Wednesday 23 December

Jason O'Brien confirms run in 2012 Solar Eclipse Marathon

Queensland State Member for Cook, Mr Jason O'Brien confirmed by email to our office yesterday that he intends to run in the Total Solar Eclipse Marathon being held in and around Port Douglas on 14th November 2012.

Mr O'Brien says "While I would hate to make a promise I cannot deliver, it is my intention to run the full marathon on that day.  I am starting my preparation.  I have never run a marathon before, but I pride myself on being one of the fitter members of this parliament".

He went a little further when he threw the 'gauntlet' down to his fellow Members of Parliament by saying, "I put it before this parliament that it is my intention to run the full marathon on that day.  I invite all other members to be in Port Douglas on that important day and join with me in running the first marathon at Port Douglas, which will be an ongoing event".

This first ever full marathon festival is being organised in Port Douglas to coincide with the total solar eclipse occurring at 6.38am in the morning of November 14th. The runners will start their 42.195kms marathon as the first rays of the sun re-emerge from behind the moon, thus creating the first ever intergalactic starting gun.

Jason will be part of a competitive field that is filling up with superstars and celebrities already as Australian Marathon Legend and Event Ambassador, Steve Monaghetti, has also stated that he will be running in this Marathon and will be recruiting many of his ex national team mates and fellow athletes to experience this first ever Port Douglas marathon event.

The event is being organised by Travelling Fit, Australia's only specialist travel agency dedicated to the needs of the running community together with their international partners Albatros Travel from Denmark in association with their destination managers, Port Douglas Event Management.

The travel packages and entry details will be released in May 2010.

 Wednesday 11 November

Solar Eclipse support from local MP

After the Cairns Post wrote the story 'Eclipse Marathon a Health Hazard' in their weekend edition in their usual inimitable style with standard negative attitude to the Port Douglas Region, our State MP in Jason O'Brien was so outraged he sent in this letter to their Editor.

Letters to the Editor
Cairns Post
Via Email.


November 9 2009.


I WAS very surprised that the Cairns Post chose to run the silly item “Eclipse Marathon a Health Hazard” on Saturday.

The statement that the marathon is a health hazard is nonsense and calls into question the competence of the organisers and the viability of a signature event that has virtually universal support in the Port Douglas community.

The organisers, Port Douglas Event Management, Travelling Fit Australia and Albatross Travel Denmark, are respected, experienced, professional and competent.

If the Cairns Post had bothered to check, the marathon will start in the cool of the morning – 6.30am, to be precise.

There will be extra water stations along the route. There will be ample medical support including along the route.

Rather than knock this important event at a time when tourism in our region is suffering, the Cairns Post might like to support it and the community’s efforts to keep the local economy ticking over, to protect small business and to protect jobs.

Yours sincerely,


Jason O’Brien
Member for Cook.

Newsport Editor's Comment : Good on you Jason, thanks for supporting Port Douglas on what will obviously be a fantastic event and 'Bahoo sucks' to the Cairns Post !

  Tuesday 10 November

Steve Monaghetti Launches 2012 Solar Eclipse Marathon

 Arriving directly from the airport a streamlined Steve Monaghetti dealt swiftly but professionally with awaiting media before speaking to an invited audience of Local Stakeholders, State & Local Politicians, Representatives of the Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bodies.

Also speaking at the mock up Gala 2012 Athlete Celebration Dinner hosted by Port Douglas Event Management was event organiser Michael Walton from Travelling Fit Australia and International Adventure Marathon Travel Agent Albatros Travel from Denmark.

Both Division 10 Councillor Julia Leu and Major Val Shier were absolutely delighted to have such a prestigious event held within their respective regions. “This event will bring about a great injection into the local community” Ms Shier said “with annual events already being planned for 2013 and beyond”.

Local Port Douglas & Daintree Tourism Executive Office Doug Ryan also in attendance was extremely delighted with the Marathon to be run here in Port Douglas.  “Port Douglas is a an amazing place”, said Mr Ryan, “this event is perfectly suited to our lifestyle and landscape”.

