Marathons capitalise on running revolution
Australia is currently experiencing a marathon running revolution following the record numbers at yesterday’s Samsung Melbourne Marathon, according to Gold Coast Airport Marathon General Manager Cameron Hart.
The Melbourne Marathon attracted 16,294 participants across all of its races yesterday, to continue the trend of participation records set this year at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon with 16,172 and the Blackmores Sydney Marathon with 19,115.
“There is always some healthy rivalry among the marathon events to claim the mantle as the number one in Australia,” said Mr Hart.
“I think Melbourne, Sydney and us lay claim to the mantle in one way or another, whether it’s in participation numbers, finish times, elite runners, prizemoney, economic impact or overall organisation.
“The positive fact is that all events have experienced a surge in participation numbers, and I believe that is only going to increase next year and beyond.
“The growth in participation at these events mirrors the trends outlined in the annual Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS) published by the Australian Sports Commission.”
According to the 2006 ERASS (http://www.ausport.gov.au/scorsresearch/erass2006.asp), close to one and a quarter million Australians exercised by running last year which represented a 12.9 percent increase since 2001.
“We seem to be in the midst of a cultural shift with more and more Australians maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Mr Hart.
“People are setting themselves fitness goals, doing activities like running and walking to keep fit, and also taking part in big community events where they can put their training and preparation into practice. This has created a mini marathon revolution which is exciting for us all.”
In terms of participation in the full marathon over 42.195km this year, there were 2,917 runners in Melbourne, 2,841 on the Gold Coast and 1,526 in Sydney.
“The Gold Coast Airport Marathon has set the benchmark in Australia for a number of years, and we have been acknowledged internationally as an organisational and technical leader for marathon events,” said Mr Hart.
“Congratulations, though, must go to the organisers of the Melbourne and Sydney Marathons for record-breaking events and capitalising on the resurgence in running in Australia, but we still believe we host the premier marathon event.
“Melbourne has the MCG, Sydney has the Harbour Bridge and Opera House but we have the golden beaches, beautiful broadwater, great conditions, vibrant atmosphere, fast and flat course, and world-class event organisation.
“More and more people are out to set personal bests and there is no better fast and flat course than on the Gold Coast. This year the times for the 10th, 50th and 100th male and female finisher at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon were faster than the times recorded in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.
“While the course is attractive so is the prizemoney for elite runners, and currently we offer the largest prizemoney purse in the marathon than any other in Australia.
“Next year will be the 30th Gold Coast Airport Marathon on Sunday 6 July, and we are aiming for another record field to ‘embrace the next step’ and take part in one of the events.
“We will continue to work closely with the organisers of Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and other running events in Australia to maintain this marathon surge.”
E-mail: stephen@goldcoastevents.com.au
