<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Hundreds of participants gathered today to collect their race essentials for tomorrow's Gold Coast Marathon.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The event has seen significant engagement from both local and visiting runners, as well as businesses capitalising on the influx of people.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Andy Buchanan, the 2024 winner, said he welcomed the competition.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/money-news-new-finder-survey-reveals-millions-of-australians-relying-on-inheritance-due-to-cost-of-living-crisis-for-major-financial-milestones-such-as-purchasing-a-home-and-retirement/6d3e4036-21fa-4061-a0ff-739766cb14f8"><strong><span>Millions of Australians relying on an inheritance to achieve major financial goals</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"A lot of people play different mind games and I quite enjoy that and I know there's quite a bit of competition," Buchanan said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Isaac Heyne, who placed second said this year he was "aiming to get the win".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I came second to Andy last year, and yeah hopefully we can do one better this year," he said.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/gold-coast-marathon-local-international-runners-local-business-on-board-queensland-sport-news/8a0b4e0f-78fe-42fc-8052-2ff7ffbf38fc" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Local businesses are also getting in the spirit.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ed Hatcher from Alfred's Apartment said the bar was doing an "electrolyte granita" and "custom kits".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This time we've kind of gone bigger and got a bit more interesting."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Gemelli Italian restaurant has partnered with running group Pace Athletic to provide pre-race meals.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Everyone comes to Gemelli for the carb load, pizza, and pasta so we thought why not get involved, bring the community together," Gemelli's Alec Carney said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Road closures are in effect from Paradise Point to Miami, from 3.30am.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>No parking is available along the course.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>This article was produced with the assistance of</span></em><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/9express/16480c33-636a-461f-9c4f-d0e2522c722a"><em><span>9ExPress</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>