Gold Coast Marathon 2026 results are officially in, and they delivered one of the most record-breaking weekends in the race’s 46-year history. Australian runner Haftu Strintzos won the men’s marathon in 2:06:20 — a new course record, Australian national record, and Oceania record all in one extraordinary run — becoming the first Australian man to win at Gold Coast in two decades. Ethiopia’s Almaz Kebebe claimed the women’s title in 2:24:53, leading an international sweep of the podium. Here is the complete breakdown of results, records, and the historic moments that defined the 2026 edition.
The ASICS Gold Coast Marathon has always held a reputation as the fastest, flattest personal best course in the Asia-Pacific region. Over the July 4 and 5 weekend, that reputation was completely rewritten. Ideal winter running conditions saw national records tumble, regional history shattered, and a brilliant tactical battle that culminated in an emotional hometown victory.
If there was ever a race that proved why elite and everyday runners flock to Queensland to escape the mid-year monsoon slump, this weekend was it.
Haftu Strintzos wins the 2026 ASICS Gold Coast Marathon in a record-breaking 2:06:20. (Image Credit: Gold Coast Marathon)
🏆 2026 Men’s Elite Marathon Podium
| Position | Athlete | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | Haftu Strintzos | Australia | 2:06:20 |
| 🥈 2nd | Hidekazu Hijikata | Japan | 2:07:20 |
| 🥉 3rd | Jinya Ozaki | Japan | 2:07:48 |
🏆 2026 Women’s Elite Marathon Podium
| Position | Athlete | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | Almaz Kebebe | Ethiopia | 2:24:53 |
| 🥈 2nd | Antonina Kwambai | Kenya | 2:25:41 |
| 🥉 3rd | Kaede Kawamura | Japan | 2:28:00 |
Ethiopia’s Almaz Kebebe led an international sweep of the women’s podium, with no Australian finisher inside the top three. Her winning time of 2:24:53 fell just short of Yuki Nakamura’s 2024 course record of 2:24:22 — the women’s record stands for another year.
Key Moments and Historic Breakthroughs
The 20-Year Aussie Drought is Broken
When 26-year-old Victorian Haftu Strintzos crossed the finish line tape, he didn’t just win a race; he shattered a generation of waiting. Clocking an unbelievable 2:06:20, Strintzos became the first Australian man to win the Gold Coast Marathon in exactly two decades, following in the footsteps of Lee Troop’s iconic 2006 victory.
⚡ A Triple-Record Performance
Strintzos ran a beautiful, calculated race, sticking cleanly with a heavy Japanese contingent and trusting the pacers up to the 30km mark. When he made his definitive move at the 36.6km turn, nobody could match his cadence.
- The Australian National Record: Lowered the previous 2:06:22 marker
- The Oceania Regional Record: Rewrote the continental history books
- The Gold Coast Course Record: Smashed by a massive 73 seconds
Singapore’s Historic Weekend
Beyond the local heroics, Singaporean distance running enjoyed an unprecedented breakthrough on the Gold Coast tarmac. Singapore topped the charts for international participation with 792 runners, and their elite squad delivered spectacular dividends:
- Vanessa Lee absolutely obliterated a 30-year-old Singaporean national half marathon record on Saturday morning.
- Shaun Goh pivoted to the 10k category late in the week after battling illness and walked away with a brand new men’s 10k national road record.
The Japan Affinity Continues
While Strintzos stole the headline, Japan’s deep distance running culture completely dominated the top-tier field. Hidekazu Hijikata took second place in 2:07:20, a stellar mark that also dipped well under the old course record. Unbelievably, Japanese runners secured seven out of the top ten elite spots, proving once again that this course remains their favorite international testing ground for flat, fast pacing.
📋 2026 Gold Coast Marathon — At a Glance
- Men’s winner: Haftu Strintzos (AUS) — 2:06:20, new course record and Australian national record
- Women’s winner: Almaz Kebebe (ETH) — 2:24:53
- First Australian men’s champion since 2006
- 7 of the top 10 men’s elite finishers were Japanese
- 42,000+ entries from 60 countries across all race distances
- 2027 entries open December 2026
Planning for the Next Starting Gun?
The dust has barely settled on a weekend where 60% of the field targeted and hit personal milestones, but thoughts are already shifting toward next year. Early bird registrations for the 2027 edition will officially open in December 2026.
Read the Ultimate Gold Coast Marathon Guide