Introduction

I love to run but I am not built to run. I had dreamt of participating in overseas road run events despite my usual lousy timings. I started my first Full Marathon race in year 2007 and had "attained" timings ranging from 5:24hr to 6:45hr. With such timings, I would have difficulties passing the more stringent cut-off times in overseas races. I could only dream....

As I watched my wife deteriorating with her illness, it taught me one important lesson - that we should accomplish dreams when we are still able and fit. Hence, I decided to start chasing my dream. The first step - by participating in the Gold Coast Airport Marathon (GCAM) 2014!

Objectives

I had set 2 objectives for GCAM 2014. These objectives governed my training/game plan for the marathon. My objectives were :

1. To better my Personal Best timing by 30 mins (i.e. 5hr completion).
2. To enjoy a cooling 42km route that's supposed to be relatively flat and scenic.

Accomplishments

At the end of the marathon, I was happy to have achieved the 2 objectives that I set before the run.

1. I completed the run with a net timing of 4:17h. Comparing this to my PB attained in Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2013 (5:24h), I had bettered it by a good 1hr 7mins!!! This result actually exceeded my targeted 30 minutes....phew!
   
   
2. The weather was generally COLD-COOL-CHILL during the different phases of the run. The Full Marathon race started off at an estimated 6 degree celsius in the early morning and progressed to about 18 degree celsius by noon. This cool temperature was perfect for running as I need not waste too much energy to cool my body during the run. The volunteers and race marshals were very friendly and enthusiastic. Many were serving drinks and cheering us at the same time. As we were running through the residential estates, we saw many residents lining along the roadsides to cheer passionately for the runners (the kids even lined up by the side to give us High-5s !). It was a total family affair to not only participate, but to cheer! This was extremely exhilarating and motivating! I was recharged every time I ran past these enthusiastic supporters....and Yes! I achieved my objective to enjoy the race! 

Of course my finishing net time of 4:17:10hr was still a far cry compared to the many faster runners. I deem it a successful run so long as my 2 objectives were met.

Succes Factor 1 - Conditioning

I did a total of 5 condition runs through out our stay in Australia. Two runs were done in Sydney which was super windy and much colder than in Gold Coast. 3 were done in Gold Coast : 

• A reconnaissance walk from Surfers Paradise to race start point at BroadWater Parkland (9km). 
• A 10km run along the beach at Surfers Paradise 3 days before race. 
• The last one was the 10km Southern Cross University 10km Run that I accompanied my wife a day before the Full Marathon. 

All these runs helped me to condition myself against the terrain and weather for the actual Full Marathon race.

Succes Factor 2 - Dedicated On-site Support

There are always uncertainties when running in a foreign land. My uncertainties were minimised as my sidekick a.k.a wife was on-site to provide me with seamless logistics support despite the fact that she was feeling unwell after her own 10km run. She had a swollen arm (swelled so badly that she could not even remove her watch from her wrist) and running fever that morning. 

Upon her insistence, we went to the race precinct together. The temperature was a tad too cold that morning. The event emcee was announcing that it was at 6 degree celsius feeling like 2 degree celsius over the PA system. 

As my wife was my mobile porter for the day, I was able to wear my windbreaker and gloves to block the wind chill till the last minute before I deposited them with her (instead of baggage deposit counters). Also, I was able to change my running gear from minimalist mode to 'warm' mode at the very last moment. 

(Left: Before Race, Center: Minimalist Mode, Right:Warm Mode)

Personal Race Data

Conclusion

It had been a satisfying and fulfilling experience to run the Gold Coast Airport Marathon 2014. I will definitely miss the generally flat and scenic terrain, coupled with a positive running ambience aroused by the organiser, runners, volunteers and cheer groups. And, the crazy cheers coming from my wife at few distance markers. I had to admire her stamina to catch me at different points of the route!

Would I join GCAM 2015? Who knows? I am certainly tempted....

GCAM 14 (Part 7A) : Technical Analysis for the Full Marathon Run - 9 Jul 14

Source :

• http://tiktok.biz/goldcoastmarathon/2014
• http://goldcoastmarathon.com.au/enter/

Background

The 36th Gold Coast Airport Marathon (42km) 2014 was held on 6 Jul (Sunday). It claims to have a route that is fast, flat, scenic and with technical excellence. With such claims, it attracts increasing interests amongst Singaporeans year after year, making it one of the most popular runs away from home.

Team Singapore taking a finishing shot after the Full Marathon (Source : RunSociety Facebook Page)

Statistics by Gun Times

5,617 people participated in the full marathon with a total of 4,924 participants having completed the race within the cut-off time of 6:30 min. 

A total of 3,247 (out of 3,709) male runners and 1,677 (out of 1908) female runners completed. Unfortunately,  693 runners (462 male & 231 female) were disqualified due to DNS( Did Not Start) / DNF (Did Not Finish). 

The average finisher time range was in the range of 4:00h to 4:30h ( i.e. Average Finish Times is 4:17:43 h).

 

Statistics by Age Groups

Categorising the race results using age group reveals the following findings :

 

• Oldest age group completing the race was M75-79 and F65-69 (Note: 2 Male Runners in Age Group M75-79 were disqualified).
• Despite the cut-off timing of 6:30 (+10 min start line allowance), the total disqualification for the race was 12%. Majority of disqualifications came from M30-M34 (75 pax), M35-M39 (91 pax), M40-M44 (92 pax), F30-F34 (48 pax), F35-F39 (54 pax) and F40-F44 (39 pax).

