Sunshine Coast Marathon

The Race

History

The Sunshine Coast Marathon was first run in 2012, the year Atlas Events started on the Sunshine Coast as a one-event company. The race grew up around Alexandra Headland, and its results archive runs without a break from 2012, with a virtual event standing in for the race in 2020. Atlas says the festival has raised more than A$2 million for local charities and organisations.

For most of its history the marathon was run as repeated loops of the beachfronts at Alexandra Headland, Mooloolaba and Maroochydore. In 2019 the festival’s half marathon received an IAAF Bronze Label and hosted the Australian Half Marathon Championships; the marathon itself has never held a label.

The biggest change came in 2025, when the marathon moved to a single lap north to Mudjimba, designed, the organiser says, for fewer turnarounds, better flow and room for a larger field. Atlas keeps separate records for the two layouts. On the single lap, Ryan Gregson set the men’s record of 2:14:05 in 2025 and Beth McKenzie the women’s record of 2:37:26 in 2026, the year Brett Robinson won the men’s race in 2:15:45. The multi-loop records stand at 2:16:18 by Saeki Makino from 2019 and 2:37:07 by Milly Clark from 2024. The race is AIMS certified and sits in early August, in the south-east Queensland winter.

The Atlas Majors medal

The Sunshine Coast is where Atlas Events began, and it is one of the four marathons in the Atlas Majors, with Hobart, Brisbane and Cairns. Finish the marathon at all four and Atlas sends a separate Atlas Majors medal. There is no time limit and no required order: after the fourth finish, runners submit a link to each official result through the application form on the Atlas Events website, and Atlas verifies them and posts the medal.

The organiser confirms that every past Sunshine Coast finish counts, including those on the old multi-loop course, which helps anyone who ran here before the series existed. In 2027 the race closes a Queensland winter run of three, three weeks after Cairns; that short gap is the hardest part of collecting all four in one year.

The course

The race starts at 06:00 on Alexandra Parade beside Buhk Family Park and finishes 340 m further south on the same road. In between it runs one lap: south to Mooloolaba and back over the headland, north through Maroochydore and along the Maroochy River on Bradman Avenue, across the Sunshine Motorway to Pacific Paradise, Twin Waters and Mudjimba, where runners U-turn on Mudjimba Esplanade at 25 km, then back the same way with a short detour along Bradman Avenue before returning through Maroochydore and Cotton Tree.

The organiser calls it predominantly flat, and the SRTM profile below agrees: the whole course sits between 1 m and 20 m. The only rise worth the name is the headland itself, 12 m between km 5 and km 6 on the way back from Mooloolaba to the high point of the day, followed by a drift of 16 m back down to the river at km 13. The other two climbs are the Sunshine Motorway bridge over the Maroochy River, crossed northbound after km 14 and southbound after km 31. SRTM reads a bridge deck at water level, so the chart does not show them; on the road they are short ramps with the widest views of the day.

The surface is sealed road. The long stretches around Twin Waters and Mudjimba, from about km 17 to km 31, are the most exposed to wind and the least crowded.

Km 0 to 7: south to Mooloolaba and back. The gun goes before sunrise and the course heads south, over the low shoulder of the headland at km 1 and down Venning Street into Mooloolaba, turning on Brisbane Road at km 3.7. The way back climbs the headland properly, 12 m between km 5 and km 6 to the day’s high point of 20 m, then drops to pass the start area at km 7. It is crowded and the air is at its coolest: settle here, do not bank time.

Km 7 to 13.5: Maroochydore and the river. The route runs north past Cotton Tree into Maroochydore, along The Esplanade at km 10, then west on Duporth Avenue and Bradman Avenue beside the Maroochy River, losing a gentle 16 m between km 6 and km 13. The first cut-off is at the Denna Street and Maroochy Waters Drive junction, 13.5 km, at 08:01. It only troubles walkers, but it shows the checkpoints are enforced.

Km 13.5 to 25: over the motorway to Mudjimba. The course joins the Sunshine Motorway, crosses the river bridge north to Pacific Paradise, and turns east along David Low Way and Ocean Drive through Twin Waters to the coast at Mudjimba. This is the quietest and most exposed part of the race, and the wind on the way out tells you how the way back will feel. The U-turn on Mudjimba Esplanade at 25 km closes at 09:45.

Km 25 to 34: the long return. Back along Ocean Drive past Nojoor Road at 28.5 km (cut-off 10:16) and over the motorway bridge again after km 31. The field is spread out and the finish still a long way off, which makes this the stretch where marathons tend to come apart; eat before you need to. Runners at the back should know that from 5 hours 30 minutes on the motorway return, remaining runners may be moved onto the cycle path as the roads reopen. The short detour west along Bradman Avenue brings up the 34 km checkpoint at Denna Street (cut-off 11:06).

