Sport
27 April, 2025
Riders pumping pedals
THE fourth edition of Douglas Shire’s premier cycling and running event – Port Douglas Gran Fondo Festival – is solidifying as sports tourism becomes an integral part of the multibillion-dollar leisure sector.
It comes with less than 150 days to go until the festival on September 12-14 and the news the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas has signed on as a new gold partner, specifically for the Run Port Douglas event.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland partnerships and events general manager Tara Bennett said it was exciting to see the Run Port Douglas event further extend the Port Douglas Gran Fondo Festival.
“Expedia’s latest research shows that sports tourism now represents 10 per cent of global tourism spending with 44 per cent of sports fans travelling internationally for events,” she said.
“The Port Douglas Gran Fondo Festival is an integral part of Tropical North Queensland’s sporting calendar that is helping interstate and international sport tourism to grow for the destination.”
Local runner Michelle Scott said she was “so excited to be racing in Port Douglas again”.
“It’s been eight years since there was a dedicated running event that drew participants from far and wide,” she said.
“It will be great, not just for running fanatics, but for our town as well.”
Festival director Bade Stapleton said the Run Port Douglas event was “an awesome new addition to the event program this year and the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas are an important partner in helping bring this event to life”.
“The Run Port Douglas 5km and 2km events will take runners through the Sheraton, passing the spectacular resort pools as they head towards Four Mile Beach and the run down to the finish. This event simply couldn’t happen without them,” he said.
Run Port Douglas is a new addition to the Gran Fondo festival in 2025 and includes a 21.1km half marathon and 10km, 5km and 2km run events on Saturday, September 13.
Resort general manager Steve Molnar said “we are pleased to be a gold partner for this year’s Port Douglas Gran Fondo Festival”.
“This event is a fantastic visitor and community opportunity to showcase the beauty and vibrancy of our region,” he said.
“The new Run Port Douglas event will offer participants a unique gathering experience, running through our stunning resort and along the iconic Four Mile Beach.
“We look forward to welcoming runners and spectators to the resort and supporting this exciting addition to the festival,” he said.
Douglas Shire Council deputy mayor Cr Roy Zammataro said the event “continues to go from strength to strength, and the addition of the new Run Port Douglas event will bring even more energy and visitors to our beautiful region”.
“It’s a great opportunity to showcase the natural beauty of the Douglas Shire while supporting local businesses and encouraging active, healthy lifestyles,” he said.
Entries for all events are now open. Early bird discount ends on April 30.
Visit https://bit.ly/4jdFFUn to
enter the ride events and
https://bit.ly/4jvXUE5 to enter the running events.
