FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gold Coast Airport Marathon runners encouraged to be 'early birds'
Two days remain for runners to take advantage of the early bird
registration fees for races at this year's 38th annual Gold Coast Airport
Marathon to be held on the weekend of 2 - 3 July.
Events Management Queensland, the event organiser, has set this year's
early bird entry deadline at midnight this Thursday (28 April).
Events Management Queensland CEO Cameron Hart said the early bird deadline
means that runners can take advantage of lower entry fees and secure their
commitment to this year's event.
"Most running events around the world have an early bird registration
period which enables runners to not only take advantage of lower fees but
also make a personal commitment to training in readiness for their race,"
said Cameron.
"Once you make an official commitment to an event, it can act as a
motivator for you to get out there and do the necessary training and
preparation and give yourself every chance of achieving your personal
goals.
"There are just over nine weeks to go until this year's Gold Coast Airport
Marathon, which presents nine weeks of quality training for all our
participants.
"For guidance, our official event website, goldcoastmarathon.com.au, has
lots of different resources to assist runners in their preparation."
One of those runners is 28-year-old local runner Leesa Habener who will
take on the full 42.195km marathon for the first time.
Leesa, from Coomera, will be on the start line for the Gold Coast Airport
Marathon alongside her brother Matthew Klau and father Dennis Klau.
"My brother and I were inspired to attempt this challenge after Dad
completed his first marathon at the age of 50," said Leesa.
"Dad is the reason why we started running and we have been bitten by the
bug.
"We were there to support him complete his first marathon for his 50th
birthday and now we'll all be doing one together."
Cameron said registration data shows that approximately 30 percent of the
marathon field will be running the 42.195km race for the first time.
"It's an exciting and momentous time training for and then experiencing
your debut marathon," he said.
"I ran my debut marathon a few years ago in Japan and the whole experience
of the preparation and the event stays with you forever.
"The regular training and reward for the constant improvement in your
running ability is extraordinary."
Cameron said Leesa is a great example of where the Gold Coast Airport
Marathon is experiencing growth this year.
"Local numbers for the event are up 10 percent on the same time last year,
and entries in the full 42.195km Gold Coast Airport Marathon are tracking
11 percent up," said Cameron.
"The way we are going, we will reach our quota of marathon and half
marathon runners well before race weekend.
"So I encourage everyone to get in nice and early, take advantage of the
early bird registration fees and secure your spot on the start line for
what has become one of the world's great running events."
The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is organised by Events Management
Queensland, a major event management company wholly owned by the Queensland
Government as part of Tourism and Events Queensland Group.
Set to attract more than 27,000 participants of all ages and abilities,
this year's race program will feature the 42.195km Gold Coast Airport
Marathon, Wheelchair Marathon, ASICS Half Marathon, Wheelchair 15km,
Southern Cross University 10km Run, Suncorp Bank 5.7km Challenge and Zespri
Junior Dash 4km and 2km races.
For the third year, the Gold Coast Airport Marathon has been awarded a
prestigious International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Road
Race Gold Label.
To enter or for more information visit goldcoastmarathon.com.au.
###
|
