Two days remain for runners to take advantage of the early bird registration fees for races at this year’s 38th annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon to be held on the weekend of 2 – 3 July.

Events Management Queensland, the event organiser, has set this year’s early bird entry deadline at midnight this Thursday (28 April).

Events Management Queensland CEO Cameron Hart said the early bird deadline means that runners can take advantage of lower entry fees and secure their commitment to this year’s event.

“Most running events around the world have an early bird registration period which enables runners to not only take advantage of lower fees but also make a personal commitment to training in readiness for their race,” said Cameron.

“Once you make an official commitment to an event, it can act as a motivator for you to get out there and do the necessary training and preparation and give yourself every chance of achieving your personal goals.

“There are just over nine weeks to go until this year’s Gold Coast Airport Marathon, which presents nine weeks of quality training for all our participants.

“For guidance, our official event website, goldcoastmarathon.com.au, has lots of different resources to assist runners in their preparation.”

One of those runners is 28-year-old local runner Leesa Habener who will take on the full 42.195km marathon for the first time.

Leesa, from Coomera, will be on the start line for the Gold Coast Airport Marathon alongside her brother Matthew Klau and father Dennis Klau.

“My brother and I were inspired to attempt this challenge after Dad completed his first marathon at the age of 50,” said Leesa.

“Dad is the reason why we started running and we have been bitten by the bug.

“We were there to support him complete his first marathon for his 50th birthday and now we’ll all be doing one together.”

Cameron said registration data shows that approximately 30 percent of the marathon field will be running the 42.195km race for the first time.

“It’s an exciting and momentous time training for and then experiencing your debut marathon,” he said.

“I ran my debut marathon a few years ago in Japan and the whole experience of the preparation and the event stays with you forever.

“The regular training and reward for the constant improvement in your running ability is extraordinary.”

Cameron said Leesa is a great example of where the Gold Coast Airport Marathon is experiencing growth this year.

“Local numbers for the event are up 10 percent on the same time last year, and entries in the full 42.195km Gold Coast Airport Marathon are tracking 11 percent up,” said Cameron.

“The way we are going, we will reach our quota of marathon and half marathon runners well before race weekend.

“So I encourage everyone to get in nice and early, take advantage of the early bird registration fees and secure your spot on the start line for what has become one of the world’s great running events.”

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is organised by Events Management Queensland, a major event management company wholly owned by the Queensland Government as part of Tourism and Events Queensland Group.

Set to attract more than 27,000 participants of all ages and abilities, this year’s race program will feature the 42.195km Gold Coast Airport Marathon, Wheelchair Marathon, ASICS Half Marathon, Wheelchair 15km, Southern Cross University 10km Run, Suncorp Bank 5.7km Challenge and Zespri Junior Dash 4km and 2km races.

For the third year, the Gold Coast Airport Marathon has been awarded a prestigious International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Road Race Gold Label.