DIVERSE INTERNATIONAL FIELD CONVERGES ON GOLD COAST – Marathon Elite Women

A diverse international line-up headlines the women’s field for the 2026 ASICS Gold Coast Marathon featuring a fascinating clash between proven African stars, a past American race winner, emerging Japanese contenders and a quality Australian contingent.  

Leading the charge is Kenya’s Antonina Kwambai, the experienced 34-year-old bringing a personal best of 2:23:20 from Toronto in 2022. She will be joined by exciting Ethiopian youngster Almaz Kebede, whose rapid rise has caught attention globally after clocking 2:23:30 in Dubai last year at just 20 years of age.

2022 Gold Coast Marathon winner and experienced American Lindsay Flanagan also looms as a major contender after producing a career-best 2:23:31 in Chicago in 2024.  

Japan’s depth in women’s distance running will again be on full display with Aika Murakami and Kaede Kawamura both entering with strong credentials. Murakami arrives in career-best form after running 2:25:07 in Nagoya earlier this year, while Kawamura has already demonstrated her class with a 2:25:44 best from Osaka in 2024. 

Mongolia’s Khishigsaikhan Galbadrakh adds further international intrigue to the elite field. The 35-year-old produced a strong 2:26:32 in Tokyo in 2024 and has proven herself capable of performing in major championship-style races. 

Ethiopian Lensa Debele Jaleta (2:26:55) and Kenyan Joyline Chemutai also look poised to feature prominently. Chemutai has a half marathon PB of 1:09:44 and finished a credible third in her debut marathon in hot conditions in Kuala Lumpur last year. 

One of the biggest talking points leading into race weekend will be the marathon debut of China’s Shuangshuang Xu. While untested over 42.2km, Xu’s outstanding 1:09:34 half marathon performance in Shanghai earlier this year suggests she could be capable of making a big first impression. 

Australia’s hopes will be led by experienced Olympian Milly Clark, who returns to the Gold Coast chasing another strong marathon performance. Clark’s career-best 2:26:59 and wealth of international experience make her one of the leading local chances. 

A strong local contingent also includes experienced Australians Vanessa Wilson (2:28:34), Abigail Nordberg (2:33:05), Simone McInnes (2:34:11) and Australian-based Canadian Danette Sheehan (2:33:15) while 22-year-old Japanese runner Kokone Sakai shapes as one of the rising stars of the field after running 2:35:22 in Kobe. 

With proven international performers, emerging young talent and experienced campaigners all set to line up, the women’s marathon promises to be one of the highlights of the 2026 ASICS Gold Coast Marathon weekend.