Keep August 5^th clear on your calendar, because this year’s McDonald’s Brisbane Marathon Festival is not an event to be missed.

One of the most historic events on the Queensland running calendar, the Brisbane Marathon Festival has iconic resonance with the 1982 Commonwealth Games where the famed Robert de Castella was first across the line in a celebrated victory. This magnificent day embarked a running frenzy in Brisbane where the first official Brisbane Marathon was open to the public in 1992.

Celebrating our 27 years in 2018, the Brisbane Marathon is one of the oldest and most friendly events on the Australian calendar attracting thousands of participants from over 35 countries annually. Often labelled the ’boutique’ marathon of choice, in part due to the VIP treatment all participants receive. The event celebrates fun fitness and the test of ultimate human endurance – the Marathon. The Brisbane Marathon Festival is a world class AIMS certified event, making it a qualifier for the World’s major marathons, and attracts elite and recreational runners as well as encouraging the local community to get out and get active and enjoy visiting Brisbane city.  In 2018 this event will be a major fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House South East Queensland, supporting families of seriously ill children.

“Life on a day to day basis changes dramatically when a child is diagnosed with a serious illness or suffers an accident. On behalf of the families staying at Ronald McDonald House South East Queensland (RMH SEQ), we would like to thank you for your incredibly generous offer to support, participate and volunteer at this year’s Brisbane Marathon Festival. Your time will be going towards a fantastic day but also towards supporting our families residing with us. We would struggle to complete our mission without the help of supporters like you!” – RMHC SEQ

Clay Dawson, the 2017 champion who ran a super impressive time of 2:28:15, plans to compete again this year. Clay says his main focus during winter is to maintain “consistency” with his training.

“If I could use an analogy, I’d say my training is a dripping tap. Coupled with this is the obvious care to not become sick or injured.”

His 2018 race schedule is his most ambitious yet and his training has stepped up from 2017.

“The body is holding up well, so far, and the signs are positive, at this stage.”

His race calendar includes:

June 9 – Springfield Marathon,

July 1 – Gold Coast Marathon,

August 5 – McDonald’s Brisbane Marathon,

August 19 – 7 Sunshine Coast Marathon,

September 16 – Blackmores Sydney Marathon.

Clay says he never tires of the views you get when running in Brisbane and urges interstate and international visitors to Brisbane remember to take in the sights while out on course on August 5.