Meet
Geoff.
33 years delivering one event. Still pinning his own bib on every Sunday.
I’ve been doing this since 1993.
I’m Geoff. I run the show at Toogoolawah — pin the bibs, mark the laps, mind the kettle. Thirty-three years of Dusk till Dawn and I’m still here, still running too. Gold Coast Marathon nearly every year. Gold Coast 50 too.
How it started
It started in 1993 with a handful of mates, a few headlamps and a paddock at the Toogoolawah Showgrounds. Someone said, “let’s run from dusk to dawn and see who’s still standing.” That was the whole brief.
Thirty-three years later it’s still mostly the same brief. A few more competitors, better timing chips, no more dodgy sandwiches. Geoff still hands out the same advice on the start line — doing what you can is all that matters.
Why he keeps doing it
It’s not about the times. It’s about who shows up. The trackside families. The first-timer who finishes a marathon at 4 in the morning and bursts into tears at the line. The crew on the eskies who clap every lap, every runner, every time.
And it’s about Community Friends. Every entry fee, every cent — it all goes to the charity. That’s been the deal from day one and it’s not changing.
His advice for first-timers
“Walk if you need to. Eat what you brought. Talk to the person next to you. Don’t worry about anyone else’s lap count. The fast ones aren’t having more fun than you — they’re having less time at the food table.”
Where to find him
Trackside in a hi-vis vest, normally. Or on email at geoff@geoffsruns.com.