Registrations are now open for what will be one of the most exciting sporting events in Port Douglas history - the Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival.

The website, which was launched today showcases the festival and its spectacular location, and provides an opportunity for people keen to take part in the inaugural event to register.

To be held on 12 November 2011, the Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival offers a variety of events catering for all ages and all abilities, from a gentle 5km course to an epic 74km ultra marathon.

"We want to hold a festival that is inclusive, not exclusive, so that everyone can get involved," said Port Douglas Event Management managing director, Sam Cullen.

"That's why we've designed courses of varying distances and difficulties, so people can rise to their own personal challenge.

"Aside from being visually enticing, the website is easy to use and is packed with information on the Festival from race information and registrations, to festival events and accommodation packages," he said.

Australian Olympic legend and Event Ambassador, Steve Moneghetti. said the location alone should be enough to attract people to get involved.

"It's a great part of the world. There's parts of Port Douglas and the Great Barrier Reef region that you'll see running in an event like this that you won't see at any other time. It's one of the reasons I'm going.

"Anything that gets people active and interested and wanting to be involved is a good thing so the diverse range of distances is important for kids, families, and people who are just starting to exercise, right up to people who are used to the ultra marathon challenge."

The 2011 Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival will be the first in a series of annual running events to be held in Port Douglas, which includes the much anticipated 2012 Solar Eclipse Marathon.

"To maintain the uniqueness of 2012 it was decided that 2011 would feature an Ultra Marathon of 74 kilometres, 2012 would be the year of the Eclipse Adventure Marathon and in 2013…just wait and see," Mr Cullen said.

For more information and to register for the 2011 event, go to the Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival website.