OLYMPIC champions Steve Moneghetti and Jess Trengove have signed up to be starters at the Tropical Journeys Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival.

Moneghetti confirmed his role as Event Ambassador for the 5th consecutive year, bringing more star power and speed to the field in the aptly named, Steve Moneghetti Marathon. He will by “Best job in the World” winner Ben Southall at the November 6 event in Port Douglas.

“I love this event, it’s one of my favourite on the racing calendar,” Moneghetti said.

“The hospitality from the event team and all the runners, paired with an epic course, and that Bump Track, will keep me coming back for as long as they’ll have me.”

Having recently returned from the Rio Olympics, Jess Trengove, who placed 22nd out of a field of 150 in the Women’s Marathon, is thrilled to be coming back to Port Douglas with partner Dylan Stenson (Australian 800m runner) to run the 10km race again.

“Last year was amazing, to be able to run on such a brilliant and challenging course was epic – then we were able to meet all the other participants and chill out in paradise”, Trengove said.

“Dylan and I are looking forward to coming back up to one of our favourite destinations and running events.”

For the first time in it’s short history, the JCU 74km Ultra Marathon is also represented strongly with Tourism Queensland Ambassador Ben Southall, who won the “Best Job in the World” competition, lining up this year.

“Ben is no stranger to the region having participated in our very first half marathon back in 2011,” says Bruno Bennett, Tropical Journeys Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival Race Director.

“He spends his year travelling the globe with his wife Sophee, taking on adventure challenges and promoting events. We are thrilled he has come on as an Event Ambassador for the next two years. Ben’s also no stranger to the lense so if you’re running in the ultra, be prepared for Ben and his GoPro and a quick chat along the way.