2024 Gold Coast Marathon: Team SCU gets race-ready as health students prepare for Recovery Hub

For the 17^th year in a row, Southern Cross University will be the proud naming sponsor of the 10km Run.

 “Southern Cross University has been a valued and longstanding partner of the Gold Coast Marathon for many years, contributing significantly to the event's success and community impact.

“The University’s unwavering support and collaboration have helped elevate the event experience for all participants, and our target of 30,000 participants in 2024,” said Courtney Creen, General Manager – Partnerships and Marketing at Events Management Queensland.

The starter gun for the 10km Run will fire on Sunday, 7 July at 6:45 am, part of an adrenaline-filled weekend catering to all ages, fitness levels and abilities.

The Gold Coast Marathon gathers participants from around the world across eight races, including the Southern Cross University 10km Run, the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon, CPL Wheelchair Marathon, Half Marathon or Gold Coast Airport 5km, among others.

Team SCU

This year, Team SCU, will consist of 147 runners, including students, staff members, alumni, family and friends. Of those, around 80 runners will participate in the University’s sponsored 10km Run. Around 75 per cent of registered runners are current Southern Cross students.

2024 Team SCU also features 14 brave runners taking on the Full Marathon (42km), and 40 prepared to smash the Half Marathon (21km).

Last but not least, there will be 9 runners in the 5km Fun Run event who will all be getting active and soaking up the atmosphere of the event.

Go Team SCU!

Recovery Hub

During the Marathon weekend, Southern Cross health students and supervisors will be on call in the popular Recovery Hub. Osteopathy and Exercise Science students will be offering cross-disciplinary treatments, free massage, and facilitating stretching and rolling.

"The Recovery Hub at the Gold Coast Marathon offers our osteopathic students invaluable hands-on experience, enhancing their diagnostic and treatment skills in a real-world setting," said Osteopathy lecturer Kristy Buist.

“This accredited activity counts towards their placement hours, and last year's participants reported increased confidence, professional networking opportunities, and a deep sense of fulfilment. This practical experience is instrumental in shaping well-rounded, competent osteopathic practitioners, " affirmed Ms Buist.

Associate Professor Matthew Leach from the University’s National Centre of Naturopathic Medicine also will be at the Recovery Hub offering a range of herbal teas that support exercise recovery via their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving actions.

"These therapeutic teas have been formulated to help improve immune function (which can be compromised following intense exercise) and help reduce the accumulation of blood lactic acid (which can contribute to muscle fatigue and soreness),” said Associate Professor Leach.

In addition to recovery teas and massages, some of the tips from Associate Professor Leach to improve muscle recovery following intense exercise include staying hydrated, increasing protein consumption, eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and ensuring a good night's sleep.

Similarly, Physiotherapy Course Coordinator Professor Maria Constantinou highlights the importance of nutrition and hydration when training for a marathon: “Adequate preparation with training, nutrition and hydration is key, as well as ensuring you have tested your footwear and clothing prior, to help you enjoy the race and perform better,” said Professor Constantinou.

Professor Constantinou also recommends “seeing a physiotherapist to help manage any pre-existing injuries in order to perform better and prevent future injuries. Physiotherapists assess for and address factors that can be modified to prevent injury and improve performance.”

Professor Constantinou participated recently in the webinar Pillars of Performance: Combining Nutrition, Physiotherapy and Psychology, presented by Southern Cross University and the Gold Coast Marathon. Professor Constantinou was joined by record-breaking runner and Gold Coast Marathon Ambassador Erchana Murray-Bartlett, Southern Cross Chair of Health Sciences Dr Chris Stevens, and Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr Scott Goddard.

A health team from the University will also be available ahead of race weekend (from Thursday 4^th July) at the ASICS Expo, offering pre-race health checks and personalised advice. A new feature this year will be a strapping station to help participants prepare for the race.

Although there are no places left for the Southern Cross University 10km Run, there is still time to participate in the Gold Coast Marathon weekend. Entries in the shorter races are still available here.