Abstract
Sleep has been considered as an important factor associated with optimal sporting performance. Although anecdotal evidence suggesting that sports performers commonly suffer from disrupted sleep prior to competition, limited empirical evidence exists to substantiate such claims. Specifically, there is a lack of research focused on athletes' precompetitive sleep behaviour in terms sleep quality, frequency and extent of wakeful bouts, and what factors athletes report to wake them during the night thus preventing them from obtaining adequate sleep. To further the current body of knowledge, competitors were surveyed at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon event series regarding their sleep behaviour the night prior to that competition.