Marathon proves trial run for Commonwealth Games

AUSTRALIA'S biggest marathon was launched in lavish style on the Gold Coast yesterday, with Premier Anna Bligh vowing to use the two-day event as an integral part of the city's 2018 Commonwealth Games bid.

Ms Bligh also announced a new $250,000 tourism marketing campaign aimed at luring runners to participate in the 2010 Gold Coast Airport Marathon and spend extra nights in the city.

She said next month's marathon would be a perfect opportunity to showcase the Coast's prowess at hosting a major sporting event.

"It's also a great world-class international event where the Gold Coast can really show what it's capable of," she said.

"It's a great feather in the cap that we'll be showcasing to the Commonwealth Games delegates next year."

Ms Bligh said interstate and foreign competitors, particularly from Asia, would be a major target of the tourism campaign.

More than 6700 runners from outside Queensland, including almost 2000 international participants, contested last year's event, and more are expected this year.