100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Coast runner preparing for Chicago Marathon debut with sights set on 2032 Olympics

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Retrospective approval sought for depot beside motorway

An application to convert a rural block into a transport depot is now open for public notification, with the retrospective plans lodged in response More

Industrial site sells for $3.4m in off-market deal

A freestanding industrial facility has fetched $3.4 million in an off-market transaction, highlighting the ongoing strength of the Sunshine Coast market. The sale of the More

$250k makeover for supported living home

Five housemates have moved back into their supported independent living house after a five-month, $250,000 renovation to refresh and modernise their ‘family’ home. Buderim housemates More

Ashley Robinson: Big losses to our community

I probably didn’t realise how the new-age digital world would impact simple but important things that we normally take for granted. What I am on More

Photo of the day: stunning sunrise

Sunrise at Cotton Tree, as photographed by Julianne Hutley. If you have a photo of the day offering, email photo@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. Photos must be horizontal/landscape and More

Deadly snake found far from home sparks investigation

A highly venomous snake has been found far from its usual range, sparking a rare job for snake handlers and an investigation by authorities. A More

A 16-year-old Sunshine Coast local is gearing up to run in the Chicago Marathon later this month.

Buderim resident Willem Curwood has only taken up competitive running relatively recently.

“I started running back in Victoria about two years ago with some friendly competition against one of my mates at parkrun,” Willem said.

“I kept doing it and started winning it. Slowly I took up the passion of running and haven’t looked back.”

Willem holds a number of national accolades.

“I won the Noosa under-18 half-marathon in 85 minutes, and recently won a Sunshine Coast Sports Next Gen Athlete Award,” he said.

Willem crosses the finish line at Noosa.

Willem is excited to take up the challenge of running his first marathon.

“As the last week of training comes up, I am so keen to be at a world-class event running a course that holds the world record (set by Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum in 2023),” Willem said.

“Sixty thousand runners and over two million spectators will line up.

“It’s been a hard last 16-week training block coming into this race and I am so excited to jet off to Chicago.

“All around this year has been a huge year and just shows me that the sky’s the limit.”

Willem has some exciting future running aspirations after the marathon, with his sights set on Brisbane 2032.

“I am still very young but have my sights on completing all of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors (Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York) and leaning towards qualifying for the Boston Marathon,” he said.

“I have my long-term sights on competing in the 2032 Olympic Games in my home town.”

Willem in action in the Noosa half-marathon.

Willem is hoping to finish the race in three hours 15 minutes, and thanked his family and friends for their support.

“I would like to thank everyone for all the help over the last training block, from coaches to physios, friends and, finally, family of course,” he said.

The race starts at 10.35pm (Queensland time) on Sunday, October 13. People can track Willem Curwood’s live progress by downloading the marathon app and typing in “Willem Curwood”.

Kelsey Reid is a journalism intern with Sunshine Coast News.

Like stories about Sunshine Coast people doing great things? Help us deliver more by registering for our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your email below.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share