|
THE 2006 Gold Coast Airport Marathon – the Telstra Australian Marathon Championships – received a major boost today with the announcement that Athens Olympian Lee Troop will return to top-level competition at the Sunday 2nd July event.
Renowned as one of this country’s toughest distance runners, Troop has been plagued by a string of injuries that have kept him on the sidelines for the best part of two years.
One of only five Australian runners to run under 2:10 for the marathon – his personal best is a 2:09:49 at Lake Biwa, Japan – Troop says he is looking to again break the ‘magical mark’ and claim his first Australian title.
Under the expert guidance of mentor and coach, Steve Moneghetti, the spectacular Gold Coast course also offers him his first opportunity to set a qualifying mark for the 2007 Osaka World Championships and break Brad Camp’s 1989 Coast race record of 2:10:11.
"It will be great to get back and it’s terrific the Gold Coast Airport Marathon has presented itself at a time when my body is 100% healthy and I’m ready to go," Troop said.
"In Sydney 2000 I tore the rectus adominus muscle in my stomach, which lead to a twisted pelvis sacrum.
"Without really appreciating the severity of the injury, I chose relief treatments rather than getting it properly diagnosed and repaired.
"I had a two centimetre leg to leg difference which understandably brought on a number of lower leg injuries that have plagued me on and off over the last six years.
"Six months ago I set my mind on a full recovery and did everything properly - although it’s been a long and tough past half year.
"In hindsight though, missing the Melbourne Commonwealth Games was probably a blessing in disguise because it has allowed me to embark on a proper comeback for the first time," he said.
Athletics Australia CEO Danny Corcoran said the Telstra Australian Marathon Championships continue to grow in stature and welcomed Troop’s commitment to the event.
"Lee is one of Australia’s great marathoners and his choice to make his comeback on the Gold Coast as part of the Telstra Championships shows the status of the event, and the quality of the course.
"Queensland Events continued commitment to working with Athletics Australia and Telstra to build a great marathon augurs well for not only the future of the race, but also Queensland’s bid for the 2011 IAAF World Championships," Mr Corcoran said.
And in a day of announcements at Athletics Australia’s Melbourne offices, it was also revealed that the other four Australian sub 2:10 runners would gather for a special reunion during the Gold Coast Airport Marathon.
Troop, Moneghetti, Robert de Castella, Pat Carroll and Derek Clayton will be on the Coast as guests of the Marathon organisers Queensland Events Gold Coast (QEGC).
QEGC General Manager, Cameron Hart, said Troop’s early commitment and the attendance of the running legends bodes well for another massive weekend of marathon activities.
"Lee’s qualification attempt and the winning combination of the Gold Coast Airport Marathon and Telstra Australian Marathon Championships are sure to give us a boost as we head towards our goal of eclipsing last year’s record of 12,711 competitors," Mr Hart said.
"Having Troopy put his hand up so early will initiate even greater interest from international and domestic stakeholders," he said.
The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is an award-winning event attracting athletes from every Australian state and territory, the Asia-Pacific region and over 35 countries worldwide.
"The Japanese particularly are coming back in ever-increasing numbers and that’s wonderful to see," Mr Hart said.
"They consider our event one of the premier events at which they can combine a fantastic holiday with a world class sporting experience.
"And let’s not forget the Kiwis and runners from the United States, Europe and other parts of Asia who support our Marathon so strongly.
"There’s no doubt at all the Gold Coast Airport Marathon continues to prove its value as a drawcard for the highly lucrative sports tourism market.
"And it was a great thrill to recently announce our naming-rights sponsor - Gold Coast Airport - has lined up for another three years.
"They have been a tremendous supporter over the past three years and we look forward to building upon our already rock solid relationship," he said.
Gold Coast City Mayor, distance running legend Ron Clarke, said the city was once again right behind the Gold Coast Airport Marathon.
"It's an iconic event, not just for the Gold Coast, but for the whole of Australia.
"The vision and excitement this event generates across the nation is absolutely astounding and it has the full support of the Gold Coast City Council," he said.
Aside from the feature event - the 42km Gold Coast Airport Marathon - key events also include the Asics Half Marathon, Telstra Country Wide 10 Kilometre Run, Gold Coast Bulletin 7.5 Kilometre Walk and the Norco Pauls Junior Dashes.
source Athletics Australia - www.athletics.org.au
|