“The evening was a tremendous success on all accounts” reported Roy Weavers, Media Officer for Port Douglas Event Management, “Steve Monaghetti is a wonderful Ambassador for the entire region with his biased love for the region already in place from a previous visit”.

Mr Monaghetti left the evening for his accommodation for a planned morning run along Four Mile Beach with a possie of local runners the next morning. Mr Monaghetti said “the idea of running an event involving such diverse landscapes from beach to rainforest would make a world famous Marathon route much in demand by the growing Adventure Marathon Market”.

Packages for the event will commence in May 2010 and will be sold throughout the world via the amazingly large runner databases Travelling Fit and Albatros Travel already have in existence. A first in best dressed for the 2,000 competitors is sure to attract a flurry of attention over the package launch period next year. 

 Wednesday 04 November

International Marathon comes to Port Douglas

The first ever full and Half Marathon running festival is being organised in Port Douglas to coincide with the Total Solar Eclipse in November 2012.

This full adventure 42.195 km Marathon will start on the morning of November 14th as the first rays of the sun re-emerge from behind the moon thus creating the first ever intergalactic starting gun !

The event will be organised by Travelling Fit, Australia’s only specialist travel agency dedicated to the needs of the running community.

With such international and domestic support the organisers are confident at capping running competitors at 2,000.  This will bring approximately 2,700 visitors including support crews and families to the Port Douglas region, making it significantly the largest single international event the region has ever seen.

To launch this unique event, Travelling Fit, together with their international travel partners, Albatross Travel from Denmark, and in association with their on site agents, Port Douglas Event Management, are hosting an informal Presentation evening at Rex Smeal Park in Port Douglas to an invited audience of VIPs including Cairns Regional Council Mayor, Val Schier and Division 10 councillor Julia Leu, Queensland State Member for Cook, Jason O'Brien, Tourism Port Douglas Daintree EO Doug Ryan, Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce representatives and the official event Ambassador, Australian marathon legend, Steve Monaghetti.

A feature of this unique running festival will be the inclusion of local, national and international runners all travelling to the area as part of a series of fully hosted “tour and accommodation” packages.

Michael Walton, the business development manager at Travelling Fit, said “this event will provide Australian and International runners with a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience world-wide and will have a significant impact on the tourism industry in Port Douglas and the wider community”.

He adds “having the support of the local tourism and business communities is essential for the success of any venture and we are fortunate to have Port Douglas as the focal point for this unique event”.

The Solar Eclipse Marathon will cater to participants of all levels of ability and will have accommodation levels to suit every budget and requirement, from single runners to large families looking for an extended holiday.

Founded in 2000 by Mari-Mar Walton, Travelling Fit takes people from all walks of life and gives them the opportunity to run in some of the world’s largest Marathons, including the ING New York City Marathon and the Virgin London Marathon.

For more information about the Solar Eclipse Marathon contact Michael Walton at Travelling Fit on 0404 828 040 or alternatively email michael.walton@travellingfit.com

All media enquiries to Roy Weavers, Media Officer, Port Douglas Event Management, PO Box 127, Port Douglas, QLD 4877  email: roy@pdem.com.au  Ph: 07 4099 4540

4 November - Port Douglas Event Management

International Marathon comes to Port Douglas

The first ever full and Half Marathon running festival is being organised in Port Douglas to coincide with the Total Solar Eclipse in November 2012.

This full adventure 42.195 km Marathon will start on the morning of November 14th as the first rays of the sun re-emerge from behind the moon thus creating the first ever intergalactic starting gun !

The event will be organised by Travelling Fit, Australia’s only specialist travel agency dedicated to the needs of the running community.

With such international and domestic support the organisers are confident at capping running competitors at 2,000.  This will bring approximately 2,700 visitors including support crews and families to the Port Douglas region, making it significantly the largest single international event the region has ever seen.

