The fresh, excited face of the Gold Coast Airport Marathon will be unveiled amidst the hum of tiny feet during the 2km and 4km Junior Dash races this Saturday 5 July as part of the Gold Coast Airport Marathon.

More than 1800 competitors aged from five to 14 will take part in the Junior Dash races, on the opening day of the marathon weekend (the 2km race starts at 9.25am and the 4km race starts at 9.40am at the Southport Broadwater Parklands).

Events Management Queensland CEO Cameron Hart said these two races were the perfect introduction to what is now a highly respected international event.

“What better way to introduce young boys and girls into a major sporting occasion,” he said.

“These youngsters will travel parts of the same course, the same finish line as the legends this weekend. Even better, they will have friends and family – Mum and Dad – cheering them on. What an amazing feeling.

“The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is all about being part of the event and from five years of age, these children can experience it all.”

“The family emphasis is really borne out in the Junior Dash. For the youngest (runners can start from five years of age) we allow parents to run alongside their son or daughter.

“Kids by nature run a lot and many of them already do cross-country races and other events at school. This is an opportunity to put that natural enthusiasm into something substantial – to be part of a major event. We have had great growth over the years in this particular event and that looks like it will continue.”

Hart said many families were involved in running as part of a healthy and active lifestyle and all events across the weekend, especially the Junior Dash, were an opportunity to bring that activity to a major event and be part of it.

“For most sporting events, to participate at a championship level you need to qualify through a regime of local, regional and state events,” he said.

“For this one, you just pay your money and you use the same start and finish line as some of the world’s best runners. This year the event has the prestigious Gold Label tag, we have a world class  field and the men’s marathon record will almost certainly fall. So, if you are a runner, and you have your bucket list, you can say you have competed at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon.”

Although the Junior Dash has an emphasis on participation, it also attracts plenty of
elite juniors, keen to take out the 2km and 4km boys and girls titles.

There has been plenty of talk of the crack men’s marathon field giving that record a real shake this weekend, however there will also be plenty of juniors targeting their benchmarks.

For example, outstanding local running talent Katelyn Simpson set the girls 4km record at 13min:19secs back in 2008 – the third time in a row she took out that race. The closest anyone has come to that was in 2012, when two-time winner Nozomi Tanaka notched a 13.54.

The other records are: boys 4km Riley Cocks 12:19 (2010); girls 2km Katrina Robinson 6:54 (2011); boys 2km Kobi Rutherford 6:43 (2011).

Entries to all races close at 8pm on Friday July 4. Entry details are available on the Gold Coast Airport Marathon’s official site goldcoastmarathon.com.au

Anybody who can’t make it to the race precinct on Sunday 6 July can watch the marathon via a live digital telecast and see the live results at goldcoastmarathon.com.au

Also, the main pre-race hub for the Gold Coast Airport Marathon will be at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from Thursday night, July 3. This is where the Check In Centre will be housed as well as the ASICS Sport & Leisure Expo.

The Expo will have more than 60 exhibitors with a wide range of health and fitness products. The Expo is open to the general public.

Another major highlight at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre will be the AirAsia Legends Lunch on Saturday 5 July. Appearing at the lunch will be a host of running greats including Rob de Castella, Steve Moneghetti, Pat Carroll, Lee Troop, Benita Willis and Mok Ying Ren.

This lunch is open to the general public with tickets available at goldcoastmarathon.com.au

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is a major highlight on Queensland’s event calendar, attracting people from more than 30 countries and showcasing the Gold Coast as a premier sporting event destination.

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.

Participants also have the opportunity to dedicate their run and raise funds for the official charity Cancer Council Queensland or for a charity of their choice.

For more information visit goldcoastmarathon.com.au.