Must Do Great Barrier Reef Marathon Raises $55K For Marine Research

The Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival just keeps taking everything in its stride (if you'll pardon the pun) and this year was no different. Another record-breaking event, festival ambassadors expect to see even more people joining the Great Barrier Reef Marathon next year. Not only does the event promote good health, it's also for a good cause with more than 1900 participants helping to raise over $55,000 for marine research.

Fast becoming one of Australian running's 'must do' events, the Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival is held in the tropical oasis of Port Douglas and offers something for all skill levels. From the 2.3km Junior Challenge to the 5km Calypso Fun Run, you don't have to be an elite athlete to enjoy the event. However there's still plenty for athletes to enjoy including the 10km Newsport Daily, the 21km Sheraton Mirage Resort Half Marathon, the 42km Steve Moneghetti Adventure Marathon and the ultimate test of endurance - the 74km JCU Ultra Marathon.

Olympic marathon champion Steve Moneghetti considers the Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival the best adventure course in the world. Combining the diverse landscapes of Port Douglas, the event features trail, road and beach running allowing you to get up close and personal with the beauty of amazing Port Douglas. All races begin on the flat compact sand of Four Mile Beach and with some races scheduled for sunrise and others scheduled at sunset, you'll be treated to some spectacular colours over the Coral Sea. There's no better place to recover from a marathon than right here in paradise.

Festival ambassador and Rio Olympian Jess Trengove took out the women's 10km race this year and has urged everyone to continue spreading the world about the wonderful event and how welcoming and fun the experience is. It also offers some of the prettiest scenery of any marathon in Australia, just try not to get too distracted while out on the course!

(16th November 2016)