The rise of run clubs has inspired a surprising new holiday trend

Think taking a holiday means hanging up your trainers? Think again.

With run clubs continuing to pop up across Australia, as more and more folks fall in love with community running, there’s a growing breed of traveller scouring the country for new finish lines to cross.

No longer content with covering kilometres at home, runners are teaming up getaways with race days for holidays with a twist. And maybe, just maybe, an ultimate PB.

Which was exactly the case for plenty of runners from the Coogee Run Club, one of Sydney’s most popular groups, who jumped states to take on the Gold Coast Marathon in July. As the club’s co-founder, I was ecstatic that we had more than 40 runners on course, which is renowned as being the flattest and fastest in Australia.

Since we launched in 2022, I’ve witnessed firsthand the rapid rise of runners and race registrations as Aussies chase new challenges. And while local events have always been huge draw cards, now it’s travelling for a race that really gets heart rates pumping.

So, without further ado, here are all the reasons why you should make your next marathon one you have to leave home for.

You get the chance to visit somewhere new

Forgo your well trodden routes for a race on foreign lands and you’ll find yourself on a whole new adventure.

“For me, it’s the opportunity and excuse to visit somewhere new,” one of my Run Leads, Ella, tells me, adding that it took doing a marathon to get her to Melbourne. “It combines two of my favourite things – travelling and running.”

You get to see a side of the destination you’d not otherwise see

This is your chance to avoid the tourist traps and get a local’s view into the real beating heart of your host city in a super unique style.

“My favourite way to explore a new city is to run it, and what better way than to run 42.2 kilometres around a new place,” explains Ella.

“It’s the best way to see a city,” Coogee runner Grace adds. “And as it’s so difficult, you are extremely alive and aware of what’s going on around you as you run, so you take it all in – the scents, the sounds, the people next to you, and the people on the sidelines.”

You get to bring your fitness on holiday with you

Ever book a trip and then freak out that you’re going to lose all those hard-earned gainz with a few weeks off the gym and drinking cocktails by the pool?

Running a marathon while on holiday means you’ll keep up your fitness while away, plus you get to fuel up on all those carbs and calories before burning them off.

You get to bond better with your run club friends

From catching flights to crashing in Airbnbs as a group, running a marathon out of town brings runners together through shared experiences and many hours spent hanging out.

When new to the Coogee Run Club, Talen jumped at the chance to run the Gold Coast Marathon and the opportunity to get to know our members a bit more. “I had a blast exploring a new city whilst continuing to meet Coogee runners for the first time,” he says.

You get warmly welcomed by your hosts

Maybe you’ve travelled somewhere new, not known a soul, and spent the weekend feeling invisible. Not for marathoners with thousands of running fans on the sidelines cheering participants on.

“You feel kind of welcomed by the city you’re visiting,” Coogee Run Club’s Jake tells me, having raced the New York City marathon in 2023, before taking on the Gold Coast event this year. Hooked on marathon holidays, he’s also prepping for the Queenstown race in the middle of November.

You get a holiday out of a marathon

Not that you ever need an excuse to take a trip, but choosing to run 42.2 kilometres is certainly a good one.

Andy from the Coogee Run Club says he signed up for the Gold Coast to “have a holiday with a great group of people”. “Having previously done the Queenstown Marathon with the Coogee crew, I was keen to do it [another marathon outside Sydney] again,” he explains.

Runner Paul was also eager to make a short holiday out of the Queensland event. “Especially when it’s in such a great holiday destination,” he says. “It’s similar to attending a festival but with the rewarding feeling of completing a race and a new achievement.”

You get to do things you can’t do at home

A huge element of the Gold Coast Marathon is that the running festival also includes a half marathon the day before, and gives out an extra accolade for those who take on both races.

“It was the fact that they offered the half and full marathon option with the third medal that encouraged me,” Simon, a Run Lead at the Coogee Run Club, explains. “I also loved how many Coogee members showed up for each other and that there was support on the sidelines on both days, with good camaraderie and spirit throughout the weekend. When you take the familiarity of a place away, but still have the familiarity of the people, it feels like a home away from home.”

While the event’s lack of elevation draws plenty of others in. “It was a flat course next to a beach – being an expat, that’s all you really want from an Australian marathon,” UK runner Rowan says. “I wanted to try my first marathon and was told that it was a flat and easy course, and the best race for newbies,” adds Xiaona.

You get the chance to set a new PB

Did we mention that the Gold Coast Marathon is flat? Meaning the race boasts huge potential for participants to put their fitness to the test and pick up a personal best.

You get to bring home the best souvenir

Alongside a stellar result on Strava that’ll rack up plenty of kudos, you’ll also return with a new gong.

“And a medal is a lot cooler to bring back than a snow globe,” Jake says.

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