FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gold Coast Airport Marathon entries race past 5,000
This year's Gold Coast Airport Marathon is set to attract its largest field
in its 30 year history with entries passing 5,000 today and on track to
surpass 18,000 by race day, Sunday 6 July.
Gold Coast resident Natasha Rogers became the 5000th person to enter this
year with the 29-year-old set to participate in the Gold Coast Bulletin
7.5km Walk.
Gold Coast Airport Marathon General Manager Cameron Hart said at the
current rate of entry, this year's participation will not only exceed last
year's record of 16,172 but also the 2008 target of 18,000.
"It is really encouraging to pass the 5,000 entry mark with 40 days still
to go before the event," said Hart.
"We are well above last year's entry level with the same number of days to
go, so we're working on maintaining the momentum and delivering the biggest
and best Gold Coast Airport Marathon yet.
"Generally more and more people are out there running and walking, and this
has translated into more people entering mass participation major events
like the Gold Coast Airport Marathon.
"We encourage people to enter before next Wednesday 4 June to take
advantage of the cheaper entry fees. A late fee applies from next Thursday
and late entries will be accepted right through until Saturday 5 July."
Already entries have come in from 20 countries including (in alphabetical
order) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong,
Indonesia, Japan, Jersey, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, New
Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Vanuatu and
Vietnam.
The youngest competitor so far in the Gold Coast Airport Marathon Junior
Dash is Newcastle's Patrick Bognar who will celebrate his fifth birthday on
race day (five is the minimum age for the Junior Dash). While the most
senior member of the field to date is Gold Coast Bulletin 7.5km Walk
participant Bill Cumming from the Gold Coast who will be 82 by the time of
the event.
Hart said a major focus this week was on school-aged participants with the
regional schools cross country carnival being held on Thursday 29 May.
"Some of the most talented primary and secondary school runners will
contest the South Coast Schools Cross Country carnival at Runaway Bay this
week," said Hart.
"We are a major supporter of this event to promote junior development of
running on the Gold Coast. Many of these students will go on to participate
in one of our Gold Coast Airport Marathon races either this year or in the
future."
The 30th Gold Coast Airport Marathon will be held on Sunday 6 July, and
will feature the 42.2km Gold Coast Airport Marathon, 21.1km Asics Half
Marathon, Southern Cross University 10km Run, Gold Coast Bulletin 7.5km
Walk and the 4km and 2.25km Gold Coast Airport Marathon Junior Dash.
People can enter the Gold Coast Airport Marathon at
www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au or receive an entry form from the office on
phone (07) 5564 8733.
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