Atlas Events welcome announcement of Sunshine Coast as location for 2032 Olympic and Paralympic marathons

Atlas Events, organisers of the Sunshine Coast Marathon, welcomed the recent announcement that the 2032 men’s and women’s Olympic and Paralympic marathon events will be held on the Sunshine Coast.

Atlas Events founder and managing director Jason Crowther noted “for the blue-ribbon marathon event to be held here on the Sunshine Coast makes the occasion event great. As an athlete, local business owner and father of two young daughters, to have such a monumental and historic event in our backyard is something I’d never have imagined.”

As the event director of the existing annual Sunshine Coast Marathon, Crowther has witnessed the popularity of the event grow significantly since it began in 2012.

Thousands of runners across all distances (2km, 5km, 10km, 21.1km and 42.2km) have already registered to take part in this year’s event, scheduled for Sunday 15th August.

The Sunshine Coast Marathon starts and finishes on the beachfront at Alexandra Headland and takes runners on a multi-lap course along several beachfronts where they enjoy flat and fast conditions against an ocean backdrop.

Crowther said the organiser’s decision to hold the Games’ blue-ribbon event, which is

traditionally scheduled on the final day of competition ahead of the closing ceremony, on the Sunshine Coast would pay dividends for the region.

“More than 50% of our competitors return each year because it’s such an enjoyable event held at an iconic destination.

“Runners bring their families, friends and running mates. Spectators line the course creating an electric atmosphere. Plus, it’s a course that’s renowned for producing fast times.

“The Olympics is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to showcase everything we know and love about our region to a global audience.”

Gold Coast Commonwealth Games medallist Lisa Weightman, who is representing Australia in the women’s Marathon at her fourth Olympics in Tokyo this month, is one of several elites who regularly race at the Sunshine Coast event each year. She set a new Australian All-comers record half marathon time of 68:48 on the course in 2019.

Weightman said dreams will be realised in 2032 as the next generation of sporting stars experienced a lifechanging moment.

Weightman added “winning a silver medal for Australia on the Gold Coast at the Commonwealth Games with my family and friends supporting me was the greatest moment in my sporting career.

“Sunshine Coast offers the full package. A fast course, a comfortable climate, and picturesque views in a beautiful part of the world. It’s a place that is dear to my heart and I couldn’t think of a better place to run an Olympic marathon.”

The Sunshine Coast has been identified as the location for the 2032 Men’s and Women’s Olympic and Paralympic Marathon events, cycling (road, time trials and Paralympic disciplines) and kiteboarding.

The Sunshine Coast will also be home to four key Olympic venues and play an integral role in Brisbane 2032.

Image: Sunshine Coast Alexandra Headland Marathon.