Gold Coast Marathon sets record for visitors, entrants, economy

THE Gold Coast Marathon weekend is the city’s annual gutbuster - and now it has the busted all sorts of records. The data reveals just how big a success it has become.

THE Gold Coast Marathon weekend is the city’s annual gutbuster - and now it has the busted all sorts of records.

A bumper Gold Coast Marathon earlier this year has broken accommodation and economic impact records, official figures reveal.

More than 100,000 visitor nights were generated, fuelling a $28.5 million injection into the city economy during the marathon weekend two months ago in July.

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Action from the Gold Coast Asics Half Marathon - the weekend in July set records for visitors, entrants from overseas and economic impact. Photo by Richard Gosling

The 100,000 visitor nights were a 25 per cent jump on the 81,302 in 2017 whilst the economic impact was $3.5m up on the $25m windfall last year.

All up, participants in the marathon weekend hit about 27,000 up on 24,092 last year.

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The Gold Coast Marathon in July - run largely along the same course followed by the Commonwealth Games marathon - attracted a record 4300 internationals. Photo by Richard Gosling

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said 2018’s marathon recorded its biggest international field of all time with more than 4300 runners from 51 countries competing.

It also attracted 60,000 attendees including 47,000 visitors to the Gold Coast - a 13 per cent increase on last year.

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Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

Ms Jones said: “The Marathon was the first major sporting event on the Gold Coast after the Commonwealth Games and gave runners the chance to run parts of the Games course. The feedback we’ve received showed this was added incentive for international athletes.”

The marathon is run by Events Management Queensland (EMQ), a subsidiary of Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ).

Action from the Gold Coast Asics Half Marathon is part of the Gold Coast Marathon weekend and the 40th anniversary two months ago attracted a record field of foreign entries. Photo by Richard Gosling

EMQ Chairman Kerry Watson said its positive social and economic impact confirmed it was a world-class international sporting event.

The 2018 growth in visitors was a result of long-term marketing strategies with TEQ, Destination Gold Coast, City of Gold Coast, ASICS, Gold Coast Airport and other sponsors,” he said.

“These valuable partnerships, in conjunction with the attractiveness of the 40th anniversary, helped us deliver an unforgettable experience to thousands from around the globe and cemented our position as Oceania’s leading marathon.

MARATHON NUMBERS 2018 (2017)

Visitor nights: 100,000 plus (81,302)

Economic figure: $28.5m ($25m)

Participants: 27,000 (24,902 all races)