Mackay Marina run ready to hit streets

THE Mackay Marina Run is just a wekk away and it looks as though the race will have just as many runners as it did last year.

2 min read

May 27, 2017 - 7:00AM

Mackay Marina Run ambassador Benita Willis in last year's event. Picture: Tony Martin

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THE Mackay Marina Run is just a week away and it looks as though the race will have just as many runners as it did last year.

The annual event started in 2006 as a single half marathon race for the NQ games with only 40 participants.

But now it has ballooned out to a huge event on the racing calendar and includes the original half marathon, an 8km run, a team race known as the Corporate Challenge, a 5km Fun Run and the 3km junior dash.

As the event has grown, so has the number of runners, Last year there were 3000 in total, and 400 participating in the half marathon.

Road Runners president and organiser of the Mackay Marina Run, Tim Magoffin, said organisers had two goals in mind when they created the event - fitness, and raising money for the Mackay branch of the Leukemia foundation.

"I guess it's a dual purpose really, Mackay Road Runners are always encouraging people through health and fitness and to get out and get into running, but we also saw it as a vehicle to try and raise money for a great local charity as well,” Magoffin said.

The event has made a huge difference to the health of the region.

"That's one of the good things about this time of year, you see the streets are full of people training for the Marina Run, so it certainly gets people up off the couch and out exercising,” Magoffin said.

The Marina Run is also a good opportunity for those training for a full marathon.

"Our course is flat, fast and we are four weeks out from the Gold Coast Marathon,” Magoffin said.

Aside from the obvious fitness benefits of the race, Magoffin said the Mackay Marina Run takes participants through beautiful locations in our region.

"Our course is incredibly scenic. It's a great advertisement for the beauty of Mackay,” he said.

Runners will also get to run with event ambassadors; Benita Willis and Steve Moneghetti.

"They're both going to be pace runners in the half marathon as well, so runners in the half marathon can have the experience of running with former Olympic and world, champions,” Magoffin said.

Online registrations for the Mackay Marina Run close at 12noon Friday, June 2 but late registration will still be available in person from 12-5pm at the Marina Village car park on Mulherin Drive.

Costs and registration available at www.mackay marinarun.com.

ON YOUR MARK

Half Marathon: arrive at 5.30am for 6.30 start