5K races near Gold Coast

Gold Coast Training Notes

Gold Coast hosts 12 5K races in 2026 within 80 km of the city centre — upcoming dates, recurring series, and other races nearby, all in one place.

Locals run the flat coastal stuff when they want rhythm, Z2, and honest splits. Main Beach, Southport, The Spit, Surfers Paradise, Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach, Miami, Paradise Point, and the Broadwater all sit on the usual marathon map. Main Beach Run Club meets Tuesdays and Fridays from 5:30 AM to 6:30 AM. Burleigh Run Club meets Tuesdays from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM and Fridays from 5:30 AM to 6:30 AM. Gold Coast Run Co adds intervals, Fartlek, tempo, and easy long-run options. ASICS Gold Coast Marathon anchors winter, with China Airlines Half Marathon and Southern Cross University 10km Run close behind.

Locals ride from beachfront to hinterland, and the west is where the legs get tested. Gold Coast Cycling Club fosters road and track, after Gold Coast Goldstars Cycling Club and CATS came together in 2017. Heath Cleary Signs Gold Coast Junior Tour gives the race calendar a sharp two-day, five-stage anchor. Currumbin to Burleigh Heads Coastal Loop follows Palm Beach, Tugun, Kirra, and Burleigh for clean base miles. Tallebudgera Valley Loop has rolling hills and quiet sections. Mount Tamborine loop starts and finishes in Canungra and packs 43 kilometres with 570 metres of total climb. Little Nerang Dam to Springbrook National Park hits 23 kilometres with 983 metres of total climb.

July suits riders, and winter suits runners chasing fast legs. The ASICS Gold Coast Marathon gets low humidity, little wind, and mild temperatures, and the course conditions help 60% of participants run personal best times each year. Locals ride early because the Gold Coast gives cooler temps and less wind before the day builds. Summer sends smart sessions west, because the Mount Tamborine area is typically 5 to 10 degrees cooler than the coast. Winter changes the feel for both sports, with log-fire hinterland rides, crisp Z2 mornings, and flat coastal racing that feels made for PB work.