FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gold Coast Airport Marathon prepared with extensive medical services
Refer to the second media release below on the Gold Coast Airport
Marathon's world leading medical practices and technology.
With close to 27,000 participants set to take part in this weekend's Gold
Coast Airport Marathon, event organisers are continuing to deliver world
standard event safety and medical practices.
A dedicated 'mini hospital' in the event's Nu-Pure Recovery Area with
doctors, nurses and physiotherapists; Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS)
paramedics on course; St Johns first aid responders at the finish line;
and, SES members, comprise many of the medical and safety personnel for
this major Queensland event.
Director of Intensive Care Gold Coast University Hospital Dr Brent Richards
has been director of the internal medical centre or 'mini hospital' at the
Gold Coast Airport Marathon for more than 10 years.
Dr Richards said the event medical centre, which consists of two
coordinators, six doctors, 10 nurses and six finish line staff, is a 'mini
hospital' on site prepared to treat thousands of runners over the weekend.
"Our team is all set for this year's event," Dr Richards said. "We've been
doing it for a number of years, so it is a prepared and well-oiled machine."
"There is so much work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure the safety
of our participants and we will continue to innovate as we head towards the
Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games."
To ensure the health and safety of runners and spectators, the QAS will
have resources along the course of each race across the weekend.
QAS Gold Coast Operations Supervisor Stuart Cutajar said they are providing
six vehicles and 12 paramedics on Saturday, and 11 vehicles and 22
paramedics on Sunday.
"In addition, we'll have a Forward Commander overseeing our resources on
site, an officer stationed in the Joint Emergency Services Coordination
Centre (JESCC) and a specialist Argo all-terrain vehicle to give us access
to all areas around the course."
"Our resources will be spread throughout the course, from Drake Avenue in
Paradise Point south to the marathon southern turn at First Avenue in
Burleigh Heads, to support the participants at any stage of the event and
to assist any residents on or near the course in an emergency situation."
As in previous years, QAS paramedics expect to treat a wide range of
injuries and illnesses this weekend ranging from minor injuries such as
blisters, strains and sprains, through to more serious conditions.
Stuart, who will compete in Saturday's Southern Cross University 10km Run
before donning his uniform to work at the event on Sunday, reminded
everyone attending the marathon to be sun-smart and stay well hydrated.
"Whether you are competing in an event or enjoying it as a spectator,
remember that sun protection is a must, and please ensure you drink plenty
of water, even if it doesn't feel hot," he said.
"If you experience difficulties during the event, please seek medical
attention from a QAS paramedic, St Johns volunteers, SES members or event
staff."
"If there is no support in your immediate vicinity, you may need to ask a
spectator to help you contact Triple Zero (000) and advise the Emergency
Medical Dispatcher you are competing in the event."
To further assist with the protection of participants and spectators on
course, the Gold Coast Airport Marathon also employs more than 400 road
marshals, traffic controllers and Queensland Police Service officers to man
the Gold Coast streets and driveways along the course.
Gold Coast Airport Marathon Medical & Safety Practices
Internal Medical Centre comprising two coordinators, six doctors, 10 nurses
and six finish line staff Queensland Ambulance Service comprising six
vehicles and 12 paramedics on Saturday, and 11 vehicles and 22 paramedics
on Sunday. St Johns Ambulance first aid responders located at every aid
station and roam the course on bicycles Athlete Support Vehicles travel up
and down the course attending to participants requiring medical attention
or transport to the External Medical Centre QAS responders, SES volunteers
and St Johns Ambulance first aiders stationed at the finish line
Nu Pure Recovery Area comprising the Internal Medical Centre, physiotherapy
centre, first aid tent, misting arch, fruit, water and Endura Rehydration
Formula 17 aid stations less than three kilometres apart providing water,
Endura Rehydration Formula and gels and 'self-service' band aids and
vaseline. Weather and temperature signage at every five kilometre aid
station updated every hour from 8am 400+ road marshals, traffic controllers
and Queensland Police Service Officers man the Gold Coast streets and
entry/exit of driveways along the course RFID technology in conjunction
with the on-course timing system to locate participants on and off the
course (see separate story)
Media Release - Australia's most runner friendly and safety conscious
The Gold Coast Airport Marathon will implement world leading technology and
ground-breaking safety practices to ensure the well-being of its
competitors and spectators at this year's event on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5
July.
Australia's leading marathon will utilise a cutting-edge medical scanning
and RFID technology in conjunction with the on-course timing system to
assist with the identification of more than 27,000 participants on and off
the course.
Gold Coast Airport Marathon CEO Cameron Hart said the system, which was
first used at the 2013 event, goes above and beyond strict industry
standards applied by the International Association of Athletics Federations
(IAAF) and Association of International Marathons and Distance Races
(AIMS).
"From advanced medical scanning technology and RFID tracking to
forward-thinking traffic management and detailed aid station assistance,
the Gold Coast Airport Marathon continually aims to employ innovative and
ground-breaking safety measures," Mr Hart said.
"Our leading track and scan system enables event officials to identify the
location of a participant on and off the course accurately and efficiently
at all times via a Chrono Track B-Tag located on participant's race
numbers."
"The unique barcode on the front of each race number is used by event
personnel to scan participants in and out of key medical locations which is
then stored in a secure database. Staff use this data to find a quick
resolution to issues relating to the whereabouts of a specific participant."
"The end-goal is to provide participants and their loved ones peace of mind
that if injury or illness occurs on course they'll be attended to in a
quick, efficient and professional manner."
Director of Intensive Care Gold Coast University Hospital Dr Brent
Richards, who is the director of the internal medical centre for the event,
said the event's ability to innovate its medical processes has positively
impacted participants and their supporters.
"Before we had the Chrono Track B-Tag system we spent more time and
resources on dealing with people looking for their family members or
friends running,' Dr Richards said."
"The innovative application of RFID tracking systems saves us so much time
and takes away the guess work of locating runners. We can now be more
definite with either a yes, they are in the recovery area for example or no
they are still on course."
"The event not only values the safety of its participants but it also
values the work of its medical team and the Gold Coast University Hospital.
It [Gold Coast Airport Marathon] continues to help us strive for excellence
and aspire to be more efficient and effective in how we handle our medical
process over race weekend."
IMPORTANT NOTE: Event Organisers wish to ensure local residents who live
along or near the course that emergency services access to their residence
will not be impacted by the event over the weekend.
The Gold Coast Airport Marathon will be held on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5
July in one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world in
Queensland, Australia.
It is set to attract more than 27,000 participants of all ages and
abilities across a number of events including the Gold Coast Airport
Marathon, Wheelchair Marathon, ASICS Half Marathon, Wheelchair 15km,
Southern Cross University 10km Run, Suncorp Bank 5.7km Challenge and Junior
Dash 4km & 2km races.
To enter or for more information visit goldcoastmarathon.com.au
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