Australia’s fastest male and female distance runners will vie for line honours as the 7 Sunshine Coast Marathon, secures hosting rights of the Athletics Australia Half Marathon Championships for another three years.

The event set to take place on 16th August 2020 has seen a number of course records tumble over the years, including the Female Australian All Comers Record by Lisa Weightman in 2019 in a time of 1:08:48 making her the fastest female runner on Australian soil. The event has been dubbed as the ‘fastest half’ with event survey results showing over 50% of participants record a personal best (PB) at the event.

7 Sunshine Coast Marathon event director and Atlas Multisports founder Jason Crowther looks forward to hosting the National Championships for the next three years and welcomes Australia’s top runners back to the Sunshine Coast.

“Feedback received from international and interstate runners is always extremely positive, with many stating the community ‘is really supportive’ making for an outstanding event atmosphere.”

“They love the perfect August running conditions coupled with the event’s out and back beachfront course from Alexandra Headland to Mooloolaba and Maroochydore.”

“This course has proven itself to be fast and with an increasing number of elite and recreational runners coming from outside the region we want to show them what the Sunshine Coast has to offer.”

Crowther said the one lap 21.1km course was designed to be enjoyed by all runners but also to appeal to competitive athletes who had specific goal times.

He said the Sunshine Coast’s beachside location, festival atmosphere and mild winter running conditions created an ideal environment for a record-breaking race.

“The half marathon is our most popular event as it’s a challenging but achievable goal for many people,” he said.

“We’ve seen an increase in the number of people embracing road running as they make health and fitness a priority and coming to the Sunshine Coast to run in winter means they can reward themselves with a holiday afterwards.”

Sunshine Coast Council Tourism, Events and Sport Portfolio Councillor Jason O’Pray said our healthy, smart, creative region had long been regarded as one of Australia’s leading destinations for mass participation events like the Marathon.

“Securing the hosting rights to the Athletics Australian Half Marathon is a reflection of theSunshine Coast’s world-class standard of event delivery, and the continued industry demand for sporting events,” Cr O’Pray said.

“Our stunning Alexandra Headland location is a fitness hub every day of the week, it is a great place to train and compete, so it is no wonder more and more competitors are recording a personal best at this event.

“The event draws international and interstate runners which is important for our tourism industry. It is also great to see the whole local community getting in on the action as well, competing for fun or a PB, volunteering, sponsoring or just cheering on as spectators from their balconies and the sidelines.”

http://www.sunshinecoastmarathon.com.au

About the 7 Sunshine Coast Marathon 

15 – 16 August, 2020

A member of the Association of International Marathons & Road Races (AIMS), the 7 Sunshine Coast Marathon and Community Running Festival is one of the most-loved running festivals in Australia. Since its inception the 7 Sunshine Coast Marathon has raised over $1.5 million for charity and community groups.