The Gold Coast Airport Marathon will implement world leading technology and ground-breaking safety practices to ensure the well-being of its competitors and spectators at this year’s event on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July.

Australia’s leading marathon will utilise a cutting-edge medical scanning and RFID technology in conjunction with the on-course timing system to assist with the identification of more than 27,000 participants on and off the course.

Gold Coast Airport Marathon CEO Cameron Hart said the system, which was first used at the 2013 event, goes above and beyond strict industry standards applied by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS).

“From advanced medical scanning technology and RFID tracking to forward-thinking traffic management and detailed aid station assistance, the Gold Coast Airport Marathon continually aims to employ innovative and ground-breaking safety measures,” Mr Hart said.

“Our leading track and scan system enables event officials to identify the location of a participant on and off the course accurately and efficiently at all times via a Chrono Track B-Tag located on participant’s race numbers.

“The unique barcode on the front of each race number is used by event personnel to scan participants in and out of key medical locations which is then stored in a secure database. Staff use this data to find a quick resolution to issues relating to the whereabouts of a specific participant.

“The end-goal is to provide participants and their loved ones peace of mind that if injury or illness occurs on course they’ll be attended to in a quick, efficient and professional manner.”

Director of Intensive Care Gold Coast University Hospital Dr Brent Richards, who is the director of the internal medical centre for the event, said the event’s ability to innovate its medical processes has positively impacted participants and their supporters.

“Before we had the Chrono Track B-Tag system we spent more time and resources on dealing with people looking for their family members or friends running,” Dr Richards said.

“The innovative application of RFID tracking systems saves us so much time and takes away the guess work of locating runners. We can now be more definite with either a yes, they are in the recovery area for example or no they are still on course.

“The event not only values the safety of its participants but it also values the work of its medical team and the Gold Coast University Hospital. It [Gold Coast Airport Marathon] continues to help us strive for excellence and aspire to be more efficient and effective in how we handle our medical process over race weekend.”

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon will be held this weekend, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July.

It is set to attract close to 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 4km and 2km Junior Dash races.

To enter or for more information visit goldcoastmarathon.com.au