Gold Coast Airport CEO Chris Mills and Chief Operating Officer Marion Charlton will join more than 70 airport staff, their friends and family at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon on 1 – 2 July

Gold Coast Airport CEO Chris Mills will go head to head with his Chief Operating Officer Marion Charlton at this year’s Gold Coast Airport Marathon, backed by a team of more than 70 airport staff, their friends and family.

Mr Mills and Ms Charlton are both running in the Southern Cross University 10km Run, joined by team members competing across the various marathon events.

GCA has been the naming rights sponsor of the Gold Coast Airport Marathon since 2003 and has entered a corporate team for 15 years in a row.

Mr Mills said the airport encouraged its staff to get involved and even supported some inter-department rivalry.

“Our team loves getting involved each year and we have a great spread of competitors across each of the marathon events,” Mr Mills said.

“A number of informal training groups have been established, with staff running before and after work, and even in their lunch breaks, in preparation.

“There is certainly some inter-team rivalry every year – our Property and Infrastructure team always has a strong presence, with its numbers rivalled this year by our People and Technology team, most of whom are participating in the 10km race.

“But at the end of the day rivalry turns to camaraderie and this event really brings our staff together.

“We’re proud of our long association with the Gold Coast Airport Marathon which, like the airport, has enjoyed significant growth in the time we have been naming rights sponsor.”

Team member Paul Callaghan, who has participated many times including a personal best performance in the ASICS Half Marathon last year, said the two-day event was an opportunity to achieve a goal alongside his colleagues.

“Over the past couple of months, we have been going for training runs before work through the beautiful beachside suburbs of Tugun, Bilinga and Coolangatta,” Paul said.

“It’s a fantastic chance to encourage each other towards a goal, whether it be the 5.7km or the marathon, and share the experience together as a team on race weekend.

“It’s a beautiful time of the year to run as it’s not too hot and all the locals come out on the course to cheer you on. The atmosphere is amazing and unique to the Gold Coast.”

Gold Coast Airport is one of 301 teams registered for this year’s Gold Coast Airport Marathon on 1 – 2 July.

The Queensland Government is proud to support the 2017 Gold Coast Airport Marathon through Tourism and Events Queensland as part of the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.

The 39th annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon will be held on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 July.

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