Key economic findings have confirmed the success of the 2022 Gold Coast Marathon.

The Tourism and Events Queensland Tourism Value analysis delivers a glowing assessment of the city’s largest mass participation event which returned in spectacular fashion in early July after a three-year coronavirus induced break.

And return it did with 19,546 people lacing up, including United States and Japanese athletes who took the spoils in the women’s and men’s full distance events and plenty of outright and age race records set across the weekend.

According to Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe the Gold Coast Marathon’s post-Covid return highlighted the importance of significant sporting events to the Gold Coast’s visitor economy.

“Post-event analysis by Tourism and Events Queensland shows more than 34,000 competitors and spectators visited the Gold Coast for the marathon,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“They invested almost $25 million in the Gold Coast’s visitor economy from accommodation, hospitality and transport providers to restaurants, cafes and tourism operators.

“More than half of the marathon’s international and interstate visitors went on to explore other parts of the State for a whole-of-Queensland tourism experience.

“The Gold Coast Marathon’s return is another good example of the contribution of significant events to Queensland’s robust, post-Covid domestic tourism recovery.

“And there’s more on the horizon.

“Queensland’s green and gold runway to the 2032 Games is delivering two decades of golden opportunity to add more national and international sporting and visitor experiences to the Gold Coast events calendar.”

Events Management Queensland CEO Cameron Hart said the strong local, interstate and international endorsement of the event bodes well for the future.

“Our established and new sponsors relished in the success of this year’s event, and they tell us they are looking to continue backing Australia’s greatest marathon festival over coming years,” Mr Hart said.

“This year’s bounce back was more than we could have expected, particularly with the calibre of our elite fields with so many top international runners backing the event.

“It’s a great endorsement of the quality of our marathon, the unmatched way in which this city hosts events such as this and a taste of the major event organisational capabilities that people can expect from a Queensland Olympic Games in 2032,” he said.

Reflecting on the bumper crowds which lined the course, Mr Hart said the success of the 2022 Gold Coast Marathon also provided a timely memory jolt to many people.

“During the three-year absence, I think locals had forgotten how good the event is, and how important it is for the local wellbeing and economic benefits it delivers.

“As bonus, Gold Coasters and visitors get a free trackside view of a world class sports event,” he said.

The annual Gold Coast Marathon is organised by Events Management Queensland and is proudly supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.