Return to top / Return to main page

Contact: Mark Winitz, (650) 948-0618

Napa Valley Marathon Bolsters Local Economy

NAPA, Calif. - (January 21, 2005) - The 27th Annual Napa Valley Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, March 6, 2005, is known as "the biggest little marathon in the west." Soon, the claim of "little marathon" may sound archaic as each year the popular 26.2-mile road race gets larger. The event will accept 2,300 runners in 2005, its biggest crowd ever. The marathon has sold out for the past several years, and this year should be no exception. Race organizers now report that these figures help fortify the economy of the greater Napa Valley.

Runners can register for the marathon online or download an entry form at www.napa-marathon.com. Alternatively, contact the race at NVM, PO Box 4307, Napa 94558, email: nvm@napanet.net, telephone: (707) 255-2609 or FAX: (707) 257-6515. The $85 early registration fee for the race goes up to $100 on entries received after February 1. There is no race-day registration.

Entry limits for the race are largely determined by the number of available hotel rooms in the world-renowned Napa Valley wine producing and tasting region.

"We keep building more hotels here," explained Co-Race Director Rich Benyo, "and every year the hotels are filled for the marathon."

Although the region is a boon for tourism, the Napa Valley Marathon's March date helps provide an economic filler for local businesses before the tourist-packed summer and fall months arrive. Before now, race organizers could not quantify the local economic impact of the race.

"These are important numbers for any road race, especially a marathon, to have," remarked David Hill, who co-directs the race with Benyo. "Now, our new economic survey shows that the Napa Valley Marathon has a significant positive economic effect on the Napa Valley during race weekend."

Allan Steinfeld, race impresario for the ING New York City Marathon, attended last year's Napa Valley Marathon. He observed the substantial spending traits of the 2,200 entrants, plus their relatives and friends (approximately 4,000 in 2004) at the race on wine tasting and purchases, dining in highly acclaimed restaurants and souvenir and gift buying. That's when Steinfeld recommended to Benyo and Hill that they conduct the survey.

In October 2004, a 32-question e-mail survey was sent to 1,845 runners who participated in the '03 and '04 Napa Valley Marathon races. 472 participants responded. The economic assessment shows that the local economic impact of the Napa Valley Marathon is between $593,000 and $1,465,000 annually in direct spending. (The survey's questions identified ranges of expenditures in various categories rather than specific dollar amounts. See summary below.)

The indirect outcomes of runners' spending - such as additional jobs or employee hours created by the influx of runners, their friends and families into the Napa Valley - were not calculated. Neither was the possible long-term fiscal impact of return visits by runners to the area - or their recommendations to friends and co-workers - after they've had a taste of the region's attractions. The average marathon participant brought two additional people with them for the race. 73.8 percent of race participants (1,900 starters, 1,743 finishers in '04) are first-timers at the NVM according to the study.

In comparison, the 2003 ING New York City Marathon (35,000 finishers) had an economic impact of $140 million - by far the largest bump of any U.S. road race according to Running USA, a professional association for the road race industry based in Santa Barbara, Calif. (This figure, of course, includes expenditures for local NYC taxi transportation!) Other marathon's numbers in terms of economic clout: Honolulu ('03, 22,100 finishers) $86.8 million, LaSalle Bank Chicago ('03, 32,400 finishers) $80 million, HP Houston ('04, 5,800 finishers) $12 million and Rite Aid Cleveland ('04, 6,000 finishers - all events) $6.8 million.

"Running has an incredible but largely unrecognized economic impact both locally and nationally," commented Craig Masback, the CEO of USA Track & Field, in 1999.

Since then, civic awareness, largely fostered by organizations such as Running USA and its member road races and event promoters, have helped to boost the commercial and charitable perception of running as it compares to other sporting events.

In Napa Valley Marathon's case, its self-imposed definition of "little" doesn't translate to "insignificant" in either local economic or philanthropic terms. Since its first running in 1979, the NVM has hosted more than 25,000 runners over its Calistoga-to-Napa course on the scenic Silverado Trail. Each of these runners has indirectly donated to worthy local causes. All proceeds from the Napa Valley Marathon (a non-profit organization) are donated to local charities in the Napa Valley. In addition, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program will field a group of participants at this year's NVM. T&T participants raise funds to cure deadly diseases.

The Napa Valley Marathon has earned a reputation for outstanding runner support, attention to detail and a breathtaking point-to-point course. In its January 2002 issue, Runner's World magazine named the Napa Valley Marathon one of the Top 20 Marathons in the U.S.

The 2005 edition of the NVM has again been selected by the Road Runners Club of America as its National Marathon Championships - a designation it has received since 1998.

Napa Valley Marathon weekend includes a Sports and Fitness Expo, Saturday, March 5 from 9am to 5pm at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa. Also on slate is the marathon's popular Marathon College, an innovative speaker/seminar program that includes a "faculty" composed of respected running authorities and celebrity runners.

Napa Valley Marathon By the Numbers
Annual local (Napa Valley) economic impact via NVM participant and visitor related purchases (2003 and 2004):

Low
Lodging $242,000
Shopping $ 96,000
Food & Beverage $150,000
Wine $105,000
TOTAL $593,000

High
Lodging $490,000
Shopping $293,000
Food & Beverage $430,000
Wine $252,000
TOTAL $1,465,000

The Napa Valley Marathon, a Running USA member, appreciates generous sponsor support from Calistoga Mountain Spring Water, Gatorade, ASICS America Corporation, Silverado Trail Wineries Association, Marathon & Beyond, Road Runners Club of America, USA Track & Field, Marathon Photo, Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa, St. Helena Hospital, CBS 5 and UPN Bay Area, GU, KVYN/99.3 The Vine, KVON 1440, Wines Central, MRC Delivery Solutions, Pacific Union College, Napa Running Company and Queen of the Valley Hospital.

