CIM Provides Financial Boost to Sacramento Region

The California International Marathon delivers a timely boost to the local economy, with the 33rd annual race expected to generate 2,382 hotel room nights and provide an economic impact of $7.72 million.

The race has stood the test of time, its combination of international competition, community impact and inspiration helping the CIM stand out among local sporting events.

A field of 9,000 marathoners, including runners from 34 countries, had registered for the 2015 event and were expected to challenge the 26.2-mile course from near Folsom Dam to the state Capitol. Another 4,000 runners were entered in the Bank of the West CIM Relay Challenge, with 2,000 more participants set for the UC Davis Children’s Hospital maraFUNrun.

A crowd of 50,000 spectators was expected to line the course running through Folsom, Orangevale, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, Carmichael and Sacramento. 

The CIM, which has doubled in size in the last 10 years, is put on by the Sacramento Running Association.

Out-of-town runners were expected to fill those 2,382 hotel room nights and generate a strong economic impact to the Sacramento region at a time of year when local hotel business typically slows.  Officials with the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission have noted that hotel room night peak for the event is Saturday night, but local hotels have seen steady growth on both Friday and Sunday nights over the last five years.

“The California International Marathon is a signature Sacramento event that continues to drive significant economic impact, as well as national and international exposure, for the Sacramento region,” said Steve Hammond, President & CEO of the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission. “Hosting an event with the prominence of CIM is a great source of pride for us and we’re looking forward to welcoming the runners to Sacramento.”

The Sacramento Running Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding new ways to encourage people of all ages and abilities to run. The SRA is committed to developing new, quality running events that appeal to a broad variety of runners.

Other SRA events include the California Family Fitness Super Sunday Run on February 7, the Credit Union SACTOWN Run on April 3 and the Gold Rush 50k on May 14.