Next week, a record number of overseas runners will be taking part in the 40th edition of the Gold Coast Marathon. With a few more days left till entries officially close on the 29th of June, more than 4,000 runners from 46 countries have registered for the event, which will take place on 30 June – 1 July 2018.

Organised by Events Management Queensland, a major events management company wholly owned by the Queensland Government as part of Tourism and Events Queensland, the 40th edition of the Gold Coast Marathon will feature eight race categories including the titular Gold Coast Marathon, as well as the ASICS Half Marathon, Wheelchair 15km and the Southern Cross University 10km Run.

Said Kate Jones, Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Queensland, “To have a record number of runners visiting from overseas is a testament to the standard of events we have on the Gold Coast.”

She added, “Events such as the IAAF Gold Label Gold Coast Marathon showcase the region to international visitors and provide runners with a chance to take part in a world-class event in one of the most sought-after tourism destinations on the planet.”

With the 42km race having sold out and other categories selling fast, interest in the Gold Coast Marathon is definitely sky-high.

Said Minister Jones, “Interest in this event is at fever pitch, with the 42km race having sold out and other races selling quickly. We expect to attract more than 7,500 international visitors, including families and supporters. This will give the Gold Coast tourism industry a great boost.”

Continued the Minister, “And with a late surge of entries expected, the event is expecting to generate more than 90,000 visitor nights and up to AUD $27 million – this will be a record economic impact for the Gold Coast.”

Minister Jones also highlighted that the record number of entries from Greater China and South East Asia are major contributing factors to the overall unparalleled International numbers.

She said, “The appeal of this event to runners from China is at an all-time high, luring more than double the number of entries last year. We had one participant from China in 2010 and we have well over 500 this year Record participation in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia also shows the appeal of this event in Asia.”

As well, huge numbers of runners are also expected to fly in from Taiwan, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Macau, while Japan continues once again, to provide the event’s biggest contingent of visiting international runners, according to Jones.

In second and third place respectively are China and Hong Kong. Singapore is fifth on the list.

This growing international interest comes to the delight of Kerry Watson, Events Management Queensland Chairman, who said, “Targeted long-term marketing strategies in collaboration with Tourism and Events Queensland, Gold Coast Airport, City of Gold Coast, Gold Coast Tourism and major sponsors have resulted in unprecedented participation numbers from overseas markets.” 

Watson continued, “The growth we are seeing today is based on the platform we have laid for even more visitors to come and experience the Gold Coast Marathon both this year and in future years.”

And Minister Jones added that the global media exposure of the Gold Coast Marathon has contributed to the increased profile of the event even further.

For instance, the 2017 television highlights programme was broadcast to an estimated two billion viewers overall, resulting in significant international exposure.

Continued the Minister, “And the live stream of the Gold Coast Marathon is available around the world, complementing a significant global audience engaged on social media.”