Km 34 to 42.2: Maroochydore to Alexandra Headland. The course comes back along the river to The Esplanade and First Avenue at 39 km (cut-off 11:51), through Cotton Tree and south along Alexandra Parade to the finish. Crowds rebuild over the last three kilometres, with half marathon finishers and families gathered around Buhk Family Park.

Chip timing is included in the bib. Timing-mat locations and any shortest-route line have not been published.

From 5 hours 30 minutes elapsed on the Sunshine Motorway return, runners may be moved onto the cycle path as roads reopen.

Course Map

The map shows the 2025 route, the first year of the single lap, with the start and finish, both turnarounds and every cut-off checkpoint. Tap a marker for details, and scrub the slider or press play to move the orange marker along the course with the elevation profile beneath it.

Pacers

The Ray White pace runners cover 3:00, 3:15, 3:30, 3:45, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, 4:45, 5:00 and 6:00. They wear yellow singlets and carry helium balloons marked with their finish time. Start zones are organised by expected pace. The People Carrying the Balloon explains what a pacer manages over those hours, and how to become one.

What to wear

August mornings on the Sunshine Coast are often around 12 to 13°C, and the organiser asks runners to arrive by 05:00 for a 06:00 start, so there is an hour to stand around before dawn. A light old top keeps that hour comfortable, especially if a westerly is blowing off the land.

The day warms quickly once the sun is up, towards a long-term August maximum of about 22°C. Dress for the race, not the wait: singlet or T-shirt and shorts for most runners. The route has little shade around Twin Waters and Mudjimba, and anyone out beyond four hours finishes in late-morning sun, so sunscreen and a cap are worth having. August is normally one of the drier months, though August 2026 was wet; the race-week forecast beats the average.

Entry

Entry is open, with no ballot and no qualifying time, and prices rise through four releases. The 2027 ladder has not been published yet; the organiser is taking early-access sign-ups. For 2026 the marathon ran from A$200 (super early bird, from mid-October) through A$220 and A$240 to A$260 (late, from mid-June), roughly £106 to £138 at A$1 = £0.53. Expect a similar pattern, with the lowest price in the first release.

Entry includes a race bib, personalised if you register by late June, a timing tag, the finisher’s medal and an event T-shirt while stocks last. The minimum age is 17 on race day, and the marathon has a 6 hour 20 minute cutoff from gun time with five interim checkpoints. The organiser says the course is AIMS certified, so times are eligible for World Marathon Majors qualifying standards.

Teams registering together get a 10 per cent discount. The festival has supported local charities since its first year, with fundraising through the official charity page. Transfer, refund and deferral terms for 2027 are not yet published, and Atlas policies differ between its four races, so read the Sunshine Coast terms before booking non-refundable travel.

Fast Runner / GFA Standards

There is no good-for-age route. Elite runners apply through Atlas’s elite assistance programme; the Sunshine Coast standards are on the official site. Prize money is equal for men and women. Elite waivers and pacing are two of the routes to a free place set out in How to Race Without Paying the Entry Fee.

Race Weekend

Expo

The race village is at Buhk Family Park beside the beach at Alexandra Headland, where the organiser runs baggage, toilets, information and the expo. In 2026 there was no race-day bib collection: runners collected before race day, and Australian residents could pay A$15 to have the bib posted, with a June deadline.

Plan to be on the coast by Saturday. The 2027 collection days, hours, ID requirements and proxy rules will be in the athlete guide. Staying in Alexandra Headland, Mooloolaba or southern Maroochydore keeps collection to a walk.

Getting to the Start

Walk if you can. From Alexandra Headland the start is minutes away; from Mooloolaba and southern Maroochydore most hotels are 15 to 30 minutes along the coast. For anyone further out, the organiser runs a ticketed Park N Ride shuttle from five pickup points, dropping about 200 m from the start; book it in advance. Sunshine Coast Council runs free, supervised bike and scooter parking at the race village for runners who pre-register.

Be at the precinct by 05:00. Buhk Family Park has bag storage, toilets and information; bag size and tag rules are in the athlete guide. Keep the warm-up short, since an hour at the precinct is already a long time on your feet. After the finish come the medal and finish-area refreshments, with NU Spring Water as the post-race water partner. Walking back is easiest for anyone staying nearby. Park N Ride users should check the return boarding point before race day; taxis struggle to reach the precinct while roads are closed.

A 06:00 gun and a 05:00 arrival mean breakfast at about 03:00, hours before any hotel buffet opens, so bring your own. Race Morning Fuel covers what to eat and how to manage it from a hotel room.

Nutrition on Course

FIXX Nutrition supplies the course: FIXX Fuel X Tropical electrolyte drink, and FIXX Gel X Pro energy gels in Lemon Sorbet and Raspberry Fizz at selected stations. Station positions are marked on the official course map; a kilometre-by-kilometre list has not been published. If you rely on a gel schedule, carry your own for the exposed stretch between the river and Mudjimba. A personal bottle service for non-elite runners has not been confirmed.

