It’s time for Gold Coaster Jackson Elliott to step out of the shadows of the Gold Coast Airport Marathon.

This weekend, at 6.30am on Saturday 5 July, the 32-year-old has his chance to race into the spotlight via the Southern Cross University 10km Run.

A well credentialed performer on the national distance stage, Elliott is no stranger to the 10km event at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon. Year after year he has tested himself against some of the biggest names that have come to compete here.

In 2009 he was seventh to Lee Troop; in 2010 third to another Gold Coaster, Michael Shelley; in 2011 fourth to Shelley; and last year he grabbed a podium place again when third to national athletics icon Craig Mottram.

However this year, with the Glasgow Commonwealth Games forcing a different complexion on the starting grid, Elliott finds himself in the Number 2 bib and with a real chance of climbing to the top rung.

His personal best for the distance, 29min: 43secs is well outside Shelley’s course record of 28:53 set back in 2010, however his familiarity with the course, his hunger for success and a very parochial home crowd could prove pivotal.

In his way is an intriguing array of national and overseas talent led by UK road champion Ben Moreau, who was third here in the ASICS Half Marathon last year, but is using this race as a lead-in to his tilt at the Commonwealth Games marathon later in the month.

Moreau is no slouch over the shorter distance with a 28:40 PB for the 10km set in 2012.

Another runner circling Elliott’s victory hopes is fellow-Aussie David McNeill. He has a PB of 28.03. However he has just flown in from a university stint in Arizona and is nursing a hip injury.

One more face in what could be a crowded lead pack is Victorian Mitchel Brown, who is the current Australian cross country champion and also has a very handy PB of 28.44.

And one more interesting component is another Commonwealth Games marathoner, Singapore’s Mok Ying Ren, who, like Moreau is also using the event to blow off some steam before Glasgow.

The Commonwealth Games flavour certainly lingers in the women’s 10km event as well which includes two Aussies who are bound for the Glasgow marathon – the Sunshine Coast’s Mel Panayiotou and Victoria’s Sarah Klein.

In what is shaping as a very open race, Panayiotou will be debuting in the 10km, while Klein has a PB of 34:53 and won this event back in 2008. But there will also be plenty of competition from fellow-Aussies such as Tara Palm,
who has a PB of 33:08, Belinda Martin (33:11) and Casey Wood (33:47).

The record for the women’s 10km is 32:17, set by Lisa Weightman in 2012.

Entries to all races close at 8pm on Friday July 4. Entry details are available on the Gold Coast Airport Marathon’s official site  goldcoastmarathon.com.au

Anybody who can’t make it to the race precinct on Sunday 6 July can watch the marathon via a live digital telecast and see the live results at goldcoastmarathon.com.au

Also, the main pre-race hub for the Gold Coast Airport Marathon will be at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from Thursday night, July 3. This is where the Check In Centre will be housed as well as the ASICS Sport & Leisure Expo.

The Expo will have more than 60 exhibitors with a wide range of health and fitness products. The Expo is open to the general public.

Another major highlight at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre will be the AirAsia Legends Lunch on Saturday 5 July. Appearing at the lunch will be a host of running greats including Rob de Castella, Steve Moneghetti, Pat Carroll, Lee Troop, Benita Willis and Mok Ying Ren.

This lunch is open to the general public with tickets available at goldcoastmarathon.com.au

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is a major highlight on Queensland’s event calendar, attracting people from more than 30 countries and showcasing the Gold Coast as a premier
sporting event destination.

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is a major highlight on Queensland’s event calendar, attracting people from more than 30 countries and showcasing the Gold Coast as a premier sporting event destination.

It is set to attract more than 30,000 participants of all ages and abilities across a number of events including the Gold Coast Airport Marathon, Wheelchair Marathon, ASICS Half Marathon, Wheelchair 15km, Southern Cross University 10km Run, Suncorp Bank 5.7km Challenge and Junior Dash 4km & 2km races.

Participants also have the opportunity to dedicate their run and raise funds for the official charity Cancer Council Queensland or for a charity of their choice.

For more information visit goldcoastmarathon.com.au

Elite Start Field – Men

Elite Start Field – Women