By Kerry Larsen - kerry@thenewsport.com.au

Far North Queensland’s tilt at becoming a major sporting event destination has received a boost with the upcoming inaugural Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival receiving State Government funding.

Events Queensland has recognised the event, to be held in Port Douglas this November, by awarding $20,000 from their Regional Development Program (EQRDP).

Port Douglas Event Management (PDEM) Business Development Director, Bruno Bennett, said the funding not only allowed 2011’s inaugural festival to be showcased to its fullest potential, but augured well for coming years.

"The EQ funding gives us the confidence to move forward on our plans to establish a major international marathon event in this region,” Mr Bennett said.

“With the phenomenon of next year’s Solar Eclipse Marathon in Port Douglas, organised by international event professionals Albatross Travel and Travelling
Fit, we are well on the way to achieving this goal for 2013."

The event is starting to attract elite athletes with entries from around the world, including Japan, Thailand, New Zealand and America, while an enquiry from a Kenyan runner has sent organisers into a buzz.

Major Australian drawcard, former Olympian and festival ambassador, Steve Monaghetti, will feature in the Great Barrier Reef Half Marathon or Steve Moneghetti Open Invitational, while reigning Ultraman world champion, Michael Le Roux, will feature in the 74km ultra marathon.

"I'm delighted the State Government has seen the potential of this event and that things are moving so fast,” Monghetti said.

“I can't wait to enjoy the run in such an amazing place as Port Douglas.”

After being crowned world champion in Hawaii last November, Edge Hill-based Le Roux came first in June’s Cairns Airport Challenge Cairns 35-39 ironman age group and has been training more recently for ultra-marathon and ultra-triathlon events.

Le Roux said while he was pleased he would be competing against top national and international athletes, he was thrilled at the prospect of local runners being able to compete alongside some of the world’s best.

"With this race being run in November, I'm pleased that our local running clubs will have an advantage being used to the conditions around that time (of year).

“I'm sure there will be some surprise performances from our locals,” he said, where runners of all ages can also take part in the 10km run or the Fundy 5000, where proceeds would go to Brisbane’s Royal Children’s Hospital.

The event has also been backed by Tourism Queensland Director, Jeff Gillies, who believes the Great Barrier Reef Festival will also boost tourism within Port Douglas.

“We are excited about the addition of an adventure marathon to the fantastic suite of annual events in tropical north Queensland,” he said.

“The region is simply a magnificent stage and we’re sure the competitors and their families will have an amazing time. After the race is run, what better place to recover and reward than in paradise?”

PDEM Managing Director, Sam Cullen, said registrations for the festival had been made easy with the introduction of the first ever online event shop, where travel options were clearly set out to ensure race entries, accommodation, tours and airport transfers could be selected and confirmed online.

The festival will also see social events take place within Port Douglas, including the Pasta Powerup Party at the Meridien Marina on Friday, November 11, giving entrants the opportunity to carb-load before Saturday’s races, culminating in the Ultra Festival Celebrations Dinner at the historic Port Douglas Sugar Wharf on Saturday, November 12, to wind up the day’s festivities.