The Good Times Running Club get excited for next month’s Gold Coast Marathon with Events Management Queensland CEO, Cameron Hart and Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister and Member for Gaven, Meaghan Scanlon

One of the Gold Coast’s largest running clubs, the Good Times Running Club will be participating with a 50-strong team in the Gold Coast Marathon, supported by up to 150 others with massages, lollies and drinks along the course.

Team manager, Tiffany A’Bell says the club is a thriving, friendly group with members from the age of three upwards with a focus on having fun.

“We’re all about getting out, staying motivated and maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle in a fun and friendly environment,” she said.

“If you’re not having a great day, or a tough week at work, it’s just getting out, getting into that good mental state and staying healthy.”

The group welcomes all ages and abilities and Tiffany is training with her 13-year-old daughter, Aleksia who will be undertaking her very first 10km race in the Southern Cross University 10km Run on race weekend.

“It’s about being a good role model… encouraging the kids to get out there and challenge themselves,” she said.

With a growing number of kids in the group, the parents have stepped up to guide younger runners, sharing their knowledge on running techniques, healthy eating and rest.

The group was formed last October over a communal commitment to running, friendship and a good cup of coffee and have been putting rubber to the road since.

The club participates in other marathons and distances across Queensland and the world, but favours the fast, flat and scenic course as their pinnacle event each year.

The local support for the runners throughout the Gold Coast Marathon is also important to the club.

“The best part about the race is the spectators. Hedges Avenue is incredible,” Tiffany said.

“There is not one section of the course that does not have spectators and that really helps us move along the course.”

Tiffany offers sage advice to anyone taking up running.

“Get out there, you never know unless you try,” she said.

The 41^st edition Gold Coast Marathon will be held on 6-7 July 2019. It will feature eight races including the Gold Coast Marathon (IAAF Gold Label Road Race), Wheelchair Marathon, ASICS Half Marathon, Wheelchair 15km, Southern Cross University 10km Run, Gold Coast Airport Fun Run, Garmin 4km Junior Dash and Garmin 2km Junior Dash.

The Gold Coast Marathon is organised by Events Management Queensland, a major event management company wholly owned by the Queensland Government as part of Tourism and Events Queensland.