Marathon rakes in gold

Label on the event, categorising it as an elite event.

About 25 marathons worldwide have the status and Events Management Queensland CEO Cameron Hart, who oversees the race, said it makes it more attractive for overseas runners.

“Its international appeal with a gold label is attractive,” he said. “We’ve done a lot of work in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China.

“The feedback we are getting from travel agents and people in the industry is make sure you keep that gold label because travel agents in those markets say it makes it easier to sell it.”

Last year, the event attracted 3500 international entrants, 17,000 from interstate and 6000 Gold Coasters. It created 80,000 bed nights and injected about $24 million into the economy – and a month out from the 39th instalment, Mr Hart was expecting similar numbers.

Marathon ambassador Benita Willis, a four-time Olympian and two-time Commonwealth Games representative, said Gold status was highly regarded runners.

Brisbane-based Willis, who spent years in the US competing, has a marathon training business with overseas-based clients and said the Gold Coast event was held in high regard.

“A lot of recreational runners want to do a personal best and they say ‘Oh these elites have done Gold Coast in a fast by recreational time so it must course’,” he said.

“I’ve just been in US on holiday and a lot of people say they want to come to the Gold Coast, they know it more so than Brisbane and most places.”

This year’s event will welcome back Kenya’s Kenneth Mungara who is aiming for a rare three-peat having won in 2015 and again last year. be a fast