People power spurred athletes

SPECTATORS are being credited with spurring dozens of Gold Coast Marathon runners to beat their personal best times.

Huge crowds of enthusiastic supporters, many with homemade signs, lined the route of Sunday’s race to cheer on participants.

Gold Coast Airport Marathon chief executive Cameron Hart said feedback from runners who recorded good times said the crowds had contributed hugely to their success.

“The crowds were really cheering them on and everyone has said how good the crowds were, they were having such a good time,” he said.

It was just one of the ways the city embraced the event, with thousands flocking to social media to plug the marathon and the Gold Coast.

There were 12,335 photos using the hashtag #GCAM15 on Instagram and it trended on Twitter in seven cities.

Mr Hart said the large participation from South-East Asia had helped raise the profile of the Gold Coast because of the popularity of social media in the region.

“It not only helps us to promote the event but what they can do here after.”

A Chinese group took surfing lessons at Surfers Paradise yesterday while Juliana Khoo, Gemma Ong, Lee Phing Chiam and Hau Chern Lee from Malaysia did the SkyPoint Climb at Q1 Surfers Paradise.

Mr Chern

said

they

arrived on Friday and left yesterday, fitting in some theme parks while here.

“It was a great time,” he said. We heard this event is very well organised and we heard a lot about it through media or friends.

“It was indeed a well-organised event.

“We loved it, with weather and scenery.”

Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the event had generated its own momentum, creating a great atmosphere and supporting the whole community.

“It has such high exposure value, not only with participants but their family and friends,” he said.

“There couldn’t be an event with more impact for the Gold Coast both domestically and internationally.

“It just reinforces the position of the Gold Coast as a destination not just for fun, but also for sporting events.”

really

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The winning pair read all about the marathon in yesterday’s Pictures: EVENTS MANAGEMENT QUEENSLAND

Men's winner Kenneth Mungara and women’s winner Risa Takenaka aka meetm a koala at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary yesterday.

Juliana Khoo, Gemma Ong, Lee Phing Chiam and Hau Chern Lee do the climb at Q1. Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS