Marathon’s return and expansion divides Toowoomba community

The Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Marathon will double in size next with more races added to the $1.1 million event. Here’s what our readers have to say about the expansion news and the decision to change the showpiece marathon course.

Ready for the half marathon are (from left) Mark Wylie, Niamh Wylie, Megan Matthews and Emily Millard at the Toowoomba Marathon event. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The inaugural Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Marathon brought 1000s of people to the Garden City and boosted regional coffers by $1.1 million.

It also drew criticism from sections of the Toowoomba community, with road closures the primary point of complaint.

Now residents are voicing their concerns again following news the event will be a two day running festival with more races added to the program and changes to the marathon course.

“In 2025 the marathon course will consist of three laps which will reduce the duration of the road closures in South Toowoomba with the first large lap incorporating Long Street and the West Creek Pathway exclusively one-way for runners,” Events Management Queensland CEO Ben Mannion said.

But despite Mannion’s comment sections of the community remain divided.

Here’s what resident had to say on The Chronicle’s social media pages.

Michael Hoppe

Maybe this time access to Toowoomba via the main highway will be allowed.

Helen Sutherst

Sign it correctly this time it was a nightmare last time.

Sarah Holm

If it’s appropriately planned, signed and advertised correctly (not with the wrong details like this previous event), and people manning the closed roads actually know the area, there should be no issues.

Ready to run are (from left) Portia Baskerville (half marathon), Shane Dick (marathon), Sam Dick (half marathon) and Zack Postans (10km) at the Toowoomba Marathon event. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Peter May

Great event. Well done to all the organisers.

Skye Turner

Yet everyone is OK for ST closures and more traffic in the entire town for Carnival of Flowers. That is far worse than couple of hours for this marathon.

Chris Snow

Please no. Cyclists are bad enough. Let alone this.

Clayton Rogers

I wonder how much businesses lost cause customers couldn’t get access? How many appointments were cancelled because people couldn’t get through the road closures.

Judy Bain

Send it out to the Showgrounds

Darren May

Send it somewhere else. The traffic chaos isn’t worth it.

Jeffrey Franklin

Traffic. Chaos for hours. Couldn’t organise a chook raffle