The Gold Coast Airport Marathon today confirmed the signing of an agreement with the Seven Network, Australia’s most-watched broadcast television platform and the home of the Olympic Games, as the official television partner of this year’s event.

The partnership with the Seven Network will include a delayed free-to-air one-hour highlights package of the Gold Coast Airport Marathon on 7mate and Sunrise sport presenter Mark Beretta as the event’s official host, commentator and stage presenter.

Gold Coast Airport Marathon CEO Cameron Hart said the signing was a major boost for the internationally acclaimed marathon as it ensured wide coverage from a network committed to bringing momentous sporting events into homes across Australia.

“The partnership with the Seven Network, an established and respected leader in sport broadcasting, reconfirms the Gold Coast Airport Marathon’s positon as a major international event on Australia’s sporting calendar,” Mr Hart said.

“The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is regarded as Australia’s leading marathon and is now part of the Seven Network’s unrivalled portfolio of Australian and international sporting events including the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

“Not only are we looking forward to utilising Seven Network’s expertise and production values in sport broadcasting but we’re also excited to have Australia’s Sunrise sports presenter and journalist Mark Beretta on the Gold Coast over race weekend.

“Mark Beretta, one of the country’s most respected sport presenters who has covered almost every major international event, will host the Garmin Legends Lunch, marathon presentations and guest commentate the live webcast.”

Tony Stower, Channel Seven Brisbane’s Program Communications Manager said the deal with the Gold Coast Airport Marathon was another step towards bringing the biggest events in sport to audiences in Australia.

“The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is one of the greatest mass participation sporting events in Australia and we’re delighted to be broadcasting the highlights package on 7mate,” Mr Stower said.

“The Seven Network is committed to dramatically expanding its coverage of major sports in Australia and this relationship with one of the most internationally recognised road races is another move towards achieving this.

“In addition, building partnerships with sporting events on the Gold Coast such as the Gold Coast Airport Marathon will only create value as we look towards the 2018 Commonwealth Games in 2018.”

Key facts about the broadcast reach of the Gold Coast Airport Marathon

• National one-hour telecast on 7mate around Australia
• International television distribution agreement with Sports TV Media Distribution, delivering 1,000+ hours coverage into 80+ countries with a potential reach of 750+ million households
• Live four-hour global webcast at goldcoastmarathon.com.au on Sunday 5 July with an anticipated visitation of 10,000+

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon will be held on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July in one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world in Queensland, Australia.

It is set to attract more than 27,000 participants of all ages and abilities across a number of events including the Gold Coast Airport Marathon, Wheelchair Marathon, ASICS Half Marathon, Wheelchair 15km, Southern Cross University 10km Run, Suncorp Bank 5.7km Challenge and Junior Dash 4km & 2km races.

Click here to enter the Gold Coast Airport Marathon.