FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gold Coast Readies for Record Influx of Marathon Runners
This weekend's Gold Coast Airport Marathon has already broken new ground
with a record number of participants set to challenge themselves in one of
Queensland's ever-growing major events.
With entries still open until 9pm tomorrow (Friday), the total number of
runners will go close to 28,000 – an increase of over 3,000 from last year,
Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Jann Stuckey, announced today.
Ms Stuckey said the record entry figures this year were a fantastic result
for the marathon as well as for Queensland.
"More than 27,200 participants had registered by lunch time today to take
part in the Gold Coast Airport Marathon this weekend, including over 7,000
from interstate and 2,160 from overseas," said Ms Stuckey.
"These participation numbers demonstrate the popularity of the event both
nationally and overseas – shining a spotlight on the Gold Coast as a
premier event and tourist destination.
"The Gold Coast Airport Marathon has established itself as a highlight on
Queensland's major event calendar; increasing entry figures every year
since Events Queensland Gold Coast took over its management – from 7,960 in
2001 to what will be close to 28,000 this year."
The Gold Coast Airport Marathon will not only showcase the region to
runners from 31 countries taking part this year but also to more than 100
countries via the event's television and webcast coverage.
"The Newman Government understands that tourism is a vital part of the
state's economy and has identified it as one of the four key pillars that
will drive Queensland's growth," said Ms Stuckey.
"That is why your government is investing in events like the Gold Coast
Airport Marathon as part of our goal to establish Queensland as Australia's
number one tourist destination."
The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is supported by the Queensland Government
through Events Queensland as part of a growing calendar of sporting,
cultural and regional events.
On the Gold Coast, the event calendar also features the Pan Pacific Masters
Games, Castrol EDGE Rugby Championship, Magic Millions Race Day and
Carnival, Netfest, Gold Coast Sevens – Fever Pitch, Armor All Gold Coast
600, and the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Visit www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au this weekend for a live webcast and
results of the 34th annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon.
Key Entry Statistics
·Over 7,000 residents of the Gold Coast will take part demonstrating the
Gold Coast as a healthy and active community.
·The overseas countries where most runners this year are coming from are:
Japan (716), New Zealand (467), Singapore (308), United States (175),
Malaysia (155), Taiwan (99), Hong Kong (80) and China (52).
·The race-by-race entries are currently: Gold Coast Airport Marathon (5705),
ASICS Half Marathon (9660), Southern Cross University 10km Run (6654),
Queensland Health 5.7km Challenge (3777) and Dreamworld Junior Dash (1402).
·There are 150 different teams participating this weekend, comprising 54
corporate teams, 30 fitness teams and 66 social teams.
Other Key Facts
·More than 170 media have been accredited for the event including over 70
international journalists from Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong
Kong, China and Portugal.
·There are more than 1,100 volunteers as part of the event's Suncorp Bank
Volunteer Program, many recruited through 40 local community groups.
·The Gold Coast Airport Marathon could break the record for the most number
of finishers in an Australian marathon event on Sunday. The record is held
by the Melbourne Marathon which had 5,073 finishers in 2010.
·More than $360,000 has been raised for charity by runners in this year's
Gold Coast Airport Marathon.
·The Gold Coast Airport Marathon has won the Major Event/Festival category
at the past three Queensland Tourism Awards and has been inducted into its
Hall of Fame.
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