Isaiah Koopmans When the starter gun sounds at this year's Southern Cross University 10km Run at the Gold Coast Marathon, Isaiah Koopmans will aim to keep the pace car in sight in hopes of a personal best time.
As a triathlete, Isaiah is the current Australian 20-24-year-old National Champion of the standard distance triathlon event, which involves a 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run.
This May he is pushing himself even further, training for his first ever half Ironman distance triathlon (70.3 miles, 113km), before he switches gears and dons the Team SCU singlet to take on his favourite running-only event in July - the Southern Cross University 10km Run.
Isaiah studies Marine Science and Environmental Science at Southern Cross University's Coffs Harbour campus, and says following two years of COVID-restriction interruptions, he cannot wait to pound the pavement of the Gold Coast again.
"Joining Team SCU for the Gold Coast Marathon weekend is always a highlight of the off-season from my regular training," Isaiah says.
"Right now, I am gearing up for the half ironman, after which I'll take a short recovery period before spending roughly eight weeks preparing for this shorter 10km running event.
"Not only is the Gold Coast Marathon event a fast and flat course, but the atmosphere at this event is unreal from both an athlete and spectator perspective, and it allows me to meet with and compete against fellow SCU teammates as well, who study across Coffs Harbour, Lismore and Gold Coast campuses and online as well.
"My personal best at this 10km Run event was the last time I competed in 2019, which was just on 34 minutes, so this year I am aiming to run around 31 to 32 minutes."
Isaiah competed for Australia at the ITU World Triathlon Championships back in 2018 where he placed sixth in the under 20 men's category, and since then has gone from strength to strength - not allowing any recent COVID restrictions slow down his training and progress.
Isaiah recently filmed a video introduction to share his story and game plan heading into the Southern Cross University 10km Run event.
Stay tuned to @SouthernCrossUni instagram account for more training updates from Isaiah and other Southern Cross University students as they gear up for the 2022 Gold Coast Marathon event held 2-3 July 2022, proudly sponsored by Southern Cross University.
