Gold Coast Airport Marathon General Manager Cameron Hart today announced that participant numbers in the 2013 Gold Coast Airport Marathon and ASICS Half Marathon will be capped for the first time in the event’s 35-year history.

In an important, proactive safety measure, the 42.195km Marathon will be limited to an increase of 15%  with 6,500 runners while up to 11,000 people will be able to run in the 21km Half Marathon to allow for a 10% growth.

Both take place on the streets of the Gold Coast on Sunday 7th July.

Entries across all events are almost 30 per cent up on the same time last year, when a record 28,000-plus eventually faced the starter across the two days, including 5,100  finishers in what became Australia’s largest ever marathon.

Mr Hart said that number is on target to be exceeded this year as people from all over Australia and the world continue to embrace the world-class Gold Coast event in extraordinarily high numbers.

“Unprecedented participation increases across all events could result in over 30,000 starters across all our events this year, which is fantastic,” Mr Hart said.

“But with that serious growth comes an equally serious obligation to provide the highest standards of safety and quality of this year’s event, which can only be managed by ensuring current course capacities are not exceeded.

“We’ve always prided ourselves on delivering a world-class event which can only be staged with the valued support of the running community.

“We thank all of our past competitors and apologise in advance if you are unable to take part in your preferred event this year.

“A review will be conducted of the courses and road closures in advance of the 2014 event to evaluate options to expand the course capacities, following a review with the relevant authorities.

“Safety is one thing we certainly won’t compromise on and we encourage anyone who might find themselves unable to secure a berth in the Gold Coast Airport Marathon or ASICS Half Marathon to consider the Southern Cross University 10km Run or the Suncorp Bank 5.7km Challenge, which will take place on Saturday 6th July,” he said.

The 2013 program also features 4km and 2km Junior Dashes and an early bird fee for all events is in place until Wednesday 22nd May.

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland as part of a growing calendar of sporting, cultural and regional events.

For more information or to enter visit www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au.