Half Marathon races near Gold Coast City

Queen Elizabeth Park places you on the Southern Gold Coast. This race feels like a road ultra that is direct about its demands. The main event is a 50km coastal run with ocean views. In 2026, it will also host the AUTRA Road National Championships, ensuring a competitive field at the front. The course is flat and multi-lap, suitable for runners moving up from a marathon. It offers ample opportunity to assess your endurance. Expect well-supplied aid stations, supportive volunteers, and spectators along the course. The nation's top ultra runners will share the weekend with participants in shorter races, with yoga and live entertainment near the finish.

The Lamington Classic Trail Run follows the Border Track through Lamington National Park, connecting Binna Burra and O'Reilly's Green Mountain in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Held annually in September, it is a trail race, not a road event, offering half marathon crossings, a double-crossing marathon, and a back-to-back weekend option. The race originated in 1970, making it Australia's oldest trail run. The route is within World Heritage-listed rainforest and uses a Class 4 trail, presenting runners with exposed roots, rocks, steep grades, and muddy sections. The point-to-point crossing between two historic mountain guesthouse areas provides a distinct bushwalking character, yet the format attracts participants seeking a challenging half marathon, a full marathon composed of two crossings, or the more demanding weekend event.