The 37-year-old Brisbane-based distance running specialist Aidan Hobbs reckons age could be his secret sauce as he prepares for the Sunday 5 May ASICS Toowoomba Half Marathon. That and a solid preparation on hilly roads and cross-country courses.

“Distance running is a bit of an anomaly as far as sport longevity goes,” Aidan, the 2022 Australian Marathon Championship bronze medallist, said.

“More runners are peaking in their 30s and early 40s, which is unheard of in other sports.

“I started aged 8 by running in the 1995 City to Surf in Sydney with my grandparents and I haven’t missed one since.

“As I keep progressing, it’s inspiring to see Australian marathoners like Sinead Diver and Lisa Weightman representing Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at 44 and 42 years of age respectively.

“Which all goes to prove that running is a lifelong sport that people can do at any age if they really want to,” he said.

Aidan is coached in Brisbane by John Purcell, Paul Circosta, and the legendary Pat Clohessy, most famous for his work as an Olympic distance running coach and mentor to plenty of greats, including Rob de Castella, Shaun Creighton, and Toowoomba’s Pat Tiernan.

“Pat coached at the University of Queensland Athletic Centre, which has a cross country loop that’s pretty hilly, and running on that has been a key component of my Toowoomba preparation.

“I’ve been doing a lot of strength work on and off the track and for the past few months I’ve managed to string together some solid training sessions over varying distances.

“Last weekend I won the Rebound Club’s Super-Secret 5km Race in Brisbane and I’ve also done more long training runs than in previous builds.

“Toowoomba’s hilly course layout was what got me interested in running the Half there, and my plan is to have a good hit out and take that experience and conditioning into July’s Gold Coast Marathon,” he said.

The Toowoomba Marathon presented by Wellcamp Airport and the shorter distance events are back with a vengeance after a four-year hiatus with over 2000 runners already signed up for the challenge.

With courses designed to take in the historic sites, artistic streetscapes and colourful parks and gardens, the event will host a race for the recreational runner, elite athlete and all ages and abilities.

Entries are now available for the Toowoomba Marathon presented by Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport , the ASICS half marathon, Vanderbilt Private Equity 10km Run or Toowoomba Region 5km run and the Toowoomba Chronicle 2km race for the juniors at Enter | Toowoomba Marathon

Meanwhile, the organisers have put out a call this week for event volunteers.

Volunteers will be rewarded with the opportunity to meet hundreds of people from all over the country and be a part of the exciting return of the Toowoomba Marathon while giving back to the community.

People keen to help on the day can register at:
Volunteering | Toowoomba Marathon Events Management Queensland (EMQ) proudly delivers the annual Gold Coast Marathon, Toowoomba Marathon and the biennial Pan Pacific Masters Games and is proudly supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.

EMQ is a not-for-profit organisation that could not deliver the quality events it is renowned for without the wonderful support of the participants, running groups, sponsors, the local community and volunteers.

Events Management Queensland acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Toowoomba Region and pays respect to the Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the knowledge, rich traditions and bold ambitions of Australia’s First Peoples.