 

 

 

I shared the technical data In this Part A of my post, stay tune for Part B on my personal account on the Full Marathon run and then Part C - my wife's perspective as a supporter and spectator. I hope this Part A to C coverage would give you more insights from this wonderful experience we had.

 

GCAM 14 (Part 4) - Gold Coast Weather

 

It is now 3 days before the Gold Coast Airport Marathon 2014! As part of my running rituals, I went for a 10 km condition run this morning with the actual gears I intended to wear on race day. Upon  completing my run, I  concluded that my gears would be appropriate for GCAM this Sunday. 

The only consideration that might impact my run would be the 1-2 hours wait at the start line (hoping that wind breeze would not impact core temperature too much before the run). I concur that we should prepare disposable poncho and gloves during the early morning wait in the wind chill.

Anyway, see below for some data/information :

Weather

<7am - it felt like 12-13 degree celsius but wind chill made it felt like 10-12 degree celsius.

>7am - it felt like 15-17 degree celsius but the sun made it felt like 17-19 degree celsuis.

 

My Tested and Proven Running Gears

 

• Nike Running Shirt + 2XU Compression Top (as base layer)
• Heads Shorts + Skins Compression Shorts (as base layer)
• Nike Visor
• SpiBelt
• Garmin GPS Watch
• Newton Gravity Running Shoes + SAF Socks

 

 

 

My Running Data

 

"Shoot & Run" Photos

 

I hope this will be a meaningful share with fellow runners. Feeling excited to meet you all this weekend.

 

 

 

GCAM 14 (Part 3) : GCAM 14 Race Precinct Location

Our second day in Gold Coast. We have decided to take it easy today. Instead of the usual sight-seeing, we took a 4.5-km (9-km to-and-fro) slow walk to check out the Race Precinct (opposite the Australia Fair Shopping Centre). We started from "The Esplanade" road that is near our hotel. We understand that this is part of the full marathon route as we saw many road closure signage along the way. It is indeed a scenic route.

The weather was fine and shine. We had to remove our coats after a short while.

 

 

It appears that the organiser is all set for the event. The streets are getting more crowded with the influx of runners from other countries and other parts of Australia.  Many GCAM banners and signage have already been mounted on lamp posts.

 

We located the race precinct near the Anzac Park. Wow! The organiser already has all their tentages set up in advance. We could not resist taking some pictures as spoiler for fellow runners.

This is what you can look out for on actual race day.

That's the event stage behind us.

Look at our photos and you will know that Gold Coast has an almost ideal weather for avid photographers. Do go back with your cameras as there are some interesting sights for photo-takings.

 

 

By the way, the temperature fluctuates quite drastically from early morning to late morning. It does get very cold in the early mornings. Be prepared.

 

 

 

GCAM 14 (Part 1) : Pre-departure Brief for Gold Coast Airport Marathon 2014

Sources:

1. http://goldcoastmarathon.com.au/

2. Briefing slides provided by Tourism & Events Queensland (TEQ) on 14 Jun 2014

3. https://www.facebook.com/RunForHopeSG

We were unable to travel since Rachel's cancer diagnosis. The opportunity arose when we participated in the Run for Hope 2013. With grace and gratitude, we emerged as the lucky winner for our race bib creations and won a 3-night stay at Four Seasons Sydney. 

Being mindful that Rachel's cancer medications will cause her blood clog in the cabin pressure during a flight, we were initially hesitant about the trip. One cannot imagine our joy when Rachel's oncologist gave us the green light to travel! Since then, we were determined to make good use of this valuable prize! For us, it couldn't be more meaningful than timing our trip with the Gold Coast Marathon! 

And Yes! Gold Coast here we come... right after our Sydney's stay!

The race bibs that won us our stay with Four Seasons Sydney

Rachel and I attended the pre-departure briefing conducted by TEQ last Saturday, 14 Jun at IRAS Auditorium. It was a good brief with many helpful information and sound advices given to the participants. Singapore has an encouraging 340 participants in this race! 

For those who missed the briefing and are keen to find out more. You can read the extracts provided by TEQ below :

 

Gold Coast Airport Marathon Pre-Departure Briefing

Background

The race is held in one of Australia’s most popular  holiday destination – Gold Coast! The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is held annually, typically on the first weekend every July. In 2014, it will be held on Saturday, 5th July & Sunday, 6th July. 

The 2014 event will see 30,000 (est) people from 58  countries challenge themselves towards a personal challenge, health and fitness goals and to participate in a vibrant community event. This included over 340 runners from Singapore. In its 36th year, the Gold Coast Airport Marathon is recognised  worldwide for its fast, flat and scenic course and technical excellence. It is an IAAF Road Race GOLD LABEL (Australian first!).

Categories for GCAM

Refer to Cut Off Policy for cut off details.

Race Routes

10 Km Route

Half Marathon Route

Full Marathon Route

Pacers Information

Refer to Pacer Details for more details on pacers

Race Precinct

Singapore Runners' RV Point after the Race (Around Tent 8, 9 &10)

Recommended Race Gears

• Disposable gloves (Breathable type)
• Raincoat/ Poncho
• Scarf/ Buff
• Sunglasses, Caps/Visor 
• Packing of gels, electrolyte tablets, other food items
• Compression Sleeves, Pants

Other points to Note

• For the independent travellers, please remember to apply your visa to Australia via Electronic Travel Authority.
• Do declare your supplements and energy gels when you are entering the country.
• You may wish to download the Asics GCAM Apps into your smart phone (IOS or Android).
• You may consider watching the series of GCAMS Videos (39 videos)

We are all excited and certainly looking forward to our trip next week!