The Gold Coast Airport Marathon has become the first Australian marathon race to attain the prestigious international designation – an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Road Race Bronze Label – putting it in esteemed company around the world.

Queensland Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey, congratulated the Gold Coast Airport Marathon for attaining the IAAF Road Race Bronze Label this year.

“The sport’s world governing body, the IAAF, annually awards IAAF Road Race Labels to only those marathons that meet criteria for excellence in the delivery of the race.

“It is wonderful news that Queensland’s Gold Coast Airport Marathon has become the first Australian marathon to achieve this.

“It shows how highly the event is regarded internationally and will only add to its profile and appeal to runners all over the world.”

Athletics Australia Chief Executive Officer Dallas O’Brien said the IAAF Road Race Bronze Label will further showcase the quality of Australian road running to the world.

“Marathon running has been experiencing a boom in Australia over the past decade which has translated into record participation levels in marathon races.

“With this increased popularity, marathon races need meticulous planning and organisation, and this international recognition highlights the Gold Coast Airport Marathon as one of the best delivered in the world.”

IAAF Senior Manager – Road Running Sean Wallace-Jones said the Gold Coast Airport Marathon had to meet specific criteria to achieve its IAAF Road Race Bronze Label.

“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” said Wallace-Jones.

“The IAAF is delighted that an IAAF Road Race Label has been earned by an Australian marathon for the very first time and congratulate the organisers for this achievement.”

Oceania Athletics Association Executive Director Yvonne Mullins praised the Gold Coast Airport Marathon for its contribution to the IAAF Oceania region.

“The Gold Coast Airport Marathon has made a significant contribution to the development of road running in the Oceania region for a number of years as host of the Oceania Marathon and Half Marathon Championships,” said Mullins.

“From the technical delivery to the tourism and economic benefit it provides for Queensland and Australia, the Gold Coast Airport Marathon is a leader in the field of marathon events.”

Gold Coast Airport Marathon Chairman Kerry Watson said the IAAF Road Race Bronze Label would generate further awareness and credibility for the event on a world scale.

“It is the highest honour for marathon events to attain an IAAF Road Race Label and to become the first Australian event, and the first in the IAAF Oceania region, to achieve one is an additional honour,” said Watson.

“The label is testament to years of continual improvement for how we plan and deliver the Gold Coast Airport Marathon and I congratulate my team at Gold Coast Events for achieving this.

“We will be proud to sport the IAAF Road Race Bronze Label at this year’s 35th Gold Coast Airport Marathon on Sunday 7 July.”