Global automotive brand Chery will power into their first ever Australian sponsorship this month taking up the 2023 naming rights of the world-renowned Gold Coast Marathon held on Queensland’s Gold Coast annually on the first weekend of July.

With just over one week until more than 24,000 participants take to the tourism mecca’s course famous for its fast, flat and scenic route, Chery’s OMODA 5, illuminated by a roof set timing clock, will lead the elite running group from the start line.

There will also be a selection of vehicles located throughout the race precinct and ASICS Sport and Leisure Expo.

A global leader in innovation and design, Chery is one of the world’s largest exporters of motor vehicles, exporting to more than 80 countries with over 11 million cars sold worldwide.

The opportunity to align our motor vehicles with Australia’s premier road race and world-class event drove Chery to the Gold Coast Marathon, with its reputation for exceptional delivery and participant experience,” said Chery Motor Australia, Managing Director, Andy Zhang.

“We are delighted to be a part of this iconic event which will be known as the ‘2023 Gold Coast Marathon powered by Chery’.

“This event provides us with a platform to showcase our vehicles to a global audience through its online networks and importantly offers the thousands of participants, friends and family with an opportunity to get up close and personal and witness first-hand the innovation and premium vehicle design.

“The Chery team will be onsite at the Gold Coast Marathon precinct and event expo to chat to anyone interested in learning more about our stylish and feature-packed vehicles.”

Queensland Minister for Tourism and Sport Stirling Hinchliffe said:

“Securing a major naming rights sponsor like Chery Motor further reinforces the Gold Coast Marathon’s international standing as a major global event.

“The 43rd edition of the great race is expected to attract thousands of competitors from across Australia and more than 48 countries, many, along with their support crews, will stay on to experience everything this great region has to offer.

“It will also provide a boost to the local visitor economy with the event predicted to generate more than 90,000 visitor nights and almost $27 million for the economy, helping to support good Queensland tourism jobs.”

Events Management Queensland CEO, Ben Mannion said they were very proud that Chery Motor had selected the Gold Coast Marathon for their inaugural foray into event sponsorship in Australia.

“We know that the quality of our product, customer experience, satisfaction and innovation in delivery are values we share with Chery Motor with the sponsorship enabling them to reach new customers, build relationships and increase awareness of the Chery brand.

“We welcome Chery Motor to the Gold Coast Marathon stable of long-term national and international event sponsors and partners who collectively recognise the opportunity an alignment with this outstanding and iconic Australian mass participation event delivers,” Mr Mannion said.

The 2023 Gold Coast Marathon powered by Chery weekend will feature the 42.195km marathon, the CPL Wheelchair Marathon, ASICS Half Marathon, Southern Cross University 10km Run, CPL Wheelchair 10km, Gold Coast Airport 5km Fun Run and the Health and Wellbeing Queensland 2km and 4km Junior Dashes.

The Gold Coast Double 63.3km event – contested by hardy runners competing in both Saturday’s half and Sunday’s full marathon – will also be contested.

The Gold Coast Marathon powered by Chery 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.

Events Management Queensland acknowledges and pays respect to the Kombumerri people of the Yugambeh language region, the Saltwater People of the Gold Coast, as the traditional owners of the lands and waters upon which we invite and welcome participants from across the globe to experience our events.

Check out the Omoda 5 from Chery Motor Australia here.