Spectating

The finish precinct at Buhk Family Park is the best single place to watch, and the single lap adds a bonus there: runners come back past the start at about km 7 after the loop to Mooloolaba. The organiser also names Cotton Tree and the Sunshine Motorway bridge crossings as vantage points. Beyond that the course spreads across Maroochydore, Twin Waters and Mudjimba, and road closures make it hard to move between distant points quickly.

Itinerary A: Alexandra Headland and Maroochydore

Watch the start on Alexandra Parade and stay for the pass back by the start at km 7. Walk north along the coast to Maroochydore, about 30 minutes, for the return along The Esplanade at km 39, then walk back for the finish.

Itinerary B: the northern turn

Travel to Mudjimba before the closures, watch the U-turn on Mudjimba Esplanade at km 25 and the return past Ocean Drive and Nojoor Road at km 28.5, then head back once roads allow. This needs a car or a pre-booked taxi and risks missing the finish.

Itinerary C: the late-race double

Stand near Denna Street and Bradman Avenue for km 34, move towards The Esplanade and First Avenue for km 39 if pedestrian routes allow, and carry on to the finish at Alexandra Headland.

Post-Race Food

Start with the finish-area food and water. Most runners finish mid-morning, and the flat strip between Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba holds plenty of cafés for a proper brunch after a shower; keep it within a short walk of the hotel. For dinner, Cicchetti at 156 Alexandra Parade is a few minutes from the finish and opens on Sunday evenings.

Where to Stay

The start and finish are 340 m apart on Alexandra Parade in Alexandra Headland. The Sunshine Coast is a region of separate towns, not a city, and its public transport is bus-based, so book by locality.

Alexandra Headland

Alexandra Headland is the obvious choice: the start, finish and race village are on its beachfront, and many rooms are within minutes of bag drop. Saturday nights are moderate. Ocean views and race weekend push prices up.

Mooloolaba

Mooloolaba, just south, is the best all-round holiday base, with a denser strip of restaurants and resorts along its Esplanade. The start is 1 to 3 km away depending on the hotel, walkable but adding distance after the finish. Saturday nights are livelier.

Maroochydore and Cotton Tree

Maroochydore, to the north, has apartments, shopping and the river. Southern Maroochydore is walkable to the start; further north and inland you need the Park N Ride or a taxi booked before the closures, as the course runs through Maroochydore twice. Cotton Tree, where the river meets the sea, is quieter than Mooloolaba and suits self-catering families; check the walking route against the closure map.

Twin Waters and Mudjimba

Twin Waters and Mudjimba sit on the northern part of the course, several kilometres from the start. They suit a wider holiday and put supporters near the km 25 turn, but runners need the Park N Ride or an early taxi.

Caloundra

Caloundra, at the southern end of the coast, is a drive from the start and a poor race-morning base. The organiser’s 2026 hotel partner was in Caloundra; weigh any race rate against a 05:00 arrival.

Recommended hotels

Booking timeline

With open entry and rising price releases, book a refundable room in Alexandra Headland when you enter. There is plenty of accommodation across the region, but the rooms within a short walk of Alexandra Parade are limited, and August falls in whale season: Visit Sunshine Coast gives the season as June to November, with July and August usually seeing the most humpbacks.

Sunshine Coast Airport at Marcoola is about 15 minutes by road from Alexandra Headland. Brisbane Airport is the main international gateway, about an hour’s drive south, with door-to-door transfers serving both. The race partners with SIXT for a 15 per cent car hire discount, useful for the trips below. The coast is nine hours ahead of the UK in August, a difficult eastward shift; Beating Jet Lag for Marathon Tourists sets out how to start adjusting before you fly.

See & Do

Mooloolaba holds most of what is worth doing the day after the race, all on the flat and within a few kilometres of the finish. Australia Zoo is a longer day inland.

Mooloolaba Beach and Esplanade

2 km (1.2 miles) from finish. A flat beachfront walk south of the finish, with cafés along the Esplanade: the easiest recovery walk on the coast.

Whale watching from Mooloolaba

3 km (1.9 miles) from finish. August is the heart of whale season. Boats leave from The Wharf Mooloolaba; the trip is seated but can be tiring in a swell. The full morning is under After the Race.

SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast

3 km (1.9 miles) from finish. An aquarium at The Wharf Mooloolaba, mostly indoors, which suits sore legs or a wet day.

Point Cartwright

5 km (3.1 miles) from finish. A headland lookout south of Mooloolaba across the river mouth. Keep it to the short walk to the lookout.

Australia Zoo

30 km (19 miles) by road from finish. A large wildlife park inland at Beerwah, which means a long day of walking and standing. Better two or more days after the race.

After the Race

August is peak whale season on the Sunshine Coast and the Fraser Coast, with mild winter days and cool evenings. The trips below start with a morning at sea off Mooloolaba and run as far north as K’gari.