Gold Coast Marathon: Organisers proud of success as record times broken

Those behind the tourism-rich Gold Coast Marathon weekend are not resting on their laurels despite a near record number of entries and record times being set at the 41st instalment.

THOSE behind the tourism-rich Gold Coast Marathon weekend are not resting on their laurels despite a near record number of entries and record times being set at the 41st instalment.

A total 26,287 runners participated across all of the eight events across the giant weekend of running, not far short of the 28,000-plus which descended for it in 2012.

Not only are the numbers attracted impressive, pumping $28 million into the economy last year, but the fields are high quality too.

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Japan's Yuta Shitara wins the Gold Coast Marathon. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

Japanese Men’s marathon winner Yuta Shitara shattered Kenyan three-time champion Kenneth Mungara’s 2014 race record by 52 seconds when he crossed the line first yesterday.

Organisers are planning to grow the event’s appeal even further particularly with next year’s 42nd instalment.

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Japan's Yuta Shitara signing autographs. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

Outgoing Events Management Queensland chairman Kerry Watson, who is credited with being instrumental in the event’s surging growth down the years, said he “couldn’t ask for anything more” from his final year in the role.

“We’re a semi-government authority, and most of the government authorities retire after three years in the chair,” he said.

“I’ve been here 21 years, and I think it’s about time someone else stepped in.

“We set out to turn this into a significant event for the Gold Coast. It’s actually turned into a significant event for the Gold Coast, Queensland and Australia.

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Competitors in the Gold Coast Marathon. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

“It’s like handing on a new life at the 21st birthday, saying you’re on your own now.

“To keep the vision that we have for it is to produce an event that has always stood for quality, and if we can maintain that it will only continue to grow.”

Taking over the position for the 42nd year will be Paul Donovan, who is on the board of Gold Coast Airport and is the Destination Gold Coast chairman.

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Competitors in the Gold Coast Marathon. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

Mr Donovan told the Bulletin yesterday he would elaborate more on future plans from August 1 when he steps into the role.

But he said: “Kerry has created the perfect platform for us and the new board to look at how we can grow it because if you are not growing it, you are going backwards.

“I’m really excited to seize this opportunity Kerry has given me. But we have to keep building it. It’s one of the most important events we have in the city.”

Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the “tough decision” to change the route this year would allow the event to grow in coming years.

“When you’ve been doing something 41 years it’s always a bit of a challenge but it was the right thing to do,” she said.

“It allows us to cater for an additional 2000 runners, and that’s paid its way.

“This is a great event that we’ve grown off the back of the Commonwealth Games, and with the recognition you get from having competitors from 56 countries, already we think it’s worth $30 million to the Gold Coast.”

While there were no severe injuries yesterday, 50 people were being treated in the medical tent at the 3.5 hour mark.

Runners stayed hydrated by drinking 33,000 litres of water, eating 2720kg of oranges and 2250kg of bananas.