Sports + Fitness
An estimated 27,500 running enthusiasts are expected to take part in the 39th Gold Coast Airport Marathon, which will be held 1 and 2 July 2017. A record number of overseas competitors has signed up.
Thousands of overseas runners will take part in the event. Another 60,000 spectators and supporters will line the 2,500 kilometre course.
Nearly 1,000 athletes from Greater China will take part. Competitors from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and other Southeast Asian countries are also registering in record numbers.
Registration for the event will remain open until 1 July.
Other events will include a Wheelchair Marathon; ASICS Half Marathon; Wheelchair 15km; Southern Cross University 10km Run; Suncorp Bank 5.7km Challenge; Zespri 4km Junior Dash and Zespri 2km Junior Dash.
Proceeds will go to the Cancer Council Queensland. More than A$600,000 has been raised for the charity over the last decade.
Best mates Chris Evans and Antony Sedman, who only took up running in 2015, competed in more than 30 endurance events in 2016.
“With our chosen events and weekly training, we’ll run approximately 2,500 kilometres” says Chris, who only took up running last year.
“Even though we ended up running eight big events last year – one marathon, two 30km events, four half marathons and a 10 kilmotre – in the space of six months, we feel we can do more this year and run larger and more unique races to keep us out of our comfort zone.”
The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is the first marathon course in Australia to hold an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Road Race Gold Label, placing it in the same league as the marathons in New York, Boston, and London.
Another major sporting event will be held on the Gold Coast later in the year.
The Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival will be held in October.
The festival is the largest Olympic-distance triathlon in the world. A record 6,118 people competed in the full marathon in 2015.
You Might Also Like
- Gold Coast Town Recycles the Fabulous Fifties!
- Top Badminton Players Compete in Sydney!