Press Release - Gold Coast Airport Marathon - 1/21/14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Gold Coast Airport Marathon Achieves Highest International Accolade

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon has confirmed its position as one of the 
world's leading road races after receiving an International Association of 
Athletics Federations (IAAF) Road Race Gold Label.

Acting Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the 
Commonwealth Games, Tracy Davis congratulated the Gold Coast Airport 
Marathon on being the first marathon in Australia to receive this accolade.

"Every year the sport's world governing body, the IAAF, awards road race 
labels to marathons who have met strict criteria for excellence in 
planning, delivery and execution," Ms Davis said.

"After achieving an IAAF Road Race Bronze Label last year, it is a 
tremendous achievement for our home-grown event to now be recognised as one 
of the best in the world.

"The Gold Coast is now in esteemed international company alongside races 
such as the New York City Marathon, Tokyo Marathon and Berlin Marathon.

"The new rating is a testament to the event management expertise of the 
race organisers.

"The Newman Government is proud to support signature events like the Gold 
Coast Airport Marathon as part of our commitment to double overnight 
visitor expenditure from $15 billion to $30 billion by 2020."

Athletics Australia Chief Executive Officer Dallas O'Brien said the IAAF 
Road Race Gold Label designation showcased Australia's ability in 
delivering world-class road races.

"Australia has seen a significant increase in participation levels in 
marathon running over the past decade and credit must go to the 
organisation of road races such as the Gold Coast Airport Marathon," Mr 
O'Brien said.

"The international recognition of the IAAF Road Race Gold Label will 
highlight Australia as a country that produces and delivers some of the 
finest marathon events in the world."

IAAF Senior Manager - Road Running Sean Wallace-Jones said the Gold Coast 
Airport Marathon achieved the IAAF Road Race Gold Label after meeting 
strict criteria.

"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," Mr Wallace-Jones said.

"For instance, the Gold Coast Airport Marathon had to broadcast their race 
to an international audience which was achieved when the 2013 event was 
televised in 64 countries."

"The distinguished classification is a testament to the meticulous 
organisation of the Gold Coast Airport Marathon and the IAAF congratulates 
the event for being the first marathon in Australia to achieve this 
recognition."

Oceania Athletics Association Executive Director Yvonne Mullins applauded 
the Gold Coast Airport Marathon on its achievement and their role in the 
development of marathon running in the IAAF Oceania region.

"The Gold Coast Airport Marathon has been a strong supporter of road 
running in the Oceania region for a number of years and this title 
highlights the event's importance to Queensland and Australia," said Ms 
Mullins.

"Since 2008, the event has hosted the Oceania Area Marathon and Half 
Marathon Championships which has significantly aided the development of 
road running in the region - we are extremely proud of their achievement."

Race Chairman Kerry Watson said the IAAF Road Race Gold Label has confirmed 
the event as one of the leading marathons in the world.

"An IAAF Road Race Gold Label is the highest qualification awarded by the 
IAAF and it elevates the Gold Coast Airport Marathon to one of the greatest 
marathons in the world," Mr Watson said.

"It is an honour to be the first marathon in Australia and the IAAF Oceania 
region to reach this status which has come about after many years of 
continual improvement and thorough planning.

"I congratulate my team at Events Management Queensland for achieving this 
and for generating further awareness and credibility for the event on a 
world scale.

"We will be proud to sport the IAAF Road Race Gold Label at this year's 
36th annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon on Sunday 6 July."

For more information visit www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au

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