Kewarra Beach local, Olga Gordon, has been inspired by her 15-year-old son and encouraged by an Olympic and Commonwealth Games representative to take on a personal challenge of running 21 kilometres at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon this July.

The 42-year-old’s love for running was reignited recently having been inspired by her son’s passion for the sport which prompted her to set the goal of completing the ASICS Half Marathon on the Gold Coast.

“As a child I thoroughly enjoyed running, especially cross country, but as I got older, life got in the road,” Olga said.

“I moved from the country to Sydney and really had nowhere I could enjoy a run and as a result, I gave it away.

“But, for the last seven years, my son has shown a lot of interest and talent in running which has encouraged me to give jogging another go.”

A move from Coffs Harbour to Cairns was the unexpected catalyst behind Olga’s participation in the Gold Coast Airport Marathon last year which led her to running her first 10km race last November.

“Two years ago we moved from Coffs Harbour to Cairns. A group of kids from Coffs Harbour attend the Gold Coast Airport Marathon each year, so we used it as an opportunity to get together with old friends,” Olga said.

“Last year, I decided, on a whim, to compete in the Suncorp Bank 5.7km Challenge rather than just be a spectator.

“I then went on to compete in the 10km Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival in Port Douglas which was extremely hot and was very hard work.”

Despite the tough conditions, Olga got through the 10 kilometre run with the help of Great Britain Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletics representative Jill Boltz (nee Hunter), and sparked her interest in running a half marathon.

“With the support of my son’s coach, Jill, I got over the finish line,” Olga said.

“Jill sends me a weekly program and it generally involves three runs per week.

“She has me doing one long run (currently seven kilometres) and two other sessions which tend to be interval based with the odd hill session thrown in.

“It can be very tough training in the heat and humidity in Far North Queensland but between Jill and my watch, I feel accountable and generally do as I’m told.”

Olga’s aim is to complete the race within the cut off time while her son, who will be racing in the Suncorp Bank 5.7km Challenge, will use the race as a lead up to the Queensland Schools State Cross Country Championship.

“My aim is to do it in 2 hours and 40 minutes but Jill believes I should be able to beat 2 hours and 30 minutes. I like her optimism but I am sceptical,” Olga said.

“I’m feeling nervous about the cut off time and don’t feel I am anywhere near as prepared as I should be.

“But I have a countdown marked on the calendar, so I’m also a little excited. I’m looking forward to catching up with old friends from Coffs Harbour.”

She is determined not to let her passion for running slide after the Gold Coast Airport Marathon having already laid out her next personal challenge.

“I was born in the Netherlands and very close to my hometown there is an annual half marathon event called the Egmond Half Marathon,” Olga said.

“It is held early January and normally conditions are woeful. Part of it is on the beach and quite often the weather will be extremely stormy. Sleet and snow can also be factors.

“My ultimate running aim is to participate in this event in January 2017.”

The 37th annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon, an IAAF Road Race Gold Label race, will be held on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.

Entries are now open. Early bird fees finish Thursday 30 April (11:59pm AEST).

For more information visit goldcoastmarathon.com.au.