy00, on 09 June 2012 - 10:47 PM, said:

Lilrunner, I can probably assist with race pack collection for you if you want? PM if interested. I agree the restriction on this makes in difficult for out-of-towners but as I'm potentially collecting a few packs on the sat for other brisbanites, I'm happy to assist you. Email Dan at atlas multisports if you're keen to participate in this event and want d to collect your pack.

(I'm in no way associated with atlas or this event in any official capacity but happy to help anyone out who cannot collect on the Saturday).

Oh really?? That's too kind! Yes, would love to do this event. Will send you a PM...

[teans]

I've decided to run the half in this one. A little nervous as I was training for the Gold Coast half but had knee issues at the time so decided to stop. Knees seem better now so I'm giving it my all.

[johnnyc]

Just did the full GCM last weekend, and this might be a great goal. Thinking about doing the half marathon to capitilise on the fitness gained from the GC Full.

Is anybody else thinking the same, or is it a bit soon after the full to do the HM?

[Unlikelyrunner]

A potential great event if not for this race kit collection debacle.

Several people I know wont go for the same reason.

Maybe next year have a Brisbane or Gold Coast collection point or for a few $ extra post out.

[DoggieDoctor]

Yes that ruled it out for me as well.

[JumpingJack]

At the Gold Coast marathon expo there was a Sunshine Coast marathon stall and I was chatting to one of the organisers there.  After saying I was from Brisbane but I wasn’t doing their event due to no race day kit collection he said that he had that same feedback earlier on and he seemed pretty committed to arrange something for the morning of the race(s).

Despite this, there is still no change to the ‘no kit collection on race day’ notice on the website.

[Steve 'The Footman']

We would offer to do a Brisbane Kit collection for them at our shop.  I will contact them and see what we can do.  I will be doing the 10km.

[Thequickbrownfox]

I only found out about this race today. My daughter, who is getting married in September, told me today that she will be doing this with some of her six (6!!!) bridesmaids as part of her hen's weekend (go figure?? but hey if that's what they want to do). My future son-in-law wants to run it to but was looking for for male support so I am in. We will be doing the half.

On the subject of the race pack collection why not consider making a weekend of it on the beautiful sunshine coast. My elderly parents live at Noosa so I am right for this one but a couple of weeks ago I dragged the old caravan down the GC for the gold coast marathon. I gave myself a day to collect my pack and check out the race precinct and one of the Saturday race events. It was a great way to ease into the race by getting a feel for things the day before and I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the entire weekend.

And on a totally different note I think Campbell Newman, and for that matter all future political leaders, have Johnny Howard to thank...or curse...for setting a standard. I remember thinking back in the day how Johny was a wiley politician as he was seen by the media out and about power walking every morning around his electorate. At the time Kim Beazly was leader of the opposition. It occurred to me that no matter how talented Mr Beazley was Johnny Howard was sending a potent subliminal message.  A leader who is in control  of his physical fitness may have seemed to many to be  worlds above an alternate leader who seemed unable to deal with his obesity. The message may have been an unconscious one and may have been in reality very unfair to Kim Beazley but it was not unnoticed by our our premier at the time Peter Beattie. Ol' Pete was every bit as wiley as Johnny Howard so he mimicked the morning walking ritual.....and when Anna Bligh was being groomed for premier she would join Peter Beattie for the morning stroll.....But Anna Bligh was also a regular competitor in the GC half marathon whilst she was premier although last year she only did the 10k as she was coming back from an injury. I notice she did not compete this year after being voted out.

So now the standard is set and the bar has been raised high for Campbell Newman. He can't go backwards from here. Maybe in another generation's time all our political leaders will be of an Olympic long distant running standard as they all strive to outdo each other in an effort to impress us...... you have to admit it certainly puts a whole new spin on the expression "running for office"

[Unlikelyrunner]

Hey quickbrownfox, maybe people who live in qld don't want to spend their hard earned cash on a weekend on the sunny coast in winter?

See,  whilst this has potential,  its not an A class event.  People who save their money for 1 or 2 events a year probably do for the bigger events such as Melboune Mara,  Sydney Blackmores,  6 foot,  City to Surf,  etc.

Spendin$400-$500 on petrol,  race entry,  accom, and food for this weekend doesn't measure up.

[UnfitnessFanatic]

Thequickbrownfox, on 18 July 2012 - 09:54 AM, said:

fair call unlikelyrunner. I note from your profile that I am 10 years older than you so perhaps at a different stage in life. My kids have left home, house paid off and I am free to do as I dang well choose...10 years ago it would be a different story with a mortagage and 2 kids in high school and I thought very carefully about every dollar spent......

