Gold Coast Airport Marathon 2006
FOR THE RECORD 2006 GOLD COAST AIRPORT MARATHON LOOKS GREAT
Date released: Friday 30th June 2006.
WITH less than 48 hours to this Sunday’s (2nd July) 2006 Gold Coast Airport Marathon, the event is already on record-breaking pace.
As Queensland Premier Peter Beattie announced today, the 28th annual event managed by Queensland Events Gold Coast has already broken last year’s participant record of 12,711.
With registrations still open at the Broadwater Parklands race precinct until 2.00pm tomorrow (Saturday), numbers are rising by the hour.
And it’s likely more records could be broken over the weekend with men’s race favourite, Athens Olympian Lee Troop (Vic), making no secret of his intention to attempt to break Brad Camp’s 1989 Coast race record of 2:10:11.
Renowned as one of this country’s toughest distance runners and one of only five Australian runners to run under 2:10 for the marathon – his personal best is a 2:09:49 at Lake Biwa, Japan – Troop says he is looking to again break the ‘magical mark’ and claim his first Australian title.
Under the expert guidance of mentor and coach, Steve Moneghetti, the spectacular Gold Coast course also offers him his first opportunity to set a qualifying mark for the 2007 Osaka World Championships.
According to Queensland Events Gold Coast Chairman, Kerry Watson, Troop will need to beat one of the strongest Gold Coast Airport Marathon international fields in years.
"We’ve received entries from over 30 countries and it’s fair to say the overseas interest is the highest we’ve seen for quite a long time,” Mr Watson said.
“Some 12% to 13% of our Gold Coast Airport Marathon entrants will be internationals, which is quite amazing.
“The Japanese are coming back in ever-increasing numbers – over 1000 will compete on Sunday - and let’s not forget the Kiwis and runners from Africa, the United States, Europe and other parts of Asia who support our Marathon so strongly.
"There’s no doubt at all the Gold Coast Airport Marathon continues to prove its value as a drawcard for the highly lucrative sports tourism market," Mr Watson said.
Queensland Events Gold Coast General Manager, Cameron Hart, said logistical and operational preparations for Sunday were complete.
"All that’s left now is for the starter’s gun to fire and we’re away,” Mr Hart said.
“Our Queensland Events Gold Coast team and a huge army of volunteers have worked tirelessly over the past twelve months and everything’s in place for what is shaping as our most successful event yet,” he said.
Gold Coast City Mayor, Ron Clarke, said the city was once again right behind the Gold Coast Airport Marathon. "It's an iconic event, not just for the Gold Coast, but for the whole of Australia.
"The vision and excitement this event generates across the nation is absolutely astounding and it has the full support of the Gold Coast City Council," he said.
Aside from the feature event - the 42km Gold Coast Airport Marathon - key events also include the Asics Half Marathon, Telstra Country Wide 10 Kilometre Run, Gold Coast Bulletin 7.5 Kilometre Walk and the Norco Pauls Junior Dashes.
The Gold Coast Airport Marathon - the Telstra Australian Marathon Championship - is one of only two Australian events officially recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
It boasts world-ranking accreditation that qualifies athletes for official world records.
For more information call Queensland Events Gold Coast on 07 5564 8733 or race to www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au.
ENDS.
For further information and comment please contact:
Tamara Morris
Communications and Sponsorship Manager
Queensland Events Gold Coast
+61 7 5564 8733
0419 393 608
Wayne Hickson
Hickson Media
+61 7 5591 2556
0407 028 917
Date released: Friday 30th June 2006.
WITH less than 48 hours to this Sunday’s (2nd July) 2006 Gold Coast Airport Marathon, the event is already on record-breaking pace.
As Queensland Premier Peter Beattie announced today, the 28th annual event managed by Queensland Events Gold Coast has already broken last year’s participant record of 12,711.
With registrations still open at the Broadwater Parklands race precinct until 2.00pm tomorrow (Saturday), numbers are rising by the hour.
And it’s likely more records could be broken over the weekend with men’s race favourite, Athens Olympian Lee Troop (Vic), making no secret of his intention to attempt to break Brad Camp’s 1989 Coast race record of 2:10:11.
Renowned as one of this country’s toughest distance runners and one of only five Australian runners to run under 2:10 for the marathon – his personal best is a 2:09:49 at Lake Biwa, Japan – Troop says he is looking to again break the ‘magical mark’ and claim his first Australian title.
Under the expert guidance of mentor and coach, Steve Moneghetti, the spectacular Gold Coast course also offers him his first opportunity to set a qualifying mark for the 2007 Osaka World Championships.
According to Queensland Events Gold Coast Chairman, Kerry Watson, Troop will need to beat one of the strongest Gold Coast Airport Marathon international fields in years.
"We’ve received entries from over 30 countries and it’s fair to say the overseas interest is the highest we’ve seen for quite a long time,” Mr Watson said.
“Some 12% to 13% of our Gold Coast Airport Marathon entrants will be internationals, which is quite amazing.
“The Japanese are coming back in ever-increasing numbers – over 1000 will compete on Sunday - and let’s not forget the Kiwis and runners from Africa, the United States, Europe and other parts of Asia who support our Marathon so strongly.
"There’s no doubt at all the Gold Coast Airport Marathon continues to prove its value as a drawcard for the highly lucrative sports tourism market," Mr Watson said.
Queensland Events Gold Coast General Manager, Cameron Hart, said logistical and operational preparations for Sunday were complete.
"All that’s left now is for the starter’s gun to fire and we’re away,” Mr Hart said.
“Our Queensland Events Gold Coast team and a huge army of volunteers have worked tirelessly over the past twelve months and everything’s in place for what is shaping as our most successful event yet,” he said.
Gold Coast City Mayor, Ron Clarke, said the city was once again right behind the Gold Coast Airport Marathon. "It's an iconic event, not just for the Gold Coast, but for the whole of Australia.
"The vision and excitement this event generates across the nation is absolutely astounding and it has the full support of the Gold Coast City Council," he said.
Aside from the feature event - the 42km Gold Coast Airport Marathon - key events also include the Asics Half Marathon, Telstra Country Wide 10 Kilometre Run, Gold Coast Bulletin 7.5 Kilometre Walk and the Norco Pauls Junior Dashes.
The Gold Coast Airport Marathon - the Telstra Australian Marathon Championship - is one of only two Australian events officially recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
It boasts world-ranking accreditation that qualifies athletes for official world records.
For more information call Queensland Events Gold Coast on 07 5564 8733 or race to www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au.
ENDS.
For further information and comment please contact:
Tamara Morris
Communications and Sponsorship Manager
Queensland Events Gold Coast
+61 7 5564 8733
0419 393 608
Wayne Hickson
Hickson Media
+61 7 5591 2556
0407 028 917
posted by Friar at Friday, June 30, 2006
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