Bruce Hargreaves from Mount Tamborine will be one of the first inductees into the new Gold Coast Marathon Legends Club

By Jasmine Rolfe

Runners who have competed in more than 10 Gold Coast Airport Marathons will now be eligible for the new Gold Coast Marathon Legends Club to recognise and honour the achievements of ‘long-running’ competitors.

The club will offer inductees the opportunity to relax post-race in the Legends Clubhouse located at finish corner, a Legends singlet to purchase and a complimentary post-race massage amongst other rewards.

Inaugural inductee into the Club, Bruce Hargreaves of Mount Tamborine, said the formation of the club was well received amongst marathon runners.

Having competed in 18 Gold Coast Airport Marathons and seven 10km Runs, Bruce has truly earned the title of legend and is looking forward to meeting other members of the club during race weekend.

“I know there is lots of enthusiasm amongst other Gold Coast Marathon runners who have done 10 or more,” Bruce said.

“This club will draw us all together, as many of us have never met each other, and the new singlets will give us ‘recognition’ during the race.”

The 64-year-old won’t be slowing down anytime soon and said that one of his favourite marathon memories was during the Gold Coast Airport Marathon in 1989.

“I ran 2:47:02 which was my fastest marathon ever,” Bruce said.

“I just love running and the Gold Coast Airport Marathon is my local race.”

Making the 10 Year Club is an amazing achievement, however it is no easy feat as Bruce explains.

“If you are stepping up from a half to a full, it’s twice as far, but four times as hard,” he said.

“Just make sure it is fun!”

The Gold Coast Legends Club inductee also shared some guidance and home truths about preparing for the event, but acknowledges the feeling of accomplishment upon completing the marathon.

“The toughest bit isn’t physically running the 42km, as provided you have done the training, that’s the easy bit,” Bruce said.

“The hardest bit is taking the leap and signing up to enter and then the actually standing on the start line.

“As you go past the 41km sign coming down the Gold Coast Highway and enter the club tent area, the noise and the cheering is some of the loudest at any Australian event I’ve participated in.

“Then you take that left turn with 250 metres to go into the finish chute, it gets even louder.

“And when you take the final right hand turn onto the blue carpet between the grandstands to the finish and the race commentators call out your name, you hit that finish line and they put a medal around your neck, you become a marathon runner and the feeling is second to none.”

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