FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Boston Marathon Weekend 2012 Will Mean $137.5 Million
for Greater Boston Economy
BOSTON, April 11, 2012 - The 116th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 16,
2012 will bring $137.5 million in spending impact to the Greater Boston
region, according to Greater Boston Convention & Visitor Bureau (GBCVB)
President and CEO, Patrick Moscaritolo.
This year there will be at least 26,700 official runners including 4,330
runners from outside the United States. An estimated 500,000 spectators
line the 26.2-mile course each Patriots' Day to view the Marathon in
person.
"The spending impact of the 116th Boston Marathon is the equivalent to our
region hosting the NCAA Final Four. It is a huge economic benefit for our
visitor industry and it kick starts our Spring tourism season," said
Greater Boston Convention & Visitor Bureau President and CEO, Patrick
Moscaritolo.
"Boston Marathon weekend is the unofficial start of Spring in Boston," said
Tom Grilk, Executive Director of the Boston Athletic Association, which has
organized the race since its inception in 1887. "Every year, hometown
heroes from every state and from countries worldwide come to Boston to test
their fitness at the world's oldest and most prestigious annual marathon
and in the process they patronize our shops, restaurants, hotels and
stimulate our businesses like at no other time of the year. The B.A.A. is
proud to provide the infrastructure and be responsible for this energy,
enthusiasm and spending."
More than 1000 members of the media from 200 outlets across the world will
cover the Boston Marathon, providing Boston with unparalleled
international exposure. No sporting event in Boston draws a larger or more
diverse media corps.
This year Marathon runners are from sixty-seven (67) countries including
the United States.
The estimated $137.5 million in spending impact will be generated from the
following categories:
-Total spending by 26,700 runners and their guests,
including spending at John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo
$92.4 million
-Total spending by spectators
$12 million
-Total spending by the Boston Athletic Association
$7 million
-Charity Fundraising events by marathon runners
$16 million
-Total sponsors & media Marathon-related spending
$10.1 million
TOTAL $137.5 million
The 116th Boston Marathon is second only to the 100th anniversary race in
economic impact and number of runners. In 1996 there were 38,708 runners
and spending impact reached $172 million.
Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit
organization with a mission of managing athletic events and promoting a
healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.'s Boston
Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, and the organization
manages other local events and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and
year-round running programs. Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the
Boston Marathon has been John Hancock Financial. The Boston Marathon is
part of the World Marathon Majors along with the Virgin London Marathon,
BMW Berlin Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and the ING New York
City Marathon.
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