Supporting the Gold Coast Marathon to reach Indigenous Youth

First Nations youth from regional and remote Queensland are being offered a discounted registration fee to participate in the virtual 2km and 4km Junior Dash events. For $10, participants can be part of this iconic event and do it in their own community.

To register, visit the official website and follow the virtual run entry guide using the discount code HWQ21JD.

Subsidised entries are proudly supported by Health and Wellbeing Queensland and offer a saving of $20 off the full registration fee.

As the official health and wellbeing partner of the Village Roadshow Theme Parks Gold Coast Marathon, we have secured the naming rights sponsorship of the Gold Coast Marathon Junior Dash races, which this year will be run on location and virtually in a bid to reach even more Queenslanders.

The Gold Coast Marathon Junior Dash races are the largest kids races in Australia, with the 2019 editions attracting 1,575 entrants and the entire marathon weekend hosting 26,287 positive and active role models.

To reach Indigenous youth in remote communities, race organisers this year are running a virtual event, which will enable entrants to run anywhere—and our sponsorship will support up to 1,250 children, aged 5-14 years to participate at a subsidised rate.

Health and Wellbeing Queensland Principal Lead – First Nations Communities Dr Simone Nalatu said this is a great example of thinking laterally to reach kids in remote communities.

The Chief Health Officers report 2020, showed us that children living in remote areas are 50 per cent more likely to meet the physical activity recommendations than children in major cities, so these virtual events are a prime way to reach and engage youth in their communities.”

“So often events like this are location-based, excluding remote communities, so we are really excited about the possibilities that hosting the Gold Coast Marathon Junior Dash races virtually presents.”

“Promoting participation in events such as this is one of the ways we are working to address the health gap that exists between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. The emotional and physical benefits of moving more and eating well cannot be underestimated in creating the conditions that prevent people getting ill in the first place.” Simone said.

Health and Wellbeing Queensland is working with Ms Haylene Grogan, Chief Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Officer and Deputy Director-General, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Division at Queensland Health to encourage the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the virtual events, which can be run for up to two weeks after the race weekend.

As health and wellbeing partner of the Gold Coast Marathon our goal is to embed and promote messages around other healthy lifestyle choices on nutrition and physical activity to all participants—and this year the race’s reach just got even better.

Gold Coast Marathon Race Information

The Gold Coast Marathon runs 3 – 4 July, with the Junior Dash races being held on Saturday 3 July 2021.

There’s a 2km Junior Dash and 4km Junior Dash.

Learn more about taking part virtually.

Register or find out more about the Gold Coast Marathon.