Two EMQ events are better for one for Brazilian running buddies

A special running bond that began during COVID will continue for Brazilian born runner Mari Groth when she tackles the China Airlines Half Marathon on the Gold Coast next month.

Fresh off competing together in the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Marathon in May, Groth will again have running partner and good friend Grazi Silva by her side for the 21.0975km journey on Saturday 5 July.

The pair first met in a running group during COVID and their passion for competing in events has since taken them to running festivals right across southeast Queensland.

“She's also from Brazil but we met here during COVID when everything was shut down,” said Groth.

“When they started opening the parks, she started training with me, so we did a few outdoor sessions in the park and then we started doing triathlons and then we did some running events.

“We always do something at the Gold Coast Marathon, whether it’s the 10k or the half marathon we always try to participate in it.

“It’s more enjoyable together, especially because I don't listen to music when I run. We run the same pace, we can talk if we get bored and we can push each other if we need some motivation.”

The duo have had a solid preparation for the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon after taking to the hills of Toowoomba and completing the challenging course in a time of 2 hours and 8 minutes - which should put them in good shape on Gold Coast’s fast, flat track.

“We weren't training as much for Toowoomba so we were happy with whatever time we ran,” said Groth.

“We were like ‘you know what, let's just enjoy it and see how we go.’

“It was beautiful. The town is beautiful, it's such a nice place. It's small and you can run the whole city.

“It was hard because there were a lot of hills and it was cold in the morning as well.”

As well as forming a key part of their lead-up towards the ASICS Gold Coast Half Marathon, Toowoomba also allowed the duo to continue their five-year association with the Gold Coast event.

After missing the initial deadline, they were able to take advantage of the two-event special bundle offered for both Toowoomba and Gold Coast events.

“We were bummed that we were not going to do it this year because we didn't sign up and then they were all sold out.

“Then when we saw the Toowoomba promo to get the registration for the Gold Coast, I was like, I just got an email, we’ve got to jump on that email.

“We usually run Gold Coast together, I think two years ago we did the half marathon on the Saturday and the 10km on the Sunday.”

As an honorary Gold Coaster, the EMF personal trainer said she loved the sense of community about her hometown event.

“It’s great because you just see so many people that you know,” she said.

“You see people cheering that you know from the gym or someone you've met somewhere in your life.

“And it's close to home, so you can just take the tram, and go there.

“I think the community that we have here on the Gold Coast and that vibe, that connection, I mean, that's the best.”