Desperate dash to join sold-out Coast marathon

RUNNERS from around the world have taken to social media in a desperate bid to source entry to the sold-out Gold Coast Marathon.

People caught out when entries for this year’s 42.195km full marathon sold out on Friday have flooded the event’s Facebook page in a last-ditch bid to find someone to sell them their place in the worldrenowned race.

Some are so desperate to secure entry they’re offering to pay more than the original entry fee of $165 (Australia and NZ) or $185 (international) while others say they have already booked their flights to the Coast and accommodation for the 2018 marathon weekend on June 30 and July 1.

Boosted by a rise in overseas entries, organisers of the 40th anniversary event expect a record field of 30,000 people to compete across the weekend’s program of eight races, including more than 6500 runners in the full marathon.

Race transfers and changes are free but must be completed the day before the race. Entrants can update registration details online.

“I desperately looking for an entry for FULL MARATHON – have been training for 1-2 years now and want to run in memory of my father,” Brisbane woman Sai Malathi Siritharan posted on the event’s Facebook page.

“Willing to pay a little bit extra $$$ – PLEASE if you know anyone let them know!!!”

Brett Freeman said he had been training for the event and was happy to pay more.

“Like others I have been training for months and am devastated I missed the entries before it sold out. If anyone has one available happy to pay full price or more,” he said in a post on the event Facebook page.

Events Management Queensland CEO Cameron Hart said the full marathon sellout highlighted the event’s growing appeal as a must-contest race.