Toowoomba’s Jamie Lacey and Brisbane’s Kathryn Parkinson made the most of today’s ideal conditions to blitz the field and rack up back-to-back victories in the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Marathon men’s and women’s events.

And in scenes reminiscent of their 2024 triumphs Lacey and Parkinson left plenty of daylight between themselves and the rest of the field.

Lacey finished in a course record 2:38:52 ahead of Dylan McCormack (2:50) and Callum Corbett (3:01:19) while Parkinson, who spectacularly ran third in the field of 170 starters, won the 2025 women’s title in a race record time of 2:51:42 ahead of Lea Brown (3:29:12) and Serena Dyer (3:30:10).

Lacey said he enjoyed this year’s run a lot more than last years.

“I took it a fair bit easier off the start and the second half of the race was really enjoyable, not cramping up on the downhills,” Lacey said.

“I took a lot of the learnings from last year into this race, things around the pace and getting comfortable in the run and I feel I did a much better job all-round,” he said.

Lacey said he picked up a couple of handy pace runners along the way.

“I ran with a couple of the Half Marathoners for most of the first half of the race, and they really helped establish my pace and rhythm,” he said.

He also had high praise for the event he practically owns.

“This is a great Toowoomba event and as a local I’d like to see more and more people embrace it.

“Because of the hills, you’re never going to get a record time or anything, but it’s a really interesting course and it lets you find your own pace and rhythm – I just love it,” he said.

Toowoomba born, Brisbane-based Parkinson was rapt with her record setting win which she notched despite a slight hamstring injury.

“I made it…what a beautiful morning out there, the community is just awesome,” she said.

“The hills, they don’t leave you guessing, they’re a good challenge, but the community was just brilliant.

“I probably paced the hills a bit easier this year…I could take the downhills a lot faster but definitely pacing was the best thing and knowing what was ahead was a good help.

“I grew up running around these hills, so it feels like coming home and running through the park, it’s just beautiful, nice, shaded areas and everyone cheers you on – it’s gorgeous out there,” she said.

Next for Parkinson are the Gold Coast and Sydney marathons.

ASICS Half Marathon

Almost 1000 runners faced the starter in today’s ASICS Half Marathon, about a third of the 3000 people took part in events across the weekend.

In a thrilling men’s race, Brisbane runner and father of two Aidan Hobbs made it back-to-back victories after taking out the inaugural event last year.

He breasted the tape in 1:13:55, a minute and a half ahead of second placegetter Campbell Oram (1:15:33) and half marathon debutante Logan Baxter (1:19:02).

Remarkably, this year’s win comes just six days after he ran the full distance Ballarat Marathon.

“The legs are still a little bit heavy but out there we had a couple of guys running strong out of the start that I needed to go with,” Hobbs said.

“But those hills really sorted things out.

“I actually took it a bit easier than last year because I knew I wasn’t going to have the same fresh legs that I had last year, particularly for that hill at 17km, it’s a tough one,” he said.

Hobbs praised the on-course atmosphere on a day made for running and spectating.

“It was great running alongside the runners in the 10km – they were all giving me a cheer and I was giving them a shoutout and thumbs up as I went past; I love it.

“The Queensland Athletics state short course championships are on next week, so I’ll do those, and the full distance Brisbane Marathon if my legs pull up alright from this,” he said.

Oram dramatically improved on his seventh place from last year, even finding time to take in the scenery.

“This is the hardest race, it’s a tough course, but it’s beautiful out there with its valley views and everything.

“Last year I completely underestimated the elevations, but this year I knew where I could charge and where I could ease off, so that really counted at the end,” he said.

The women’s event was taken out by Lily Dolton (1:23:01) at her first crack over the distance in her hometown ahead of last year’s winner Melanie Magarey (1:25:35) and Jane Hoskin (1:28:56).

Dolton enjoyed the feel-good nature of the day.

“It was a great course and a lovely morning; I just wanted to enjoy the race and I’m very happy with the win,” she said.

“It was good to see so many people on the course cheering us on,” she said.

Magarey had no regrets handing over her title.

“It was beautiful weather, a tough course but absolutely amazing this year with a lot more people out on the streets.

“I could hear so many people calling out ‘go Mel’ so that just kept me going; it was just an amazing atmosphere out there, so thank you everyone.

“Our family has had the best weekend, and I tell you what, having the Mile, Relay and the 5km the day before just created an amazing atmosphere for the whole weekend – the kids have had the best time,” she said.

