Gold Coast Airport Marathon achieves highest international accolade

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon has confirmed its position as one of the world’s leading road races after receiving an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Road Race Gold Label.

Acting Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Tracy Davis congratulated the Gold Coast Airport Marathon on being the first marathon in Australia to receive this accolade.

“Every year the sport’s world governing body, the IAAF, awards road race labels to marathons who have met strict criteria for excellence in planning, delivery and execution,” Ms Davis said.

“After achieving an IAAF Road Race Bronze Label last year, it is a tremendous achievement for our home-grown event to now be recognised as one of the best in the world.

“The Gold Coast is now in esteemed international company alongside races such as the New York City Marathon, Tokyo Marathon and Berlin Marathon.

“The new rating is a testament to the event management expertise of the race organisers.

“The Newman Government is proud to support signature events like the Gold Coast Airport Marathon as part of our commitment to double overnight visitor expenditure from $15 billion to $30 billion by 2020.”

Athletics Australia Chief Executive Officer Dallas O’Brien said the IAAF Road Race Gold Label designation showcased Australia’s ability in delivering world-class road races.

“Australia has seen a significant increase in participation levels in marathon running over the past decade and credit must go to the organisation of road races such as the Gold Coast Airport Marathon,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The international recognition of the IAAF Road Race Gold Label will highlight Australia as a country that produces and delivers some of the finest marathon events in the world.”

IAAF Senior Manager – Road Running Sean Wallace-Jones said the Gold Coast Airport Marathon achieved the IAAF Road Race Gold Label after meeting strict criteria.

“The criteria for whether a road race receives a label designation is based on six general areas - race organisation, course measurement, timing and results, media services, medical provisions and the quality of the international field of elite runners,” Mr Wallace-Jones said.

“For instance, the Gold Coast Airport Marathon had to broadcast their race to an international audience which was achieved when the 2013 event was televised in 64 countries.”

For more information visit www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au

[ENDS] 22 January 2014

Minister’s Office Andrew Burke 0439 291 268

Gold Coast Airport Marathon Jacob Bush 0448 188 927