Mackay Runners Shine At Gold Coast Festival

With a feast of events on offer over the weekend, many Mackay Road Runners turned their focus to the prestigious Asics Gold Coast Running Festival, featuring a full marathon (42.2km), half marathon (21.1km), 10km, 5km, and 2km kids’ races across two days of competition.

The Gold Coast was bustling with thousands of runners of all ages and experience levels, many chasing personal bests while others proudly completed their first races.

Several Mackay athletes tackled extraordinary challenges, with Paul MacKenzie, Corey Gould, Chris Brodie, and Brenda Windsor taking on the gruelling “double marathon” – a half marathon on Saturday, followed by the full marathon on Sunday – totalling an impressive 63.3 kilometres.

Mel Esau and Alana Knezevic both conquered their debut marathons in superb fashion, finishing in 4 hours 4 minutes and 3 hours 27 minutes respectively. Meanwhile, MacKenzie, Gould, and Brodie also added the 10km and 5km events to their schedules, with Gould even jumping into the 2km kids’ race for a light-hearted finish.

Paul MacKenzie posted outstanding results across all events, completing the double marathon in a combined time of 4:37:43 (half marathon: 1:25:57, full marathon: 3:11:45), along with a 42:48 in the 10km and a 20:34 in the 5km. MacKenzie said he enjoyed the challenge and was “feeling good, not too tired – just a little fatigued by the final event, the marathon... understandably!”

Also among the standout performers was Mick Vivian, continuing his fine form with an exceptional marathon time of 2:47:47. Other strong marathon performances came from Kay Nyenuh (3:24:39), Russell O’Hara (3:40:58), and local stalwarts Tim Magoffin and Matt Stevens.

In the junior ranks, Malachi Nyenuh impressed in the under-10s category, clocking a swift 20:57 in the 5km to secure sixth place in his age group. Adam Knezevic also ran a consistent 10km, finishing in 50:52 at a steady five-minute-per-kilometre pace.

Locally, the club’s Bluewater Quay Social Run drew a strong turnout despite humid and overcast conditions. Ross McDonnell led the field in the 5km event, with Judy Zahn the first female across the line. In the 10km, Ashley Miles and Andrew Short ran together and tackled the demanding Mt Bassett climb before finishing in sync.

A special thanks went to long-time club supporter and timekeeping expert Rohan Miles and his family, who once again provided invaluable assistance despite facing technical challenges on the day.

The club's next event, a 4pm Mystery Run, will take place this Sunday, with the location and details to be confirmed via Facebook and email during the week.

Club Captain and Life Member Jim Ford continues to offer weekly track sessions each Wednesday at 5.30pm at the Aquatic & Recreation Complex (ARC) in Ooralea. The sessions are free, with a $4 facility entry fee, and are open to runners of all abilities looking to improve speed, endurance, and recovery in a supportive, structured environment.

Gold Coast Marathoners who competed in all events over the weekend inc 42.2km, 21.2km, 10k, 5km with their silverware (left to right) Corey Gould (who also did the 2km); Chris Brodie and Paul MacKenzie (Below image by On The Run) Photos supplied

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Kay Nyenuh (centre) on his way to a 3hr 24 min marathon. (image by Steven Hayles)
Congratulations to Mel Esau completing her first Marathon in 4hrs 4 min at the prestigious Gold Coast Running Festival. (image by Steven Hayles)
Steven Hayles at the Gold Coast Kirra parkrun (image by Emily Hayles).
Mackay Road Runners legendary veteran runners (left to right) - Col Hardy, Judy Zahn and Stuart Sprott.
Approximately thirty runners and supporters had a great time at the Mackay Bluewater Quay social 5k, 10k run whilst a bevy of local runners were tackling the Asics Gold Coast Running Festival 42k, 21k, 10k, 5k and kids events.
The Miles family in support Ashley Miles whilst he’s out on the 10km course.
Jo Hughes joined past Mackay Road Runner, Karen Baker for a steady 5km before Karen leaves town next weekend.
Jeff Pearce and Kayla Waugh with timekeeper Rohan Miles (seated) whilst he arranges a test run on the results systems.

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