Local Legends

Bendigo Dominates Gold Coast: Andy Buchanan and Matt Buckell Shine in Record‑Breaking Weekend 

Gold Coast’s Super Saturday at the 2025 ASICS Gold Coast Marathon Festival became a showcase for Bendigo’s distance‑running talent, with two homegrown athletes and training partners topping the podium in thrilling style.

Andy Buchanan

Representing Bendigo, Andy Buchanan ran the China Airlines Half Marathon on Saturday, 5 July 2025, clocking an exceptional 1:01:08. That time broke a 33‑year‑old Gold Coast course record and shattered the Australian “all‑comers” half marathon record previously set in 1994 at 1:01:11 by Pat Carrol.

Andy edged out a world‑class field that included Japan’s Kenya Sonota (1:01:09) and Naoya Sakuda (1:01:11), and Isaac Heyne (1:01:18) with only ten seconds separating the top four finishers.

This was Buchanan’s second consecutive Gold Coast half win, and a milestone moment in Australian distance running. 

Matt Buckell – Breakthrough Win in the 10 km

Just hours later, Matt Buckell, dominated the Southern Cross University 10 km Run, recording a winning time of 29:13. 

It marked his first victory as an ASICS athlete and his third attempt at Gold Coast paid off in stunning fashion. Matt surged around the 5 km mark and held off strong competition, including Olympian Matthew Clarke (second in 29:30) and Adrian Potter (third in 29:33).

Speaking to Matt after the race, it was clear how much the race meant to him, stating that "It's such a pinch-me moment. We used to come to the Gold Coast Marathon as kids and lose our minds over the elite runners coming over the finish line. Feels so good to win one" - Matt Buckell. 

----

We see the work that Andy and Matt put in day in, day out, and could not be more proud of their achievements. The Bendigo running community is so lucky to have these two boys inspiring the younger generations of runners coming through.