Notwithstanding, I still did the GC half very much on the cheap. Took my own caravan and paid $35 a night for 2 nights accom. and prepared all my own meals back at the van...whether I was there or home the cost of food was the same. Apart from $70 for accom and little extra for fuel to tow the van from north of Brissy to Nobby's Beach I think I only forked out for a can of coke and a sausage on a breadroll after the race....which a lot of people might do regardless if they were staying over the weekend or not. The point is I made it cost me next to nothing but still had a brilliant weekend.......I guess the other thing is that I am only aiming to do 4 or 5 events a year and to do as many of those as close to home as is possible at this stage...... so a couple of cheap weekends away are financially neither here nor there to me.

In fairness to ULR I dont think a cheap weekend away is neither here nor there to him as well, despite what assumptions you have made from looking at his age.  This is one of those so so events at this stage (being its first year) on a lot of peoples to do list.  So by making it a little difficult to get your racepack its very easy to draw a line through.  Of course there is always ways to get these race packs if you do really want to run in the event.

[Unlikelyrunner]

Thequickbrownfox, on 18 July 2012 - 09:54 AM, said:

fair call unlikelyrunner. I note from your profile that I am 10 years older than you so perhaps at a different stage in life. My kids have left home, house paid off and I am free to do as I dang well choose...10 years ago it would be a different story with a mortagage and 2 kids in high school and I thought very carefully about every dollar spent......

Notwithstanding, I still did the GC half very much on the cheap. Took my own caravan and paid $35 a night for 2 nights accom. and prepared all my own meals back at the van...whether I was there or home the cost of food was the same. Apart from $70 for accom and little extra for fuel to tow the van from north of Brissy to Nobby's Beach I think I only forked out for a can of coke and a sausage on a breadroll after the race....which a lot of people might do regardless if they were staying over the weekend or not. The point is I made it cost me next to nothing but still had a brilliant weekend.......I guess the other thing is that I am only aiming to do 4 or 5 events a year and to do as many of those as close to home as is possible at this stage...... so a couple of cheap weekends away are financially neither here nor there to me.

Thanks for the offer of the caravan.  I'll PM you my address and you can drop it down to me.  Oh, can you also leave the car with the towbar as mine doesnt have one.  I'll also get you to look after my kids while Im away, thanks, cause I cannot afford a weekend away for the family and dont want to be away for them for more than 1/2 a day (which is what it would be if I drove up, raced, drove back).

Edited by Unlikelyrunner, 19 July 2012 - 02:40 PM.

[BrizBlue]

I've been overseas and only just found out about the race kit collection... I entered very early as I like to support anything new like this and want it to be a success, but I wouldn't have bothered if I'd known I have to make two round trips from Brisbane to run one race (I haven't got a caravan but do have a mortgage and two kids).

I hope something comes of your offer to them Steve <fingers crossed smiley>

[BrizBlue]

I emailed the race director and he replied that they are working on a Brisbane kit collection a week out from the race, but no collection on the day. Yaaay.

[ripas]

Anyone know if there will be pacers ?

[flyingemu]

ripas, on 25 July 2012 - 02:11 PM, said:

Anyone know if there will be pacers ?

Yes, there are pacers. They are being sorted now.
I can tell you that I am a 4:15 marathon pacer, and Running Angel is down for 4:30.

[Hoary]

flyingemu, on 25 July 2012 - 06:08 PM, said:

ripas, on 25 July 2012 - 02:11 PM, said:

Anyone know if there will be pacers ?

Yes, there are pacers. They are being sorted now.
I can tell you that I am a 4:15 marathon pacer, and Running Angel is down for 4:30.

Fantastic mate...a 4.15 pacer would be good as its my first marathon ..would love to run with you...

[voiletmay]

Eeek... just read through this thread and realised about not being able to pick up race packs on the day.  Wish I'd taken notice of that before I booked our places months ago.

Does anyone know if there is Brisbane collection of race packs yet please?

Edit: this is what it says on the website:

Race Pack Collection Times
13/07/2012
The times for the collection of race packs has been confirmed.  The collection point is the official race hotel "The Mantra Mooloolaba".  Collections can be made during the following times;
Friday August 24, 4pm to 6pm & Saturday August 25, 9am to 5pm


So looks it will be two drives up the coast and back that weekend.. sigh!!

Thanks

Edited by voiletmay, 05 August 2012 - 04:56 PM.

[UnfitnessFanatic]

Brisbane Race Kit Collection - Sunday August 19
For those Brisbane entrants (and others who want to collect the race kit a week early) they will be available for collection from Intraining at 33 Park Rd Milton, from 9am to 1pm.  During this time we will also be taking entries (if event is not already sold out), cash or credit card payment will be available.


I've been talked into running the 10k with a friend.

[ripas]

Only three sleeps to go and not much action in this thread..........?

Im having a go at going sub 3 for the first time so I "hope" the hill doesnt take too much out of the legs.  Accommodation is booked and will be driving down on Saturday to pickup the race bags before they close!