Sunshine Coast Marathon

Location: Queensland
Country: Australia
Website: https://sunshinecoastmarathon.com.au/
2025 Marathon Date: 03/08/2025
2026 Marathon Date: 02/08/2026
Winning Time 2025: 02:14:05
% Sub-3s: 5–10%
# Sub-3s: 100–499
Total Runners: 1k–3k

The Sunshine Coast Marathon is one of Australia’s standout winter racing events, held in the coastal region of Queensland. Known for its fast, flat course and stunning oceanfront scenery, the race has developed a reputation as a serious PB venue — especially for those targeting a fast time ahead of the southern hemisphere’s spring marathon season or northern hemisphere autumn campaigns.

The race takes place in early August, which means cool morning temperatures, light winds and low humidity — ideal conditions for sustained effort. The course itself has an out-and-back element and is largely free of sharp turns or major elevation changes. This makes it not only fast, but also easy to pace, especially for runners working to tight splits over 42.2km. Aid stations are well placed, and there’s enough crowd support to create a positive race-day atmosphere without the intensity of a major city event.

The Sunshine Coast Marathon is part of a larger running festival, with shorter distances on offer across the weekend. This gives the event a lively feel, drawing in families, locals and travelling athletes. Despite its relaxed, community-oriented spirit, the marathon attracts strong domestic elites and a serious club-level field. It’s not uncommon to see multiple runners breaking key thresholds like sub-2:30 or sub-3.

For sub-3 marathoners, Sunshine Coast is a race that delivers. It provides the conditions, competition and clarity required for a breakthrough performance. There’s no room to blame the course or the weather — if you come in fit and focused, the opportunity is there. Runners regularly cite it as one of the best-prepared events in Australia, with seamless logistics and great post-race hospitality.

Whether you're targeting a time, tuning up for a bigger goal race or looking for a midwinter challenge in beautiful surroundings, the Sunshine Coast Marathon offers a compelling balance of performance and pleasure. It’s a race that respects ambition while delivering a laid-back, sunlit racing experience that feels distinctly Australian.