THE Gold Coast Turf Club will lock bikini-clad women in barrier stalls and run them down the straight, to mirror a horse race, as part of a new novelty event.
The Australian-first publicity masterstroke, which some believe will take the city to a tacky low, will become an annual event at the first race meeting of the summer season.
Under the plan up to 150 women, who must wear bikinis and running shoes, will compete through a knockout system for a first prize of $5000.
The club hopes to attract athletes from surf and running clubs as well as fun runners.
The event is the brainchild of eccentric chairman Andrew Eggleston, and has been a success annually.
Turf Club chief executive Grant Sheather acknowledged some may see the event as degrading, but declared it would become an annual race to spice up and promote the summer season of racing.
”There will be some people that raise their eyebrows, that is to be expected,” he said.
”When people say ‘Gold Coast’ you think of beach, you think of girls and you think of bikinis, it’s a marketing ploy to build racing.”
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