Media Releases

2 July 2010
Gold Coast tourism operators can expect record international crowds from New Zealand, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia for the 2010 Gold Coast Airport Marathon, Premier Anna Bligh announced today.

Ms Bligh said 24,000 participants were expected for this weekend's Gold Coast Airport Marathon, including 2000 runners from overseas.

"Registrations are on track to set records for the ninth year in a row, cementing the event's status as the largest marathon event held in Australia," she said.

"The Queensland Government will continue to support what has become Australia's largest and most successful marathon event.

"We're expecting around 2000 international visitors from 35 countries to descend on the Gold Coast this weekend.

"The Coast's key international tourism markets will be well represented with more than 1000 Japanese runners and 450 New Zealand runners expected to take part.

"They will experience a wonderful event in a beautiful location and I'm confident they'll go back and tell the world what a great place the Gold Coast is to visit."

The Premier said runners from Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, China and Hong Kong were also strongly represented in this year's pack.

"The Queensland Government recently launched a promotion in China to see the top four Shanghai Marathon 2010 runners invited to participate in the 2011 Gold Coast Airport Marathon," she said.

"The aim is to encourage more Chinese runners to enter the event and is just one example of the sort of targeted overseas marketing that has taken place this year.

"Interstate numbers are also looking strong with runners from New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia increasing 14, 28 and 51 percent respectively.

"Queensland is a great state for sport and it's wonderful to see so many runners travelling to the Gold Coast to take advantage of the fantastic pre and post event holiday packages currently available.

"Accommodation providers in the region are reaping rewards from the event, with many reporting they are at capacity or near capacity over the weekend.

"For the first time this year, the event will be held over two days during the Queensland school holidays to meet that growing demand."

Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said: "As both the Queensland Tourism Minister and Member for Southport, it gives me great pleasure to welcome participants from across Australia and around the world to the Gold Coast for this action-packed weekend," he said.

Mr Lawlor said the Government had worked closely with running clubs, to promote 'all-inclusive event packages' and was also hosting media contingents from around Australia, Taiwan, Japan and Singapore.

Tourism Queensland is also hosting a group of Korean school children and their mothers to the Gold Coast to participate in the event and enjoy some of the region's top attractions.

"Our aim through this initiative is to promote the Gold Coast as a family holiday destination and to introduce the Gold Coast Airport Marathon as a major family event for the holiday season," said the Minister.

"Sporting visitors are a growing tourism segment and that's why this year we have allocated $2 million to promote tourism activities around major sporting events such as the Gold Coast Airport Marathon."

Mr Lawlor said in other activities aimed at positioning the Gold Coast as a major sporting event destination, the Queensland Government recently placed a bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games and later this year the Gold Coast would host the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.

"Both announcements will ensure sporting fans from across Australia and around the world will continue to flock to the region," he said.

"Events such as the Gold Coast Airport Marathon are a wonderful way to showcase the beautiful Gold Coast to the rest of the country and world."

A live webcast of the Gold Coast Airport Marathon will be available from 5.45am AEST on Sunday 4 July from www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au