International run travel experts Marathon Tours & Travel acquires Kangaroo Island Marathon

January 31, 2024

International running travel experts Marathon Tours & Travel has acquired the Kangaroo Island Marathon. The acquisition coincides with the event celebrating its 10-year anniversary on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

January 31, 2024/ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Kangaroo Island lies 14km off the mainland of South Australia, a short 90-minute drive from the city of Adelaide. Kangaroo Island was recently named one of the top ten travel destinations in the world by Lonely Planet and the New York Times. One third of the island is reserved as national parks; a bio-diverse hotspot and ‘must see’ tourist destination that offers rare wildlife, organic produce, and idyllic beaches.

The marathon and half-marathon course route carves its way through the heart of Flinders Chase National Park located in the remote south-western corner of Kangaroo Island. Runners will be inspired by post-bushfire regenerating flora and fauna, undulating roads and trails, an exposed coastal section with views to the powerful Southern Ocean, and a boardwalk leading to the iconic Remarkable Rocks.

Proudly positioned as the world’s largest specialist running travel brand, Marathon Tours & Travel is the official travel agency for the most renowned international running events. The team own a series of popular international adventure races, including the Patagonia Running Festival Marathon, Madagascar Marathon, Antarctica Marathon® and the new Arctic Marathon, with specially curated travel packages available, developed by their industry-leading expert team.

Kangaroo Island Marathon is the perfect addition to the new Seven Continents Club® (SCC) Adventure Marathon series, and the team is excited to work with Founder and Race Director Nathan Godfrey, to continue building upon his 10-year event legacy. Runners can also choose to participate in both the Kangaroo Island Marathon and Sydney Marathon – the ‘Aussie Challenge’ with the events being one week apart. This is a fantastic opportunity – especially for those traveling from afar – to check off two marathons, or a combination of half and full distance events. Marathon Tours & Travel is offering a special package to accommodate those wishing to accept the ‘Aussie Challenge’. More information can be found here.

Founder and Race Director, Nathan Godfrey, was reflective of the many highs and lows over the past decade, as he says: “96% of Flinders Chase National Park was destroyed during the summer bushfires in 2020, however we returned in late 2021 with a record attendance and were subsequently awarded the bronze medal at the South Australian Tourism Awards – we are very grateful to the State Government who have continued to support our vision to position Kangaroo Island as one of the leading adventure running destinations in the world.”

“I’m comfortable this is the right time to hand over the baton, Marathon Tours & Travel has a proven track record delivering world class experiences to a global community of runners. I’m confident the event will continue to grow, and most importantly, continue to make a significant contribution to the visitor economy in South Australia,” said Godfrey.

Jeff Adams, President of Marathon Tours & Travel says: “We are delighted to join forces with Nathan and his team, and are really excited to be able to offer such a special event to our clients. Kangaroo Island Marathon promises a truly unique event experience, set on one of the world’s most beautiful marathon courses, of varying terrain, ideal for adventure runners that are seeking their next challenge. Nathan and his team have done a superb job with the event over the past decade, and we’re very much looking forward to helping them to build upon these brilliant foundations.”

Transfer of ownership will occur after the event has taken place in September 2024; however, Marathon Tours & Travel are currently selling exclusive packages to this years’ anniversary event.

More information can be found here

ENDS

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Images: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1M-VCmYaQgSwgfS3-e3ZenIJYWu4zik4g?usp=sharing

For further comments or information please contact:

Jeff Adams

Marathon Tours & Travel

Destination Sport Group

M: +01 847-334-6800

E: jeff.adams@marathontours.com

Nathan Godfrey

Run Kangaroo Island

M: +61 499 811 119

E: hello@runkangarooisland.com

About Marathon Tours & Travel

Founded by runner and travel visionary Thom Gilligan in 1979, Marathon Tours & Travel (MTT) is a longstanding recognized leader and innovator in the destination travel industry for runners and their supporters. With offices in Boston (USA), Manchester (UK) and Adelaide (Australia), the team has industry-leading global prominence.

Marathon Tours & Travel are an approved International Tour Operator to many marathons and other running events, including the Abbott World Marathon Majors, which consists of the Boston Marathon, TCS London Marathon, TCS New York City Marathon, BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, the Tokyo Marathon, and candidate races – the Sydney Marathon and Cape Town Marathon.

Their global team of Trip Designers, Trip Leaders and Trip Specialists makes each trip they offer unique and special. They have sought out the best in the industry, and their combined knowledge and experience makes them a global leader in the endurance sports travel industry.

The team also own a number of global events, including Patagonia Running Festival Marathon, Madagascar Marathon, Antarctica Marathon® and Arctic Marathon, and the team are excited about further expansion plans across 2024 and beyond.