IAAF Bronze Label status for the McDonald’s Half Marathon race is a coup for The 7 Sunshine Coast Marathon Festival, one of only four road races in Australia to hold ‘IAAF Label’ certification this year.
Sunshine Coast Council Tourism, Events and Sport Portfolio Councillor Jason O’Pray said the international accreditation was a very exciting development for a Sunshine Coast based event.
“It will continue to drive the high level expectations that comes with hosting the Australian Half Marathon Championships in 2019,” Cr O’Pray said.
“In recent years the Marathon has grown with the support of Sunshine Coast Council – attracting more than 3600 athletes from outside our region to compete in the event in 2018.
“This new accreditation gives the event the status which will continue to draw increasing numbers of national and international competitors and visitors the quality event.”
The IAAF annually awards road race labels to events whose organisers have met strict criteria for excellence in road race delivery and execution.
The 7 Sunshine Coast Half Marathon satisfied the six key factors of race organisation, course measurement, timing and results, media services, medical provisions and the overall quality of international elite runners.
This label categorises the best elite races, giving athletes, fans and media guidance on the world’s finest competitions – great news for competitors looking to run a personal best, as this status signifies this is one of the fastest Half Marathon courses in Australia.
Event Director Jason Crowther said the new status would entice many elite international and domestic runners.
“It establishes the 7 Sunshine Coast Marathon Festival as a major event on the international running calendar,” Mr Crowther said.
As a destination event, organisers have worked to ensure travel and accommodation options are easy to navigate. Travel packages cater for the drive market and competitors flying in from Auckland, Adelaide, Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney.
The ‘IAAF Road Race Label’ has this year been awarded to only 78 road races and 17 Half Marathons globally, including the Boston Marathon, Tokyo Marathon, Seoul Marathon, Prague Full and Half Marathon’s and London Marathon.
The 7 Sunshine Coast Marathon Festival will be held August 2-4 with the main event precinct located in the heart of Alexandra Headland.
To enter this iconic marathon event or find out about travel packages for friends and family go to .
