HOMETOWN HERO, ALEX HARVEY, REFLECTS ON HIS ICONIC VICTORY AT THE 2025 ASICS RUNAWAY NOOSA MARATHON.

After a mere 6.5 years of running experience, Harvey took out the event at 2 hours and 28 minutes, 6 minutes ahead of his nearest rival.

With a competitive running career that debuted just six years ago in 2019 at this very same event, Alex is proud to have developed this success out of a recreational hobby “In 2022 I did my first competitive half marathon and ran 1:06 minutes” he reflects. “I thought to myself, I've only been running for a few years, and I'm just 3-4 minutes behind Australia's best runners. Let's see where I can take this.”

Having competed in the 5km, 10km and the half marathon, this was Alex’s first attempt at the full 42km, and he was evidently feeling the hometown momentum, “It’s a special event for me given it's basically the event that inspired me to start running.” he said.

Originally from Victoria, Harvey, credits his passion for running to the Sunshine Coast climate, “Living here is just the best environment to promote physical activity” he said. The region plays host to numerous successful endurance events, a feat Alex additionally links to an environment and culture that promotes outdoor activities, “Whilst it’s a bit too warm at times for fast times, there are these rare events like this you can do a race, and then go sit on the beach and enjoy the sunshine” he declares.

With a training regime that consists of 160km of running a week, it comes as no surprise that the temperate climate contributes to a boost in motivation. However, much like in any sport, victories like this don’t transpire without a certain level of dedication, something that Alex is certainly not lacking, “My philosophy has always been just keep grinding away and stacking week on week, month on month and I'll build fitness over a long period of time.”

As a full-time chiropractor, Alex’s injury track record is virtually clean, something he credits to his appreciation for leading a healthy lifestyle, “I have a passion for health and wellness, and this translates directly into my life through nutrition, sleep, getting adjusted regularly and other healthy habits”.

Alex effectively takes this trust in his everyday health and wellbeing onto the track, regardless of what external pressures might arise, “For this event, there wasn't much pressure, I had a feeling I was comfortably the fastest in the field, and my goal was just a solid training run” he explains. In turn this incredible self-belief allows his true passion for running to prevail, as he provides himself the mental freedom to enjoy the essence of the sport “Running on home soil is special... I have spent hundreds of hours running these streets (with too many cars on them) so to have the road all to ourselves for the first lap is amazing.”

With the Sunshine Coast (July 25 – August 3) and Berlin (September 21) marathons just around the corner, and after taking victory at his third marathon ever, we certainly would not be surprised to see Alex on the podium in the very near future!

Follow @alexxharvey and @sunshinecoastsports the keep up to date with Alex’s journey, and let’s get down to the Sunshine Coast Marathon to support our local athletes!