The Gold Coast Marathon draws thousands of runners every year, from first-timers ticking off a bucket list goal to seasoned athletes chasing a personal best. It’s one of the great events on the local calendar, and if you’re taking part, the months of training you’ve put in deserve to carry you across the finish line well.
But marathon training is hard on the body. And for a lot of runners, the weeks leading up to race day involve managing something: a knee that’s been grumbling, a calf that tightens up around the 15km mark, or a hip that wasn’t a problem six months ago and now very much is.
This is where physio for runners can make a real difference.
What does a physio actually do for runners?
Consulting a Physiotherapist about running isn’t just about treating injuries. We can assess any aches and pains you experience when running, and try to identify mobility issues or muscle and strength imbalance you may experience.It’s about understanding how your body is moving, identifying any structures that are under strain, and giving you practical guidance to address it before it becomes a bigger problem.
At Balance Physio, a physio assessment typically includes a review of your current symptoms and training load, an assessment of your movement, strength, and flexibility, and specific advice on what to do between now and race day.
If you’re carrying a niggle, the goal isn’t to tell you to stop running. It’s to help you understand what’s happening and manage it intelligently so you can keep training and race well.
Common running issues we see before marathon season
The lower limb takes the brunt of marathon training. Some of the most common issues we see in the lead-up to the GC Marathon include:
Knee pain including patellofemoral pain and iliotibial band tightness, which tend to flare with increased mileage. We’ve written more about runner’s knee and what causes it here.
Achilles and calf issues which often develop gradually and are easy to train through until they’re not.
Shin splints and stress reactions particularly in runners who have ramped up their training load quickly. If you’re not sure whether what you’re feeling is a shin splint or something more serious, that post is worth a read.
Hip and glute pain which can affect your running gait and lead to compensatory issues elsewhere if left unaddressed.
None of these are reasons to automatically stop training. But all of them benefit from early assessment and the right management approach.
What about post-marathon recovery?
Crossing the finish line is a huge achievement. It’s also a significant physical event, and how you recover in the days and weeks that follow matters.
Post-race, your body needs time and the right support to repair well. A physio session after the marathon can help you understand what needs attention, guide your return to activity, and make sure anything that flared during the race is properly assessed rather than just rested and ignored.
If you’re planning to keep running through winter, getting a proper post-race assessment is a smart investment in your next training block. Our post on returning to training after the marathon has more guidance on pacing your recovery well.
What about hamstring and calf strains?
These deserve a mention of their own. Hamstring strains are among the most common running injuries we treat, and calf strains are a close second. Both tend to occur when the muscle is fatigued or the training load has increased too quickly. If you’ve had either of these before, a pre-race assessment is particularly worthwhile.
Hamstring tendinopathy is a related but distinct issue, and one that runners often mistake for a straightforward strain. If your hamstring pain sits more at the top of the muscle near the sitting bone rather than through the belly of the muscle, it’s worth reading up on the difference.
Ankle health and marathon running
A history of ankle sprains is worth flagging to your physio before a marathon. Old ankle injuries that weren’t fully rehabilitated can affect your running mechanics and increase load on other structures further up the chain. If your ankle has a tendency to roll or feels unstable on uneven ground, that’s something to address before you take on 42 kilometres.
When should you book in for physio before a marathon?
Ideally, before race day. If you’re carrying any pain, tightness, or niggles, the sooner you get them assessed the more options you have. There’s a lot a physio can do in two to four weeks, and very little they can do the day before the race.
That said, it’s never too late. Post-race assessments are just as valuable, and if you’ve been managing something for a while and kept putting off dealing with it, the marathon is a good prompt to finally get it sorted.
Book a physio assessment at Balance Physio
Get to the start line with a clearer picture of where your body is at, with Balance Physio.
Have questions before booking? Give us a call. We’re happy to help.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be injured to see a physio before the marathon?
Not at all. A pre-race assessment is just as useful for runners who feel fine but want to make sure nothing is being overlooked. It’s a chance to identify any areas of weakness or tightness that could become a problem under race-day load, before they do.
How close to race day is too late to see a physio?
There’s no hard cutoff, but the earlier the better. A physio can do a lot in two to four weeks. In the final few days before the race, the focus shifts to what’s manageable in the short term rather than what can be properly addressed. If you’re carrying something, don’t wait.
Can physio help with recovery after the marathon?
Yes. Post-race, your body has been through significant load and needs the right support to repair well. A physio can assess anything that flared during the race, guide your return to activity, and help you avoid the common mistake of either doing too much too soon or doing too little for too long.
About the Author
Ana Minguez Zuazo is a Senior Physiotherapist at Balance Physio with over 10 years’ experience in Women’s Health, pelvic health, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, supporting clients with personalised, evidence-based care.
