69th Brisbane to Gladstone sets sail

Thousands of spectators will line the Moreton Bay foreshore on Good Friday for the 69th annual Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race.

Up to 60,000 people are expected to attend the two festivals that celebrate the race before the starting gun is sounded.

This year, 40 yachts will compete for line honours and try to beat the course record of 20 hours, 24 minutes and 50 seconds set in 2004.

The vessels will travel 308 nautical miles north up the coast of Queensland, with the winner to be awarded the Courier Mail Cup.

The race starts at 11am at Shorncliffe, in Brisbane's northern suburbs.