Your guide to the von Bibra Mitsubishi Gold Coast Running Festival

Course map | Where to stay | Things to do nearby | Where to eat

When: 27 April 2025

Conquered a half-marathon but feel like a full-length marathon is a bridge too far? Then lace up your running shoes and head to the Gold Coast for the von Bibra Mitsubishi Gold Coast Running Festival 2025, a multi-distance celebration of running headlined by a 3/4-length marathon (31-kilometre).

With all distances starting and finishing at Robina’s iconic Cbus Super Stadium—the home of the NRL Gold Coast Titans and previous State of Origin and Commonwealth Games venue – you’ll be following in the footsteps of sporting greats.

So, fill up your water bottle and read on for our Gold Coast Running Festival guide covering all the event essentials, as well as what to do on the Gold Coast, where to eat and drink, and where to stay.

Gold Coast Running Festival course map

Along with the half-marathon, the 3/4 marathon is the main event here, offering 21-kilometres to really put your determination and fitness through its paces.

There’s also 10 and 5-kilometre distances, with the 5-kilometre distance perfect for walkers, families (ages 7 and up), or anyone up for a more casual run.

For youngsters and beginners, there is a 2.5-kilometre run (minimum age of 7 years), and the 1-kilometre Michael Shelley Dash (all ages, with under 5s accompanied by an adult), named in honour of the Gold Coast marathon legend.

Each event kicks off just outside Cbus Super Stadium, before running out onto Cheltenham Drive—entirely closed to traffic—and across Mudgeeraba Creek and through Gold Coast suburbia.

From there, the longer distances continue out onto Robina Motorway, for a fast, scenic run with views of golfing greens and crystal-clear canals to spur you along.

You’ll then turnaround for the home stretch back to the stadium where you’ll cross the finish line and get two things – a sense of achievement, and a Gold Coast Running Festival finisher’s medal to mark a job well done.

To register, and for all the key event info including schedules and course maps, head to the Gold Coast Running Festival website.

Where to stay for the Gold Coast Running Festival

From super-luxe to budget-friendly gems, you won’t run out of Gold Coast Running Festival accommodation options.

For a touch of indulgence, try the beachfront Langham with swim-up bar and fine-dining buffet restaurant, Akoya, or the Darling, where boutique design and luxury intersect at The Star Gold Coast.

Got the family with you? Check into Paradise Resort Gold Coast, a ‘cruise ship on land’ offering everything from ice skating to laser tag, or camp, caravan or stay at Nobby Beach Holiday Village—with a 35-metre water slide that you’ll never be able to get the kids off!  

Up for something a bit different? Step back into yesteryear at two refurbished retro motels, the Pink Hotel Coolangatta, with vinyl record players and vibrant murals in the rooms, or La Costa Motel at Bilinga, with its unmistakable mint green exterior and flamingo statues on the lawn.

For budget options, stay right in the heart of Surfers Paradise at the ever popular, always pumping The Island, or hostels like Bunk Backpackers Surfers Paradise.

What to do on the Gold Coast

You know and love it for its beaches and theme parks—and yes, the Gold Coast has those in spades—but the GC is also a land of soul-cleansing hinterland, curiosity-quenching attractions, and outdoor adventures.

Get your bearings with Aquaduck Gold Coast—an amphibious vehicle that starts with a tour of the streets of Surfers Paradise before driving into the water (yes, really) and cruising the Broadwater.

Marvel at the oddities on display at Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Odditorium, with weird and whacky hands-on exhibits and illusions, or climb to the top of the world at Skypoint Observation Deck, where —if you’re feeling adventurous—you can take the outdoor Skypoint Climb, 270-metres in the air.

Head back down to earth and explore the Hinterland and walk amongst prehistoric Gondwana Rainforest in Lamington National Park or Springbrook National Park, where you’ll find popular tracks like the Natural Bridge and Twin Falls Circuits.

Now—back to those beaches and theme parks. Catch a wave at Snapper Rocks or Currumbin Alley (or learn to surf), stand-up paddleboard the calm, sparkling waters of the idyllic Tallebudgera Creek, or pop up your Coolcabana on the sand and enjoy the sunshine at some of the Gold Coast’s best beaches.

Spend the day at one of the Gold Coast’s theme parks—feel the G-forces on the southern hemisphere’s fastest hyper-coaster at Dreamworld, step into the silver screen at Warner Bros Movie World, ride Wet’n’Wild’s Constrictor slide—featuring the tightest banking in the world—or become mates with marine life at Sea World.

Where to eat and drink on the Gold Coast

Looking for a caffeine fix after the Running Festival? A short drive away you’ll find Blackboard Espresso at Varsity Lakes—pull up a chair and enjoyed a well-earned cappuccino along with unique brunch creations like lime and pistachio cheesecake waffle.

Some of our other brunch favourites include the vanilla custard bombs at Bam Bam Bakehouse (the queues might be out the door but trust us—it’s worth it!) to the plant-based creations bursting with hinterland produce at the Milkman’s Daughter.

For lunch, why not step straight from the beach into a surf lifesaving club for a chicken parmy and schooner of XXXX Gold. We particularly like the Rainbow Bay Surf Lifesaving Club, where the message above the giant deck says it all: ‘from where you’d rather be’. 

If that’s got you hungry for even more beachfront dining, how about somewhere so close you’ll feel a hint of salty-sea spray on your skin. Perched right on the water at Burleigh you’ll find Rick Shores offering pan-Asian infused dishes like Hokkaido scallop and shrimp-glazed pork rack. 

Elsewhere, travel around the world at Bazaar, enjoy chef hat award winning flavours at Robina’s cosy little Eddy + Wolf, or pull up a chair at Social Eating House—a tapas restaurant so good Hollywood actor John Cusack once dined there five nights running.

For more sweat and grit, check out Queensland’s endurance event calendar.