Saiyami Kher completed the Gold Coast Marathon this past weekend, not as a peak race but as a training run embedded in an active holiday that included diving, surfing, snorkelling and rock climbing across Queensland.
Unique Travel Tradition
For Kher, running a marathon or half marathon in every country she visits has become a personal tradition. The race day is not the main event but the final chapter of her trip. The Gold Coast Marathon, now in its 46th edition, is the only race in Australia with World Athletics Label status, road racing's top distinction. The course is notably flat, with just 62 metres of elevation change over the full distance, a factor that helps nearly 60% of finishers achieve a personal best.
Training Over Time
Kher was not chasing a time, as she is training for her third half Ironman and treated the Gold Coast Marathon as a training run. She said, "I wasn't chasing a time on this race because I was recovering from an ankle injury but for anyone chasing a PB this is a great course to choose!" She added, "The Gold Coast marathon was a dream because it was the perfect weather and has to be one of the most scenic runs I have ever done. I feel Gold Coast in general is a very fit city so the energy and runners at the race was incredible." She plans to return next year.
Destination Partnerships
The trip was organised by Tourism Queensland, part of a trend where destination boards partner with athletes rather than traditional celebrities, betting that lived experience sells a place better than a postcard. Kher's experience always ends at a start line, treating the run as the truest way to see a city she has just arrived in.
Broader Training Arc
Kher connected the race to her broader training arc: "I am doing another half ironman in 2 months, so this felt like a perfect race to keep my training going." The Gold Coast Marathon's flat course and scenic route made it an ideal venue for her training run.
