FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

           Gold Coast Airport Marathon Achieves Australian First

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon has become the first Australian marathon 
race to attain the prestigious international designation – an International 
Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Road Race Bronze Label – 
putting it in esteemed company around the world.

Queensland Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and 
Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey, congratulated the Gold Coast Airport 
Marathon for attaining the IAAF Road Race Bronze Label this year.

"The sport's world governing body, the IAAF, annually awards IAAF Road Race 
Labels to only those marathons that meet criteria for excellence in the 
delivery of the race.

"It is wonderful news that Queensland's Gold Coast Airport Marathon has 
become the first Australian marathon to achieve this.

"It shows how highly the event is regarded internationally and will only 
add to its profile and appeal to runners all over the world."

Athletics Australia Chief Executive Officer Dallas O'Brien said the IAAF 
Road Race Bronze Label will further showcase the quality of Australian road 
running to the world.

"Marathon running has been experiencing a boom in Australia over the past 
decade which has translated into record participation levels in marathon 
races.

"With this increased popularity, marathon races need meticulous planning 
and organisation, and this international recognition highlights the Gold 
Coast Airport Marathon as one of the best delivered in the world."

IAAF Senior Manager - Road Running Sean Wallace-Jones said the Gold Coast 
Airport Marathon had to meet specific criteria to achieve its IAAF Road 
Race Bronze Label.

"The criteria for whether a road race receives a label designation is based 
on six general areas – race organisation, course measurement, timing and 
results, media services, medical provisions and the quality of the 
international field of elite runners" said Wallace-Jones.

"The IAAF is delighted that an IAAF Road Race Label has been earned by an 
Australian marathon for the very first time and congratulate the organisers 
for this achievement."

Oceania Athletics Association Executive Director Yvonne Mullins praised the 
Gold Coast Airport Marathon for its contribution to the IAAF Oceania 
region.

"The Gold Coast Airport Marathon has made a significant contribution to the 
development of road running in the Oceania region for a number of years as 
host of the Oceania Marathon and Half Marathon Championships," said 
Mullins.

"From the technical delivery to the tourism and economic benefit it 
provides for Queensland and Australia, the Gold Coast Airport Marathon is a 
leader in the field of marathon events."

Gold Coast Airport Marathon Chairman Kerry Watson said the IAAF Road Race 
Bronze Label would generate further awareness and credibility for the event 
on a world scale.

"It is the highest honour for marathon events to attain an IAAF Road Race 
Label and to become the first Australian event, and the first in the IAAF 
Oceania region, to achieve one is an additional honour," said Watson.

"The label is testament to years of continual improvement for how we plan 
and deliver the Gold Coast Airport Marathon and I congratulate my team at 
Gold Coast Events for achieving this.

"We will be proud to sport the IAAF Road Race Bronze Label at this year's 
35th Gold Coast Airport Marathon on Sunday 7 July."

Visit www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au.
   
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