ENTRIES for the Tropical Journey’s Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival are booming.

Registrations have increased by almost 40 per cent compared to this time last year, with interstate and intrastate visitors rising by 37 per cent almost two months out from the event.

The festival, in its sixth year, will take place in Port Douglas on Sunday 6.

“It’s going to have a massive positive impact on the Douglas Shire economy over the event weekend,” said Sam Cullen, Managing Director of the Tropical Journeys Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival.

“There’s already been almost 1600 room nights booked in Port Douglas which is significant considering last years total was 2022.

“We are very fortunate to have wonderful support from both the state and local governments along with all our major sponsors.”

Federal member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, was one of many distinguished guests at the events VIP launch last night at the Sheraton Mirage. He praised organisers for establishing what has become a ‘must do’ attraction on the Australian running calendar and implored them to keep thinking big.

“This is a wonderful event that attracts visitors from around Australia to our region,” Entsch said.

“I congratulate everyone involved and from what we’ve heard this year’s event is going to break all kinds of records.”

Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu, Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Managing Director Sheridan Morris and Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree Executive Officer Tara Bennett were all in attendance last night.

James Cook University’s Emmy Award winning cinematography and marine researcher, Richard Fitzpatrick, and Dr Adam Barnett also gave marine presentations at the launch.

For more information on the event www.greatbarrierreefmarathon.com.au.