FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Koch
Highland Public Relations
(330) 996-4140
(330) 607-5037 (cell)
Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon's Economic Impact
to be Presented at Running USA Conference
CLEVELAND - (January 17, 2005) - The recently completed economic impact
study of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K on the Cleveland community
will be part of a panel discussion at the 2005 Running USA Annual
Conference in San Diego on February 5. Jack Staph, President of Cleveland
Marathon Corp. and Executive Director of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon &
10K will be joined on the discussion panel by race officials from the ING
New York City Marathon.
Running USA is the national professional organization for the road running
industry and is devoted to improving the status and experience of the
sport.
The economic impact study, conducted by Pittsburgh-based Forward Analytics,
concluded that last year's Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K generated more
than $6.8 million for the greater Cleveland economy. It found that the
running community is very supportive of the race and runners view it as a
"must do" event. Now in its 28th year and one of the 50 longest running
marathons in the country, the study also concluded the Rite Aid Cleveland
Marathon & 10K has put more than ΒΌ million runners on the streets of
Cleveland and given more than $1 million to charity. The panel discussion
at the Running USA annual conference follows a keynote address on the
impact of running events on a locality, presented by Florida State
University professor Michael Mondello.
During the panel discussion, Staph will present conclusions from the
economic impact study showing direct spending by runners and their families
and friends during the 2004 race weekend totaled more than $2 million.
Spending went for food at restaurants, entertainment, retail purchases,
ground transportation, gasoline, lodging and purchases at the health and
fitness expo. Restaurants led the spending which totaled more than
$900,000. In addition to the direct spending of runners and their families
and friends, there was an additional $3.5 million ripple effect generated
throughout the community.
The 2005 Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K is scheduled for Sunday, May 22.
This year's Health and Fitness Expo will be held on Friday and Saturday,
May 20 and 21, at the Cleveland Convention Center, 500 Lakeside Avenue in
downtown Cleveland. Additionally, Rite Aid will be holding its national
Health and Beauty Expo, which will coincide with the marathon's expo.
Runners can expect some 200 health and beauty related booths with plenty of
free samples for those who attend the event.
Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K Mission Statement:
* To provide a running experience for all individuals who want to
participate regardless of their abilities.
* To produce an event that highlights the Cleveland community and provides
a positive economic impact for the community.
* To give charities an opportunity to benefit financially from the Rite Aid
Cleveland Marathon & 10K.
To find out more about the race, visit its website at:
www.clevelandmarathon.com
###
|
