The Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Marathon will be held across two days in 2025 with the Saturday 3 May and Sunday 4 May program lending itself to greater family friendly fun, team action and shorter races accessible to all ages and abilities.

Entries for the event open on Wednesday 9 October with the Saturday program held at the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport where a 5km race will be run on the fast and flat Airport Drive alongside a brand-new event offering participants an opportunity to hit the tarmac to take on the ‘Runway Mile’.

The mile race (1.609km) will include an Elite Mile, Junior Mile and Open Mile categories with a Mile Team Challenge for schools, corporate groups as well as running and fitness clubs.

Events Management Queensland (EMQ) CEO Ben Mannion said a corporate mile relay was also on the race agenda with workplaces from near and far encouraged to enter teams of four to run approximately 400m each.

“The corporate relay race is all about having fun with work colleagues with the goal of raising funds for a nominated worthy cause with the inaugural perpetual trophy and bragging rights up for grabs.

“All ‘mile’ runners throughout the day will be encouraged to make a statement with creativity and costumes taking centre stage and designs aimed at bringing miles of smiles to everyone involved on race day.

Mr Mannion said a finale ‘All in Mile’ will wrap up a day of racing with everyone who’s competed in a mile event during the day invited to have one more unique chance to run the runway at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport.

Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport General Manager Kellie Banditt said they were excited to host an event at the airport which would enable participants a very rare opportunity to run on an airport runway.

“In only its second year this weekend of racing has all the hallmarks of becoming a signature running event in Australia attracting participants from all over the country and overseas with our airport offering direct services from Sydney, Brisbane and regional destinations around Queensland.

“The Saturday races will be lots of fun at the airport with food-trucks and entertainment complementing the fun runs whilst Sunday is the business end of the event with the more serious runners tackling the longer races.

“We are proud to be the naming rights partner of the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Marathon and congratulate the team at EMQ for taking on board community and business feedback and working with us to offer a very unique running experience,” Ms Banditt said.

Sunday’s race agenda will include the signature Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport 42.195km Marathon, the ASICS half marathon and the Visit Toowoomba Region 10km run.

Mr Mannion said they had considered feedback from community following the 2024 event and had worked with local businesses, the community and Toowoomba Stakeholder Group to develop a route that would have less impact on local traffic.

“In 2025 the marathon course will consist of three laps which will reduce the duration of the road closures in South Toowoomba with the first large lap incorporating Long St and the West Creek Pathway exclusively one-way for runners.

“We have included a second lap around Prince Henry Heights offering participants another chance to take in the breathtaking views across the range and minimise the impact on residents.

“By incorporating laps two and three and taking the course through the City Centre and Queens Park we give runners a reprieve from the challenging terrain and it creates greater opportunity for community activation and engagement from spectators and local businesses” Mr Mannion said.

The ASICS half marathon and Visit Toowoomba Region 10km run course will remain the same as the 2024 event.

Toowoomba Region Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald said Council welcomed the expansion of the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Marathon program.

“The two-day event offers so many opportunities to participate with races designed to encourage residents and visitors to enjoy a social outing.

“I’m particularly keen to witness how our business community gets behind the corporate mile relay,” Mayor McDonald said.

“The chance to lace up for any of the events might be the spur for people to start more regular physical activity, which would be a worthwhile goal.”

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO, Patricia O’Callaghan, said it’s great to see the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Marathon grow and add to its program.

“The Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Marathon enjoyed a wonderful debut event this year and is sure to take off to even greater heights in 2025, running over a whole weekend, with revised courses and race options.

This gives competitors even more opportunity to experience this spectacular region.

“This event also brings the perfect opportunity to get out and support the local businesses and enjoy the many experiences that this beautiful part of Queensland has to offer.”

Participants will be encouraged to collect their race kit from the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport on Saturday 3 May with Sunday pick-up pre-race at the Toowoomba Sports Ground.

Events Management Queensland also proudly delivers the annual Gold Coast Marathon presented by ASICS and the biennial Pan Pacific Masters Games which feature on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.

Events Management Queensland acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Toowoomba Region and pays respect to the Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the knowledge, rich traditions and bold ambitions of Australia’s First Peoples.

For event information and to enter the Toowoomba Marathon visit: toowoombamarathon.com.au