For Macquarie University (MQU) student-athlete Campbell Wallace, running the Gold Coast Marathon in July is just the tip of the iceberg.
Campbell Wallace is one of few athletes attempting to complete the Gold Coast Double (63.3km) at the Gold Coast Marathon in Queensland this weekend. The infamous Gold Coast Double involves athletes running the Asics Half Marathon (21.1km) on Saturday 1 July followed by the Gold Coast Marathon (42.2km) the following day.
One of the flattest and most scenic courses to grace the Australian running scene, the Gold Coast Marathon also features a slew of championships including the Oceania Area Marathon, Queensland Athletics Marathon, and most importantly the UniSport Nationals Distance Running Championships.
For Wallace, the course's selling point is only a value-add in his quest to push past his physical limits. In an interview with the Macquarie student, Wallace spoke of his desire to constantly challenge himself to reach greater limits and the pride he feels representing his university.
"I constantly ask myself; how can I challenge myself? how can I make it harder for myself? It excites me to see how far I can push myself with pain (limits)."
The course will begin at the Broadwater Parklands and will take athletes south along the Gold Coast's most scenic beaches to the Burleigh Heads turn point before heading north towards Paradise Point and then being championed into the finishing chute back at the Broadwater Parklands.
For the average person, the idea of reaching a point of pain is enough for them to shy away from whatever it is they are doing. When asked about what happens when he reaches that point of pain Wallace replied admirably.
"I live by a never say die/never give up kind of attitude. Dad has always said no blood, no issue."
The feats of his former triathlete and Ironman father, are Wallace's biggest inspirations alongside Ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes and Ironman Triathlon World Champion Craig Alexander. Starting in Triathlon himself, Wallace found joy in running and continued to take this further by adding weekend marathon events to his triathlon training regime.
"I'll usually wake up and do a one-to-two-hour bike ride and follow it up in the evening with a one-to-two-hour run. On Saturdays, it's usually a long (bike) ride, about 150-200km and then a long run (35km) on Sunday. Throughout the week, I'll try to get into 4-5 running sessions with 1-2 moderate runs and 1-2 speed sessions. It's all pretty self-directed with Dad on the sideline giving me his thoughts."
In addition to his extensive training, Wallace is a full-time student studying a Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Laws degree, currently undertaking an internship with Big Four accounting firm Ernst & Young and is working part-time in the sales industry.
"My life is fairly full on, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I found a good schedule and life structure and have balanced it well. My number one advice to balance it all is to have structure."
This will be the first time that Wallace will attempt the Gold Coast Double having previously completed the Gold Coast Marathon before, and the first time that Wallace will represent Macquarie University. Being no stranger to extreme challenges Wallace wants to next complete an ultramarathon or run the New South Wales coastline, starting in Victoria, and finishing on the Gold Coast by December to see his family for Christmas.
"Campbell is a recent addition to the Macquarie University Sport Scholar Program and we are excited to see him take on this impressive feat of back-to-back half and full marathons at the UniSport Nationals Distance Running in July. We are proud to endorse an athlete with such diligence and determination as a representative of MQU and we wish him luck in his events," said Macquarie University Sport.
About UniSport
UniSport Australia (UniSport) is the peak body for university sport in Australia. 43 universities are members of UniSport, representing a population of over one million students. UniSport’s ambition is to become an integral partner to Australian universities and to deliver an outstanding student experience at our national intervarsity competitions.
More information on UniSport: www.unisport.com.au
For more information please contact:
Kylie Bloodworth
Marketing and Communications Manager
Mobile: 0449 949 916