The 118th Boston Marathon® on Monday, April 21, 2014, and surrounding Marathon-related events including the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo and the B.A.A. 5K, will bring an estimated $175.8 million (USD) in spending impact to the Greater Boston region, the highest-ever Boston Marathon spending impact, according to Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) President and CEO, Patrick Moscaritolo. Held annually on Patriots’ Day, the Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world’s most prestigious road racing events. The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has managed and organized the Boston Marathon since the event’s inception in 1897.
This year, there will be more than 35,660 official participants in the Boston Marathon, including more than 5,330 participants from more than 70 countries outside the United States. More spectators than ever before will line the 26.2-mile course on Patriots’ Day to view the Marathon. In addition, more than 1,800 members of the media from more than 300 outlets will cover the Boston Marathon, providing the Greater Boston region with unparalleled international exposure.
“The spending impact of the 118th Boston Marathon provides a huge economic benefit for our visitor industry and it kick starts our spring tourism season,” said Moscaritolo.
“The 2014 Boston Marathon will be a special event for all of the people of Greater Boston and our sport as a whole,” said B.A.A. Executive Director Tom Grilk. “The B.A.A. welcomes participants and spectators from around the world who will patronize Greater Boston’s shops, restaurants, hotels, and local businesses. This year, we will all come together to stand as one in celebration of the resilience of Greater Boston.”
The Centennial Boston Marathon in 1996, which generated $172 million (USD), previously held the highest spending impact in Boston Marathon history. The 1996 Boston Marathon had a starting field of 38,708, which stood for more than seven years as the largest in the history of the sport.
THE ESTIMATED $175.8 MILLION (USD) IN SPENDING IMPACT WILL BE GENERATED FROM THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:
Total spending by 35,660 participants and their guests: $103.7 million (USD)
Charity fundraising by Marathon participants: $27.5 million (USD)
Total spending by spectators: $20.0 million (USD)
Total sponsor and media-related spending: $14.0 million (USD)
Total spending by the Boston Athletic Association: $10.6 million (USD)
TOTAL $175.8 million (USD)
For the 29th consecutive year, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon will be John Hancock Financial Services. John Hancock provided the first-ever prize purse for the Boston Marathon in 1986 and has provided nearly $16 million (USD) in prize money for the event. This year’s prize purse totals $806,000 (USD), plus bonuses.
The John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo will be located at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center at 900 Boylston Street from Friday, April 18 through Sunday, April 20. This Expo is widely regarded as the running industry’s premier expo for new products and services and will feature more than 200 exhibitors and attract more than 100,000 attendees in 2014. Boston Marathon participants must claim their bib numbers for this year’s race at the Expo.
Also among 2014 Marathon-related events is the B.A.A. 5K on Saturday, April 19, two days prior to the Boston Marathon. This year’s B.A.A. 5K has an event record field size limit of 10,000 entrants. The 3.1-mile course starts and finishes at historic Boston Common and takes participants across the Boston Marathon finish line. More than 600 participants from outside of the United States will participate in the event.
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