Tropical Journeys GBR Marathon to boost $3million locally next weekend
MAJOR EVENT
The 2018 Tropical Journeys Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival hits Port Douglas next Sunday and is expected to bring a huge economic boost to the region.
2,500 runners and their family and friends from across fifteen countries will descend on Port Douglas on the 28th October and are expected to inject close to $3 million dollars into the regional economy.
Event organiser Bruno Bennett said the event is getting bigger and better every year.
“This year will be our biggest by far. We’ve already passed our number of registrations from last year and we can get up to 700 in the last 10 days.
“We expect around about 4000 people coming to Port Douglas next Sunday and around 70% will stay one night.”
GBR Marathon Race. Stay. Play. in Port Douglas Promotion Trailer
Bennett attributes the growing success of the Marathon to the unique location with event organisers heavily promoting the Race Stay Play message.
“It’s a great place to come and have a little bit of a holiday and go for a run,” he said.
“A lot of people like to combine their running experience with coming to Port Douglas and the region so I think that’s what’s made it successful over the years.”
“There’s plenty of different events, anyone can get in and have a bit of fun and get involved and they can register right up until the time of the event. We’d just like to invite everyone to get involved.”
He also added that the the exposure the event brings with it is another big boost to the region.
“A lot of people come from overseas, many that haven’t been here before so it’s spreading the word around the world.”
Tara Bennett from Tourism Port Douglas Daintree said that Port Douglas accommodation providers will be at high occupancy for that weekend.
“It’s fantastic at a time of the year were we do see visitation drop off a little bit that we have an additional influx of visitors.”
Registrations are still open with all who register going into the draw to win a trip to Rome.
For more information and your chance to win flights for two Rome, Italy visit: www.greatbarrierreefmarathon.com.au
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