And inspired by the time she ran today Magarey has her sights set on coastal honours.

“I’ve got the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon next and I’m hoping to run a PB there so this is part of a lot of working going into that.

“This has been a good gauge of my fitness, and I’ve run about three minutes faster than last year, so I think I’m on track for Gold Coast,” she said.

Visit Toowoomba Region 10km

A bumper field of 783 runners took to the streets for the Visit Toowoomba Region 10km with pre-race fancy Timothy Hogno taking the spoils in 35:35 ahead of Kotaro Nihei (36:08) and Matthew Hoey (37:40).

Hogno said his run was all about control.

“I just tried to keep the first 5km a bit conservative, I didn’t want to burn myself before all the hills,” he said.

“I just wanted to keep it nice and moderate and controlled and see what we had to bring home on the downhill.

“This is great; it’s lovely to get to do a run we do pretty often, doing the loops is a bit of fun, it’s a bit tricky, it’s a tough course but we always love a challenge.

“There was great support out there; it’s an awesome community, Toowoomba – I think the running community here is like nowhere else.

“I’m pretty happy with the 10km today – it’s a good strength and training run before we head into cross country season,” he said.

Second place runner Nihei came into the race a hot contender with a PB of 32:59 from the 2024 Bridge to Brisbane,

He said he is looking forward to a dramatic increase in distance over the coming months.

“This was a really hard run with its hills, but it was a great hit out for me because over the next six months I’ll run in the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon and Brisbane Marathon, the full distance events, so today was a great warm up,” he said.

Birmingham Commonwealth Games 3000m steeplechase finalist and last year’s 5km winner Brielle Erbacher (26) backed up her Elite Mile Run from yesterday with an all-the-way win in the 10km women’s event.

The local runner’s time of 28:23 was good enough to consign Georgia Sloss (39:30) to back-to-back second placings in the event with Lauren Brown taking third in 40:49.

“Yesterday was a great warm up, but there were a horrible lot of hills out there to crawl up this morning, but that’s what you get in Toowoomba.

“But the crowds along the way, particularly on the hills, were amazing,” she said.

Erbacher said she could have used some male company along the course.

“The boys took off on the downhill, they were gone, so I was on my own for a lot of it, but I’ll take any time over that course,” she said.

Second place runner Sloss was happy with her effort.

“It was good out there; I did the race last year and got 42 minutes, so I wanted to try and get under 40 this year and I did that.

“I told myself not to go out too hard and try and save some energy for the first hills.

“The crowds were so good out there, there were a lot of people I know on the footpath which was really nice,” she said.

High praise for the success of the weekend – Toowoomba Region Council Mayor Geoff McDonald

“This is fantastic and what I have heard from everyone who has participated or volunteered is it’s just the vibe, it’s just phenomenal.

“To go from a one-day event last year, to a two-day event this year – people came in on Friday and some will head home today, some will stay and there’s been a lot of first-time visitors to the region which is part of the motivation for this event.

“Putting it over two days encourages people to stay longer – Events Management Queensland do a terrific job, the volunteers do an outstanding job, the sponsors – it couldn’t happen without them, so collectively it’s a triple win.

“Volunteers getting involved might even encourage them to participate – it’s just such a great atmosphere and the vibe is just awesome.

“Volunteering will be the backbone of the Olympics and Paralympics in 2032 so to build that up over the next seven years is important and as an Olympic city we will need volunteers here for the equestrian.

“It’s all gone so well; this is a terrific event.”

Events Management Queensland CEO Ben Mannion

“This weekend has exceeded all our expectations.

“From the very first races at the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport yesterday to today’s feature events on the beautiful streets of Toowoomba, the atmosphere has been incredible.

“It’s absolutely impossible to talk to any of our participants without them telling us how much fun they’ve had this weekend and how unique running in this beautiful city really is.

“In fact, many people I’ve spoken to talk of the experience well before they talk of their races or results.

“Indeed, in seven short years, Toowoomba will be a fully-fledged Olympic city, host of the Olympic equestrian competition, and events such as the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Marathon will serve a very important purpose in involving the community in event organisation at all levels.

“Volunteerism will be key to the success of the 2032 Games and imperative to how Toowoomba, the Olympic City, is projected to the world.

“Our sincere thanks go to everyone who made this weekend what it has been, and we look forward to seeing everyone again for an even bigger and better event in 2026.”