NOW IT’S CANDICE SCORING RUNS
Huge weekend to provide test run
THERE will be a role reversal in the Warner family this weekend with gun Australian batsman David cheering on wife Candice in the Gold Coast Airport Marathon. The former champion ironwoman will join 27,000 runners in tomorrow’s endurance test.
THE Gold Coast Airport Marathon and a massive weekend of events is being treated as a “dry run” for next April’s Commonwealth Games.
Twenty Goldoc employees will be embedded with marathon staff gaining experience and tips in preparation for the Games.
The marathon weekend has been deemed the test run due to multiple events in the city including the marathon, AFL great Gary Ablett’s 300th game, Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp surf event in Duranbah and the Circus of Illusions.
Goldoc chairman Peter Beattie said Goldoc would be keeping a close eye on the marathon – one of the last major events before next year’s Games.
“What we do is look at every major event and learn from it,” Mr Beattie said.
“Having an event like the marathon that’s on the Gold Coast, it’s almost a dry run.”
Goldoc officers will be working in press operations, medical, sport, venue management and logistics throughout the marathon weekend.
In particular focus this weekend will be the transport issues surrounding the Games, with Goldoc representatives also to be stationed at the Department of Transport and Main Roads in Nerang.
Marathon organisers have urged people to allow more time for travel and use the light rail where possible to avoid the same issue last year which caused some people to be stuck in traffic for about an hour.
Mr Beattie said the additional events on the weekend made the practice run even more realistic.
“That is a really good set of circumstances because then you get a better look at how it works,” he said.
The marathon is of particular interest because it will have a similar set-up to the four free road races during the Games.
“They are more unpredictable and you are never quite sure how many people will show up,” Mr Beattie said.
He remained tight-lipped on security but said Goldoc officials were keeping an eye on all major events and how they handled safety issues.
Gold Coast Airport Marathon general manager Cameron Hart said the Goldoc officers had been working with the marathon as well as observing the operations.
Mr Hart said registrations for tomorrow’s races were still open but were on track to have about 27,000 entrants.
“Some of our key international markets had some growth,” he said. “I would say we are on par.”
The race attracts about 43,000 visitors each year from outside of the Gold Coast, including runners and spectators.
The marathon is not the only sporting event to attract visitors, with an influx of AFL fans expected on the Glitter Strip for Gary Ablett’s 300th game this afternoon. Hotels across the city are reporting no vacancies.
Warren Callum, Wyndham Vacation Resorts area manager for Queensland, said the marathon weekend was one of the company’s biggest for the year.
“Most of our guests for the marathon will be in for the three nights,” he said.