Toowoomba Regional Council approves marathon event sponsorship

Toowoomba Regional Council has this week endorsed $45,000 in sponsorship to help organisers stage the Toowoomba Marathon, presented by Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, 5th May.

The Council approved the sponsorship at its April Ordinary Meeting following an application from event organisers, Gold Coast Events Management Ltd (Events Management Queensland).

Advising that while the sponsorship was directed at the 2024 event, and not for an additional two years as proposed by organisers, there was considerable potential for the race day to develop into a bigger attraction, Toowoomba Region Mayor, Geoff McDonald explained "as the organisers behind the Gold Coast Marathon and Pan Pacific Masters Games, Gold Coast Events Management Ltd has shown it has considerable expertise in staging successful sporting events.

“Council officers have been working with the organisers on different aspects of the Marathon for months. They have played a significant role in liaising with Police and other groups to finalise the race route to ensure minimal disruption to the community on May 5 and input on the traffic management plan.

“It is encouraging to note that 1400 registrations have been lodged, incorporating runs over 2km, 5km, 10km, 21km and the marathon (42km), with expectations for 2000 starters. The half marathon is the most popular distance to date, with 522 registrations.”

The 5km walk/run is being sponsored by the Council’s destination brand, Visit Toowoomba Region.

Mayor McDonald noted “it is anticipated that almost 50% of entrants will be from outside the Toowoomba Region, including many from interstate. There already have been nominations from international runners.

“Aside from the competitive element for the elite entrants, Council is keen to encourage residents to enter various categories to highlight the importance of healthy lifestyles or lure people into a new exercise regime.

“Council considers there are many tourism benefits that will flow from ongoing pre-race publicity and the May 5 races.

“The marathon route will see entrants loop Picnic Point (pictured) and Prince Henry Heights on Toowoomba’s eastern escarpment with the finish chute at the Toowoomba Sports Ground (Clive Berghofer Stadium).

“There are opportunities to showcase the city’s garden image along the race routes in a bid to lure more entrants in 2025, as well as to visit the wider Region.

“Everything is well placed for a successful event and there is great scope to include wider community activities in future dates.

“Any future event expansion would add to the economic return for the Region, particularly for accommodation, restaurant and café proprietors.”

Mayor McDonald said Council would receive a post-event report to quantify details in the sponsorship agreement.