The GC Marathon from a Helicopter
Gold Coast Marathon 2026: Photographing Australia’s Biggest Running Event… From a Helicopter!.
Every year I think the Gold Coast Marathon couldn’t possibly get any better to photograph.
Then this year happened.
This was my 4th year photographing the Gold Coast Marathon, and just when I thought I’d experienced every angle of this incredible event, I was given an opportunity I’ll never forget—I was asked to photograph it from a helicopter.
As an event photographer on the Gold Coast, I get to work at some amazing events, but this was something completely different.
As the first wave of runners left the start line, we lifted off above Southport and followed the course as it wound its way towards Sea World before sweeping back down the coastline through Main Beach and Surfers Paradise. Watching wave after wave of runners stream along the coastline from above was something I’ll never forget. With four separate start waves and a record-breaking field of 15,000 entrants in the marathon and 42,000 across the race weekend, the scale of the event was incredible. It’s no wonder the Gold Coast Marathon continues to grow into one of Australia’s premier sporting events.
One of the best parts of being in the helicopter was that I wasn’t just along for the ride. I could work with the pilot, choosing different heights, angles and locations to capture the story of the morning. Every few minutes the view completely changed. Looking one way there were thousands of runners stretching for kilometres along the course. Looking the other way, the sun was rising over the Pacific Ocean, lighting up the Gold Coast in that beautiful morning glow we’re lucky enough to get this time of year.
To make the morning even more memorable, we spotted whales breaching just off the coastline while we were photographing. It was one of those ‘pinch me’ moments.
After landing, there wasn’t much time to stop and think about how incredible the morning had been. I jumped on my e-bike and headed to the main event precint, photographing sponsor activations, crowd atmosphere, presentations, celebrations and all the little moments that make an event like this so much more than just a race.
One of the things I love most about photographing major events is that every image has a purpose. Yes, there are the hero shots, but there are also the interactions between volunteers and runners, families cheering from the sidelines, sponsors connecting with participants and those emotional moments at the finish line. They’re the photographs that help tell the complete story of the event and become part of its marketing, media coverage and history.
It’s hard to believe this was my fourth year photographing the Gold Coast Marathon, and I genuinely don’t take opportunities like this for granted. To be trusted to document one of the Gold Coast’s biggest annual events year after year is something I’m incredibly grateful for. Being asked to photograph it from a helicopter this year was just the icing on the cake.
I’ve shared a few of my favourite images below, and I hope they give you a little glimpse into what was an unforgettable morning—and one of the most exciting assignments I’ve had the privilege of photographing.
