Rio Tinto confirmed as Half Marathon naming rights partner for Brisbane Marathon Festival

February 12, 2026

Brisbane, Australia – 12 February 2026 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Rio Tinto has been announced as the new Naming Rights Partner of the Half Marathon distance at the EVA Air Brisbane Marathon Festival, with the race to be known as the Rio Tinto Half Marathon from 2026 to 2028.

A cornerstone distance of the EVA Air Brisbane Marathon Festival, the Rio Tinto Half Marathon attracts thousands of runners each year from across Queensland, Australia and overseas, ranging from first-time participants to experienced and elite distance athletes.

The 2026 event will be held on Sunday 7 June.

The partnership signals Rio Tinto’s long-term commitment to growing participation, wellbeing and community connection through sport.

Central to the partnership is the Rio Tinto Run Club, which is a national community of Rio Tinto employees and family members brought together through a passion for running, coaching, wellbeing and shared experiences.

The naming rights partnership formalises Rio Tinto’s ambition to play a leadership role in creating inclusive, accessible health and wellbeing opportunities for people of all abilities.

Atlas Events, organisers of the EVA Air Brisbane Marathon Festival, welcomed the partnership, citing a shared commitment to participation and wellbeing.

Atlas Events Director Mark Laforest said the Rio Tinto Half Marathon attracts the largest field of any distance at the festival and plays a key role in race weekend.

“The Half Marathon is a crowd favourite. It’s the first distance to sell out and consistently the biggest by participant numbers. Rio Tinto’s support reflects participation and inclusivity and helps us deliver a world-class event that’s become a must-do on Australia’s running calendar.”

Rio Tinto Aluminum Pacific Operations Managing Director Armando Torres: “The Brisbane Half Marathon is one of the most iconic events on the Queensland running calendar and we are proud to support this popular event as the new Naming Rights Partner over the next three years.

“This partnership is about encouraging participation, supporting healthy and active lifestyles and creating meaningful opportunities for our people and the wider community to come together through running.”

Mr Torres said the partnership builds on the strong foundations of the Rio Tinto Run Club and reflects the company’s belief in the power of sport to connect people and communities.

Rio Tinto Run Club members will play a central role in bringing the partnership to life, with the Brisbane Run Club pod set to be a focal point of local participation. The ambition is to deliver record Run Club numbers at the 2026 event and to welcome runners of all abilities into the Rio Tinto running community.

Registrations for the Rio Tinto Half Marathon as part of the EVA Air Brisbane Marathon Festival are now open at brisbanemarathon.com.au/half-marathon.

Image:

Front Left

Armando Torres

Rio Tinto Aluminium Pacific Operations Managing Director

Front Right

Mark Laforest

Director, Atlas Events

ENDS