Records broken on and off the course at historic Gold Coast Marathon

Records were set on and off the track at this weekend’s Gold Coast Marathon as 27,135 people from 51 countries took part in Australia’s greatest running festival.
 
Celebrating the 40th edition of the event, Kenya’s Kenneth Mungara and Ruth Chebitok won the men’s and women’s Gold Coast Marathon as four race records fell across the eight races over the weekend.
 
Tourism Innovation Development Minister Kate Jones said the 40th Gold Coast Marathon was a huge success, presenting a great image of Queensland to a global audience.
 
“We’ve seen some truly remarkable performances this weekend from Kenneth Mungara and Ruth Chebitok winning the Gold Coast Marathon along with tens of thousands of everyday runners achieving personal goals,” she said.
 
“In addition to four race records falling, the event attracted a participation record of over 4,300 international runners.

“This includes record numbers from China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Macau and New Zealand, plus strong support from Japan and the United States.
 
“It was great to see a record of more than 400 teams taking part from corporate to school, fitness and community groups.”
 
Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister and Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said this year’s Gold Coast Marathon has delivered an estimated $27 million in economic impact and more than 90,000 visitor nights for Queensland.

“The Gold Coast Marathon has gone from strength to strength in the last few years and thanks to the great exposure of the Commonwealth Games, we sold out the main race and broke economic impact records in 2018,” she said.

“Future years are in good shape too with the positive exposure the event has generated through a live webcast, social media, as well as the strong international media contingent in attendance.

“Thousands of people round the world tune in to follow the Gold Coast Marathon – we know this kind of exposure will deliver a great boost to the local tourism industry.

“For every dollar we invest in major events, we generate about $10 for Queensland’s tourism economy. That’s why the Palaszczuk Government is committed to investing in events like the Gold Coast Marathon.”
 
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones acknowledged the 1,200-strong volunteer team for supporting the delivery of an exceptional Gold Coast Marathon, recognised globally as an IAAF Gold Label Road Race.
 
“It’s amazing the work that goes in to plan and deliver the Gold Coast Marathon and without the volunteer team, an event of this magnitude could not take place,” she said.
 
“There is so much passion in everyone involved the event from the event staff, volunteers, sponsors, charities, local residents and businesses and of course, the participants.”
 
ENDS

Media contact: 0419 620 447