5 June 2024– The Australian Embassy is pleased to have supported the Belau Omal Marathon course certification recently. Mr Jarrod Gibson – a World Athletics Road Race Course Measurer and with Oceania Athletics, travelled from Australia to Palau to undertake course certification.
With World Athletics certification, the Belau Omal Marathon is a qualifying race for marathons around the world, including Tokyo, London, Boston and New York, enabling marathon participants to run in Palau to qualify for these races.
Mr Gibson, supported by the Australian Embassy and Palau Athletics, rode the marathon course by bicycle over a number of days using carefully calibrated measuring equipment, followed by a series of calculations to certify the course. The course certificate was awarded to Palau Athletics by World Athletics recently. This is the first time that Palau Athletics has held certification of the course, including having full ownership of the course route.
Palau Athletics General Secretary Ms Peoria Koshiba said “It’s important to Palau to own the certification of the course and we are delighted Palau Athletics was in a position to inform the route. This is the first time Palau has owned the certification and we look forward to the Belau Omal Marathon on 1 September 2024.”
While in Palau, Mr Gibson also met with Palau athletes to share his story. Mr Gibson has been involved in athletics since the age of 15, recognised with a Gold Service Pin for over 30 years of service to athletics in Australia. Mr Gibson has been a technical official since 1997 and adds Palau to his list of international certifications after working in Saipan last year and before travelling to Fiji later this month. He has run 30 marathons himself, including in each State and Territory of Australia, both islands of New Zealand as well as 6 World Marathon Majors.
The Australian Embassy is pleased to have partnered with Palau Athletics to support the Belau Omal Marathon course certification.
For more information, please contact the Australian Embassy, Palau on 488-4628 or koror.embassy@dfat.gov.au