AusLeisure

Events Management Queensland  have announced that following the recent cancellation of the Village Roadshow Theme Parks Gold Coast Marathon, from today - Global Running Day - and for the first time in event history participants are able to register to run the Marathon virtually. 

The Marathon, originally scheduled for 4th-5th July, was cancelled due to COVID-19 and the subsequent Queensland Public Health Order preventing mass participation events. 

Events Management Queensland Chief Executive, Cam Hart said that although cancelling the event was an unavoidable and unfortunate decision due to the pandemic, the virtual run gives participants the opportunity to still connect with the event and achieve a personal goal ‘alongside’ thousands of other members of the event’s advocates.

Hart notes “we are excited, even during these times, to still give people the opportunity to run the Village Roadshow Theme Parks Gold Coast Virtual Marathon from wherever they are in the world.

“This year has been a challenging one for most people and with so much preparation going into the event, we want to give participants the chance to put their training towards completing our virtual event and still receive a sense of the good times on offer every July.

“Our running community is a special one and we have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm, support and well-wishes from our supporters, so naturally we wanted to give back to the participants who are the heart and soul of the event each year.”

“The virtual run will attract international interest in the Gold Coast as a world class events and holiday destination and will play a valuable role in promoting the Village Roadshow Theme Parks Gold Coast Marathon on 3rd-4th July 2021.”

The virtual event will be free for runners, wheelies and walkers of all ages and abilities to join and there are six distances on offer including the  Village Roadshow Theme Parks  Gold Coast  Virtual  Marathon, ASICS  Virtual Half Marathon, Southern Cross University  Virtual  10km Run, Gold Coast Airport  Virtual  5km  Fun Run and the 4km and 2km Junior Dash. 

Participants will be required to complete their run between Wednesday 1st and Friday 31st  July 2020 using the event’s official app, ASICS Runkeeper, or a similar GPS application and upload their result online. There is also the opportunity to participate in multiple events over the month of July or use shorter race distances as training runs for the full marathon.  

Those taking part can even don a personalised  virtual race bib, available for download during registration, while daydreaming about the Gold Coast’s famous flat, fast and scenic course located alongside the city’s renowned surf beaches and stunning broadwater. 

2004 World Cross Country Champion and Gold Coast-based Lace Up Running coach Benita Willis said offering the events virtually is a great initiative to keep up training momentum and achieve previously set goals.

Wills added “During this time, it is really hard to stay motivated with just training alone so for myself, the athletes I coach and the running community, it’s fantastic to have a race goal to aim for. The format of the virtual run also provides the opportunity for multiple attempts at your favourite distance or to try a different distance each week during the month of July.” 

Friends, family and foes will be vying for bragging rights with results available for all to see on the event website during the month of July and  personalised  finisher certificates shareable on social media with the event hashtag #GCM20. 

Those with grander aspirations can aim for the Oceania Virtual Marathon and Half Marathon Championships, the Queensland Virtual Half Marathon Championships and the  Uni Sport  Virtual Distance Running Championships. 

Participants can also donate to official charities Cancer Council Queensland and LIVIN via the registration platform. 

For more information and to register, visit goldcoastmarathon.com.au/virtual 

Related Articles

20th May 2020 - Gold Coast Marathon cancelled due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions

13th September 2019 - Village Roadshow Theme Parks announces naming rights partnership with Gold Coast Marathon

31st May 2019 - Record Gold Coast Marathon numbers prompt organisers to adapt the course

3rd June 2020 - Events Management Queensland announce cancellation of 2020 Pan Pacific Masters Games

28th May 2020 - Organisers advise of cancellation of all 2020 Fitness Show events

28th May 2020 - Te Pae Christchurch secures host of events despite COVID-19 challenges

19th May 2020 - INTIX develops world-first contact tracing technology for events

14th May 2020 - Business Events Council of Australia delivers COVIDSafe guidelines to government

12th May 2020 - Melbourne to invest in events following lifting of COVID-19 restrictions

29th April 2020 - Tourism and Events Industry encourages Australians to download and use COVIDSafe app

27th April 2020 - Tourism Australia revises Business Events Advance Program to support industry in COVID-19 recovery

24th April 2020 - Collapse of events sector wipes $35 billion from Australia’s economy

16th April 2020 - Golf Australia cancels events until 30th June

---

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.