What a turnout for Sunday’s inaugural Botanic to Bridge!
Close on 4,000 people arrived at the 8km and 3km start lines to take part in the augural event.
GPC’s CEO Leo Zussino was ecstatic at the turnout.
“It was great to see the Gladstone community embrace this event so wholeheartedly,” Mr Zussino said.
“My congratulations to everyone who took on the challenge of either the 8km or 3km courses.”
Participants came from as far away as the Gold Coast, with many travelling from Rockhampton and Bundaberg to take part.
The marina was pumping as thousands of race goers streamed through the finish line and then wandered round the Healthy Living Expo.
The hit of the morning was the cook-off between local restaurateurs Scott McCarthy and Jason Faint and celebrity chef James Reeson. Unsurprisingly perhaps, the winners of the cook-off were judged to be the local chefs!!
There were plenty of celebrities to keep the crowds entertained with Qld Bulls player and local boy Nathan Reardon, national ironwoman Hayley Bateup and rising ironman Corey Jones  taking part.
Lisa Curry proved a fabulous host and MC’ed along with local media figures Rob Kidd from Zinc Radio and Paul Taylor from WIN TV.
Mr Zussino said it was a tremendous effort of all the staff and volunteers who worked on the day.
“We had close on 70 volunteers contributing their time for this event and on behalf of GPC I would like to thank those volunteers for their time on the day.
“Without their hard work, this event would not have been the success it was.”
Mr Zussino also thanked the public for their patience at the time of the registrations on Friday and Saturday.
“The queue was snaking up Goondoon Street the entire morning of Friday and by that afternoon we had run out of some of the merchandise for the event.
“Everyone was very good natured despite queueing in some cases for over half an hour.”
Mr Zussino added that those who missed out on merchandise will be able to collect their T shirts from the second week in September.