This July’s 2024 ASICS Gold Coast Marathon and Half Marathon races have been awarded prestigious World Athletics Labels to officially cement their global standings.

And while the full distance marathon has carried a Label since 2013, this year marks the first time two Oceania distance races at the same event have been awarded the status.

According to Events Management Queensland CEO Ben Mannion, the World Athletics assessment criteria are exhaustive.

“The races must attract international elite fields, the course must be measured, managed, and timed to precise Association of International Marathons and Distance Race (AIMS) and World Athletics standards, a specified number of doping tests must be carried out and the prize money must be equal irrespective of gender or nationality.

“There’s also an understandably strong focus on meeting the highest medical requirements including the physical facilities and the professional qualifications of our medical staff.

“Our event medical director Dr Hayley Frieslich recently completed the Race Emergency Medicine Course (REMC) – a mandatory condition for Label Road Races which trains healthcare professionals

“There’s plenty more criteria to meet including the sustainability of events and provision of top-level spectator opportunities and media operations.

“We’ve met all of the requirements which put our two Gold Coast events in rarified air when it comes to the delivery and experience they offer each and every person who takes part,” Mr Mannion said.

Queensland Minister for Tourism and Sport Michael Healy welcomed the announcement that the Gold Coast Marathon event would now boast two prestigious World Athletics Label races and congratulated the team at Events Management Queensland for their efforts in delivering such a professional and world-class event.

“The Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS is one of the key events in our calendar and the inclusion of two World Athletics Label races takes this showpiece event to a whole new level, positioning Queensland on the world stage.

“This prestigious event not only brings in significant economic and tourism benefits but also highlights our state’s capability to deliver a diverse range of globally recognised events.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate added his heartiest congratulations on the event’s new status on the world distance running stage.

“Events Management Queensland has gone through the rigorous task of meeting the requirements for this recognition and should be very proud of their efforts.

“The fact that this is the first time any distance running event in the Oceania region has achieved two races with World Athletic Labels certainly speaks volumes for the quality of this remarkable home-grown Gold Coast event,” Mayor Tom Tate said.

ASICS Gold Coast Marathon, Half Marathon and Southern Cross University 10km run are currently at capacity. There is still an opportunity to be a part of the action and enter the CPL Wheelchair Marathon and 10km Wheelchair event, the Gold Coast Airport 5km Run, the Gold Coast Bulletin 2km or 4km Junior Dash or the 4km Wheelchair race.

Events Management Queensland proudly delivers the annual ASICS Gold Coast Marathon, Toowoomba Marathon presented by Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport and the biennial Pan Pacific Masters Games and is proudly supported by Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.

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.