FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gold Coast Airport Marathon Inducted Into
Queensland Tourism Awards Hall of Fame

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon was tonight (Friday 4 November) inducted
into the Queensland Tourism Awards Hall of Fame at a gala ceremony at the
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The annual Gold Coast major event won its third consecutive Queensland
Tourism Award in the category of Major Festivals and Events meaning
automatic induction into the prestigious Hall of Fame.

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon received the award tonight for the 2010
edition of the event which attracted close to 24,000 runners from 38
countries.

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon will now be the Queensland representative
in the Major Festivals and Events category at the Qantas Australian Tourism
Awards to be held in Cairns in March.

The 2010 Gold Coast Airport Marathon was organised by Events Queensland
Gold Coast, a major event management company wholly owned by the Queensland
Government through Events Queensland.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh was thrilled with the win, highlighting the
popularity of the Gold Coast event.

"The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is regarded as one of the leading holiday
marathons in the world, showcasing what the Gold Coast has to offer to a
national and international audience," said Ms Bligh.

"The 2010 event generated an economic impact of $43.59 million for
Queensland, and more than 55,000 visitor nights – which is great for
tourism, local businesses and jobs.

"Congratulations to Events Queensland Gold Coast for delivering another
great event."

Chairman of Events Queensland Gold Coast Mr Kerry Watson said the award and
induction into the Hall of Fame was recognition of the significant tourism
impact the Gold Coast Airport Marathon generates for Queensland each year.

"The Gold Coast Airport Marathon has grown from an event for the local
community back when it started in 1979 to become a real international event
tourism success story.

"The team at Events Queensland Gold Coast and our loyal and dedicated
volunteers, with the support of Events Queensland, Gold Coast City Council
and our major sponsors led by Gold Coast Airport, deliver a magnificent
event for the runners and spectators.

"In 2010, nearly 8,000 of our 24,000 runners came from interstate and
overseas and brought additional family and friends which showcases the
significant tourism impact the event has for Queensland."

Events Queensland CEO John O'Sullivan said this year's Gold Coast Airport
Marathon received a record-breaking number of participants and continued to
be a signature event on the Queensland calendar.

"We look forward to seeing more participants on the starting line next year
when the 34th annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon takes place on 30 June and
1 July 2012."

Some key facts about the 2010 Gold Coast Airport Marathon:

- Total number of entries were 23,812 from 38 countries. This was nearly
triple the field of the 2001 Gold Coast Airport Marathon which drew 7,960.
- There were 7,793 participants from outside Queensland including 2,128
from overseas.
- The event generated an economic impact of $43.59 million for Queensland
and more than 55,000 visitor nights.
- The race program was held over two days for the first time in its 32 year
history.
- More than 120 media attended the event. A live webcast and a one-hour
post-produced television program exposed the event and destination
worldwide.

The 34th annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon will be held on 30 June – 1
July 2012.

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