To launch this unique event, Travelling Fit, together with their international travel partners, Albatross Travel from Denmark, and in association with their on site agents, Port Douglas Event Management, are hosting an informal Presentation evening at Rex Smeal Park in Port Douglas to an invited audience of VIPs including Cairns Regional Council Mayor, Val Schier and Division 10 councillor Julia Leu, Queensland State Member for Cook, Jason O'Brien, Tourism Port Douglas Daintree EO Doug Ryan, Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce representatives and the official event Ambassador, Australian marathon legend, Steve Monaghetti.

A feature of this unique running festival will be the inclusion of local, national and international runners all travelling to the area as part of a series of fully hosted “tour and accommodation” packages.

Michael Walton, the business development manager at Travelling Fit, said “this event will provide Australian and International runners with a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience world-wide and will have a significant impact on the tourism industry in Port Douglas and the wider community”.

He adds “having the support of the local tourism and business communities is essential for the success of any venture and we are fortunate to have Port Douglas as the focal point for this unique event”.

The Solar Eclipse Marathon will cater to participants of all levels of ability and will have accommodation levels to suit every budget and requirement, from single runners to large families looking for an extended holiday.

Founded in 2000 by Mari-Mar Walton, Travelling Fit takes people from all walks of life and gives them the opportunity to run in some of the world’s largest Marathons, including the ING New York City Marathon and the Virgin London Marathon.

For more information about the Solar Eclipse Marathon contact Michael Walton at Travelling Fit on 0404 828 040 or alternatively email michael.walton@travellingfit.com

All media enquiries to Roy Weavers, Media Officer, Port Douglas Event Management, PO Box 127, Port Douglas, QLD 4877  email: roy@pdem.com.au  Ph: 07 4099 4540 

5 November 2009 - Tourism Port Douglas Daintree

PORT DOUGLAS TO RUN SOLAR ECLIPSE MARATHON

The world’s first Solar Eclipse Marathon will be held in Port Douglas,
Queensland, on 14th November 2012. Event ambassador and Australian marathon legend, Steve Monaghetti, is flying in this weekend to launch the
running festival, which will include a 42.195km marathon and a half marathon. He believes the local environment and the significance of the eclipse will present a highly desirable combination to runners everywhere.
“The concept of a marathon and half marathon in the pristine environment of Port Douglas and The Daintree is terrific. An endurance run provides a great personal challenge but to share the adventure with like-minded people on a significant day in a special place will be astronomical! I love to run and I love the beauty of the Australian rainforests so this event is a winning combination for me,” said Steve Monaghetti.

The event is being presented by Traveling Fit, Australia’s only specialist travel agency catering to the running community. Spokesperson Michael Walton said the event will provide Australian and international runners
with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “Linking the eclipse and the marathon festival is all about the experience the competitors receive here. For
example, we are timing the race start just as the first rays of sun re-emerge from behind the moon, creating the first ever intergalactic starting gun!” he said.

The event is expected to attract around 3,000 visitors including support crews and families into Port Douglas, and organisers are confident at capping the running competitors at 2,000. Event organisers Traveling Fit and their international travel partners, Albatross Travel, together with their
destination management company Port Douglas Event Management, will present details of the running festival to the tourism industry at the launch this Friday night in Port Douglas. “This has the potential to be the largest single international event ever staged in in the Port Douglas and
Daintree region,” said Michael Walton. “Having the support of the local tourism and business communities is essential for the success of any venture and we are fortunate to have Port Douglas and the Daintree as the
focal point for this unique event”.

Tourism Port Douglas + Daintree executive officer Doug Ryan said the event would have a significant impact on the region’s tourism industry, as well as the wider community. “The Solar Eclipse Marathon will cater to participants of all levels of ability and will have accommodation components to suit every budget and requirement, from single runners to large families looking for an extended holiday. The organisers are offering fully hosted tour and holiday packages to enhance the marathon, and it promises to be the largest event ever staged in the region,” he said.