2010: YEAR OF THE MARATHON

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon dubbed 2010 as the ‘Year of the Marathon’ to celebrate the 2,500th anniversary of the original marathon. Back in 490BC, Athenian soldier Pheidippides ran to Athens from the battlefield of Marathon where the Greek Army had won a crucial battle against the invading Persian Army. The message read “Rejoice, we are victorious”.
To celebrate this historic occasion, challenge yourself to run the Gold Coast Airport Marathon.

• Run your first-ever full marathon over 42.195km. What an achievement!
• Run your first full marathon on the Gold Coast. What a place to do it!
• Run a personal best time in the marathon. How fast can you go!
• Run another marathon. Because you can!
• Run your 10th or 20th marathon on the Gold Coast. Be inducted into an exclusive club of runners!

LOGO CREATED TO COMMEMORATE 2500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARATHON

This year marks the 2500th anniversary of the marathon and to commemorate this historic occasion the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) and the Athens Classic Marathon (ACM) Organizing Committee, in collaboration with AIMS, have created a unique logo.

In 2010, the world Marathon movement celebrates the 2500th anniversary of the Marathon Battle (490 BC) and the legend of Pheidippides the Greek soldier-runner who ran from the village of Marathon to Athens bearing the message of victory to the Athenians. This legend provided the impetus for the establishment of the Marathon as an event during the first Modern Olympic Games, held in Athens in 1896.

Hiroaki Chosa, President of AIMS (Association of International Marathons & Distance Races) commented: “2010 is an important year in the history of marathon running, marking the 2500th anniversary of the historical run from Marathon to Athens. AIMS is delighted to endorse the use of this logo amongst our 300 member races in 85 countries in order to acknowledge this great occasion.”

AIMS is the world body for marathons and distance races and has over 300 member races across 85 different countries around the world for background information please see www.aimsworldrunning.org

2,500 YEARS COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL

Running a Marathon during 2010? You will become part of 2500 years of history!!

Commemorate your achievement with an exclusive medal celebrating where it all began – the Battle of Marathon in 490BC. Click here to purchase a Commemorative Medal, Ribbon, History Pamphlet and Medal Box Stand.

Click here to read about the history of the Marathon.