Gold Coast Marathon veteran promoted to race director

McDonald started with Gold Coast Events as it was known in 2003 in a short-term contract position before taking on a full-time role in Athlete Services in 2004 and becoming the General Manager Event Services in 2014.

Two decades later with a couple of COVID induced marathon cancellations under his belt he’s about to embark on his 19th delivery of the iconic event with probably the best elite field in the Gold Coast Marathon’s history.

Reflecting on his years with Gold Coast Events and its evolution to become Events Management Queensland, McDonald said there was so many elements that he enjoyed about his career, from working with the dedicated team at EMQ to building relationships with the elite athletes, the athlete managers and other marathon organisers from around the globe.

He recounts fondly the 2014 Gold Coast Marathon when Silah Limo (2:09:14) broke Robert de Castella’s 1982 Australian all-comers record (2:09:18) and delivered the event’s first sub 2:10 result as something he’ll always remember in a career that has enjoyed many highlights.

He recognises it has been a long time since an Aussie topped the Gold Coast Marathon podium (with Lee Troop in 2006 and Lauren Shelley in 2009) but is looking forward to more international athletes returning and appreciates their support after the COVID cancellations.

The 2023 Gold Coast Marathon powered by Chery weekend will feature the 42.195km marathon, the CPL Wheelchair Marathon, ASICS Half Marathon, Southern Cross University 10km Run, CPL Wheelchair 10km, Gold Coast Airport 5km Fun Run and the Health and Wellbeing Queensland 2km and 4km Junior Dashes.

The Gold Coast Double 63.3km event – contested by hardy runners competing in both Saturday’s half and Sunday’s full marathon – will also be contested.