Big city marathons profitable for hosts

When you bring a large number of visitors to a city for weekend, they tend to leave their money there.

The Chicago Marathon generated $254 million US its host in 2014, contributing to the city’s goal of bringing 55 million annual visitors in by 2020.

The marathon, which saw 42,279 participants pick up race bibs in 2014, brought in $102 million from tourism-related money—travel, lodging, entertainment, among others—and $151 million is indirect activity, according to the economic impact study commissioned by Bank of America, the race’s title sponsor. The study was done by the Urbana-Champaign’s Regional Economics Applications Laboratory at the University of Illinois.

“The race is a solid example of how high-profile events contribute significantly towards Mayor Emanuel’s goals for Chicago’s visitor industry,” said Desiree Rogers, chair of Choose Chicago’s board of directors, in a press release.

The dollar value is equivalent to 1,816 jobs and $86 million worth of wages.

Marathons in Canada contribute similarly, though not on the same scale. Economic impact studies in recent years have suggested the BMO Vancouver Marathon brings in upwards of $40 million of activity. The Ottawa Race Weekend generated an estimated $32 million.

This year’s Chicago Marathon is scheduled for Oct. 11.