From the icy depths of the Antarctic to the green pastures of Central Park, marathoner Will Thomas has run it all.

The 49-year-old completed his goal of running a marathon on every continent at the end of last year and now has his sights on running on one of the flattest and fastest courses this July at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon.

“For the last few years I focused on the goal of running a marathon on every continent,” Will said.

“I achieved that in November last year when I finished the Antarctic Ice Marathon, about 1000km from the South Pole and the only marathon within the Antarctic Circle.

“With that goal done, I needed something new on which to focus.”

That new goal is to run a marathon personal best.

“It’s been four years since I achieved my personal best time and so many people tell me that the Gold Coast is a great place to run one,” Will said.

“So, I’m going there to try and pick up the pace and set a new record for myself.

“The goal is really pulling me forward. Since my current personal best is a little over four hours, setting a new best time means I could perhaps finally achieve a sub-four time.”

Despite having raced in 17 marathons all across the world, Will admits he is nervous about achieving his new challenge but hopes the Gold Coast winter conditions will work in his favour.

“My 2015 training has started off slowly as I am also starting a new business and preparing to move from Singapore to Thailand, so there are a lot of things happening,” Will said.

“At the moment, I am running 40 kilometres a week with three days of strength training and I plan to increase both of these.

“I am nervous because my training is not where I want it to be but I will use that nervousness to push me to work harder.

“I am excited for the chance to visit a new place and run a marathon in a more moderate climate.

“Living in Singapore and then running in Antarctica gave me both extremes and I want something in the middle.”

Running a marathon, or one on each continent, was a concept unimaginable to Will years ago but he believes if you commit to a challenge and share it with friends and family, you become more accountable.

“I knew I should be running for my health but I also knew I would get bored easily,” Will said.

“My friend suggested that I sign up for the Marine Corps Marathon and tell everyone I was going to do it so that way I wouldn’t back out.

“I used to think I could never run a marathon but then at the age of 42 I finally started and now look what I’m doing.

“I was never an athletic person growing up, so if I can do this, I bet almost anyone can. It’s never too late to start trying.”

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.