Ryan McDonald, the Race Director of the Gold Coast Marathon, exudes a genuine passion for witnessing individuals achieve their sporting dreams. With over two decades of experience in managing major sporting events in Queensland, McDonald finds immense joy in the emotional moments when participants cross the finish line, especially at the Gold Coast Marathon.
Recognized at the QSport awards for his unwavering commitment to delivering top-notch sporting events, McDonald’s career milestone includes successfully organizing the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games as the Manager of the Athletics Road Events. The experience of hosting a global event with diverse participants and ideas remains a standout moment in his professional journey.
One of the most memorable highlights for McDonald was witnessing young Australian athlete Jemima Montag clinch a gold medal at the 20-kilometer race walk during the Commonwealth Games, marking a significant breakthrough in her career. McDonald takes pride in being part of Montag’s journey, seeing her progress to win an Olympic medal in Paris.
Throughout his career, McDonald has encountered unique and amusing incidents at various events, such as participants running barefoot and backward or carrying a mattress along the marathon course. He cherishes heartwarming moments like a couple getting married on a softball diamond at the Pan Pacific Masters Games after meeting there while competing.
Appointed as the Race Director for the Gold Coast Marathon in 2023, McDonald has introduced innovations like wheelchair racing, expanded event capacity, and revitalized the Toowoomba Marathon. Despite his professional success, McDonald remains humble, emphasizing the importance of enjoying every aspect of event management, even the less glamorous tasks like moving crowd control barriers on sandy beaches.
While attending other events, McDonald finds it challenging to switch off from work mode, constantly observing and evaluating different aspects of event organization. He emphasizes the significance of embracing the busy and sometimes chaotic nature of the job, highlighting that genuine enjoyment is key to thriving in the sports event management industry.
As a proud supporter of QSport, the Department of Sport, Racing, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games plays a vital role in fostering the development of sports in Queensland. Through their collaboration, they aim to create more success stories in the realm of sports and continue to inspire individuals to pursue their athletic aspirations.
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