On the back of overwhelming support for the event’s recent announcement on achieving the highest international recognition of an International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Road Race Gold Label, the Gold Coast Airport Marathon is proud to confirm Athletics Australia have selected it as the host of the 2014 Australian Marathon Championships.

The Australian Marathon Championships will crown both the men’s and women’s national champion along with a state or territory based teams champion on Sunday 6 July.

Gold Coast Airport Marathon General Manager Cameron Hart said the announcement is an exciting addition to this year’s race program as it will add further prestige to the world class event.

“This will be the first time the Australian Marathon Championships will be contested on an IAAF Road Race Gold Label course,” Mr Hart said.

“The championships will attract a high quality field of Australian elite marathoners from all states and territories who will race on one of the fastest and flattest courses in the country.

“Six of the fastest 10 marathons run by men on Australian soil have been on our course, highlighting the real potential for our elites to post personal best times or Australian marathon records.”

Mr Hart said the Gold Coast Airport Marathon is committed to encouraging and supporting distance running in Australia by broadcasting the championships to an international television audience.

“The Australian Marathon Championships, as part of our international television agreement, will be aired on 77 networks across 64 countries,” Mr Hart said.

“It will be the perfect opportunity to showcase the quality of Australian marathon running internationally and our ability to deliver world class marathons.”

Mr Hart said the Australian Marathon Championships will include an individual and team component prompting a friendly rivalry between each state and territory.

“The championships involve each state and territory nominating a team of six athletes with three runners eligible to score points towards the team results,” Mr Hart said.

“Entry into the championships are open to any runner registered with their state or territory athletic association and eligible to compete under the By Laws of Athletics Australia.

“It will give the spectators the opportunity to display their state colours with pride and ignite the state vs state argument prevalent within all sporting codes.”

Athletics Australia CEO Dallas O’Brien said that the elevation of the race to IAAF Road Race Gold Label made the event the best possible candidate to act as host of the Australian Marathon Championships.

“Athletics Australia is thrilled to announce the Gold Coast Airport Marathon as the host of the Australian Marathon Championship. The event was already one of the most outstanding road races in the country, and its recent elevation to IAAF Gold Label status made it a very worthy candidate to welcome the race this year,” O’Brien said.

“I have no doubt that the organising committee will do all they can to welcome the country’s best distance athletes in ideal surrounds for strong performances, and I encourage runners from each and every state and territory to target competing in this event. There is no higher honour domestically than being the Australian champion of your event, and we wish you all the best of luck.”

Last year, Queensland’s Sharon Ryder claimed the women’s title in 3:01:43 while New South Welshman Alex Matthews won the men’s race in 2:25:32.

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon will be held on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July in one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world in Queensland, Australia.

It is set to attract more than 30,000 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.

For more information visit goldcoastmarathon.com.au.