Cook MP Jason O'Brien has become the first person to sign up for the Steve Moneghetti Invitational half marathon to be held in Port Douglas in November.

The event is part of the inaugural Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival which also includes a gruelling 74km ultra marathon, a 10km race, and a 5km 'Fundy 5000' which encourages people to join in the fun and dress up or down in the name of charity.

"I'll be there, if not with bells on at least with every intention of being as competitive as possible," Mr O'Brien said.

Mr O'Brien, an avid runner and rugby league referee, said the event will deliver a much needed boost to the town.

"This is an important event for Port in terms of injecting some money into the local economy and helping boost our hard-hit tourism sector, so I do encourage as many people as possible to take part and to spread the word."

Mr O'Brien said the half marathon event will form part of his preparations to compete in the Solar Eclipse Marathon in November 2012.

For more information on the Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival, including online registrations, visit the website.