Anne Boyd crossing the finish line at the 2016 Gold Coast Airport Marathon. Photo: Marathon Photos

By Olivia Edwards

Composer, musical academic, professor and marathon runner are all titles held by 71-year-old Anne Boyd from Pyrmont in Sydney.

A professor at the University of Sydney for 27 years and approaching retirement, nothing is slowing Anne down, with a bucket list aspiration of completing six major marathons by the age of 80.

This year will be her second full Gold Coast Airport Marathon over 42.195km in addition to her 10km at the event in 2014 and 5.7km in 2013 and 2015.

Hoping for a better finish time than last year when she clocked 5 hours 45 minutes 12 seconds, Anne has been training hard to achieve this goal.

With a team of experts and a support group behind her, there is no shortage of motivation.

“I have a team that supports me but at 71 they don’t push me – usually the reverse is necessary,” Anne said.

“I need restraint!”

With her daughter and her partner both participating at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon this year, this provides Anne with further support and encouragement.

Originally starting to run in 2013 at the age of 67 as part of a weight loss program, she began to love the sport and hasn’t stopped since.

“I am addicted to the joy of running – fun, fitness and friendship are the byproducts.

“Building to a marathon is a long and slow progression with plenty of setbacks but I have now completed three!”

Training all year with the Gold Coast Airport Marathon as her goal, Anne’s schedule is nothing short of impressive.

With a combination of long runs, cross training, swimming, pilates, strength training and yoga, Anne is determined to achieve her goal.

“I plan to train or cross train every day and normally average 50km a week.”

Making a trip out to the event with her family every year makes it enjoyable, as well as the joy of giving advice to other participants in the event.

“We love the Gold Coast Airport Marathon and come as a family every year, blending our running with a few recovery days on the beautiful Gold Coast.

“It’s a great course with lovely scenery and loads of community support along the way.”

27,000 runners will take part in the 2017 Gold Coast Airport Marathon.

The 39^th annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon will be held on Saturday 1 and 2 July.

Set to attract more than 27,00 participants of all ages and abilities, this year’s race program will feature the Gold Coast Airport Marathon, Wheelchair Marathon, ASICS Half Marathon, Wheelchair 15km, Southern Cross University 10km Run, 5.7km Challenge, Zespri 4km Junior Dash and Zespri 2km Junior Dash.

For the fourth year, the Gold Coast Airport Marathon has been awarded an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Road Race Gold Label.

RUN #GCAM17 WITH ANNE