Return to top / Return to main page

Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K Adds Half-Marathon and Walking Divisions

CLEVELAND, Ohio - (January 24, 2005) - The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K, one of the 50 longest running marathon races in the country and a "must do" event among runners, has announced the addition of a half-marathon to the 2005 race day schedule. In addition, Cleveland's 28th annual premier running event - set for May 22 - is opening both the marathon and half-marathon to walkers by creating separate walking divisions.

"Our research has concluded that there is increased popularity among runners for a half-marathon event," said Jack Staph, Executive Director of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K. "With the number of runners rising nationwide and the increased emphasis on daily exercise for everyone, we believe it is important to offer both veteran runners and those new to the sport a variety of events to choose from depending upon their conditioning," added Staph.

In addition to the new half-marathon event, the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K has also recognized the increased popularity of walkers in distance events by creating new walking divisions in both the marathon and half-marathon. According to a recent article on walkers in Runner's World magazine, a survey found that there are nearly 40 million Americans who identify themselves as fitness walkers, up by about 1.7 million in the past 10 years. The survey, done by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, concluded that walkers outnumber joggers or runners by about two million.

"As running has gained in popularity over the years, it is now attracting runners, joggers and walkers - literally anyone who wants to take charge of their personal health and stay in shape," said Staph.

Getting into shape to compete in a marathon or half-marathon, whether you are a runner or a walker, takes time and a personal commitment. A training program offered by In On Time provides an individualized and comprehensive training plan that includes a progressive daily workout schedule, plus information to help prevent injuries, control hydration and other running-related topics. The program is directed by Kara Kelly, a veteran distance runner and coach who has completed 28 marathons and worked with hundreds of runners, almost all of whom completed their first marathon. Kelly can be contacted at kara@run-insight.com or at (440) 263-6142. Sign up ends on January 29.

About the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K
The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K is now in its 28th year of providing a running experience for all individuals who want to participate regardless of their abilities. More than 250,000 runners have participated, generating more than $6.8 million annually to benefit the Cleveland community and raising more than $1 million for various charities.

Sponsors of the 28th Annual Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K include:
Rite Aid, Alpine Springs Natural Spring Water, American Greetings, Miller Brewing, Lamisil Tablets, Carb Boom Energy Gel, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Hershey's Payday Pro, Coca-Cola, Sports Health/Cleveland Clinic, ASICS, Galleria at Erieview, Powerade, Panera Bread, WKYC-TV3, WAKS Kiss 96.5 FM, WGAR 99.5 FM, WMJI Magic 105.7 FM, WMMS 100.7 FM, WMVX Mix 106.5 FM and WTAM 1100 AM

Visit the race website at: www.clevelandmarathon.com

Contacts: Tom Koch, Highland Public Relations, tk@HighlandPR.com, (330) 996-4140 or cell (330) 607-5037; Jack Staph, Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K, jackstaph@sprintmail.com, (216) 378-0140

Return to top / Return to main page

The Dannon Company, Premier Event Management Announce Its 2005 Race Schedule

The Dannon Company, along with Premier Event Management, has announced the locations and dates for its 2005 Dannon Race to End Hunger, Fitness Series from its New York headquarters. Like the 2004 series, this year's series will take place from seven locations across the United States, but major changes for the 2005 series have been put into place by Premier Event Management.

With the sharp decline in elite and age group participation in recent years within the sport of Duathlon, Premier Event Management has won the approval from the Dannon Company to move the bulk of its events in the DANNON Series to running events. Within the seven race series, six events will host 10K or 8K running events, while one event will offer its participants a half Ironman triathlon.

"After 11 years of great events throughout the country which included 5 National Duathlon Championships, 2 ITU World Duathlon Championships and 4 ITU Duathlon World Cup events, we have decided to move back to the sport which offers us the opportunity to have mass appeal and participation - running!" said Bill Burke, President of Premier Event Management. "I am very excited about the long term future of this move and what this means for Premier Event Management. We have a tremendous amount of experience in road race production which started in 1980 with the Crescent City Classic 10K in New Orleans and lasted until my departure from the event in 1993."

"It's truly unfortunate after 11 years to see participation of both the elite and age group competitors drop to a level that we can no longer support duathlon in the United States through this series. We have enjoyed a great run with duathlon, but we are very excited about our major return to 10K Road Race production within the United States and our continued relationship with the sport of triathlon," Burke added.

HOST LOCATIONS AND EVENTS:
The Dannon Alpharetta 8K - $5000 prize purse
May 15, 2005 - Alpharetta, GA

The Dannon/Daily Herald Wasatch Front 10K - $20,000 prize purse
June 18, 2005 - Provo, UT
Check out www.runthefront.com

The Lake Stevens Half Triathlon
July 24, 2005 - Lake Stevens, WA
Half Ironman Distance Triathlon
1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 run
Ironman North America Slots Available

The Dannon Midwest 10K Championship - $20,000 prize purse
September 11, 2005 - Mason, OH

The Dannon Naperville 8K - $10,000 prize purse
September 18, 2005 - Naperville, IL

The Dannon Tucson 10K Championship - $5000 prize purse
October 29, 2005 - Tucson, AZ

The Dannon Los Angeles 10K Championships - $5000 prize purse
November 6, 2005 - Los Angeles, CA

Once again for 2005, the DANNON Fitness Series will be supporting Americas Second Harvest Food Banks. In 2003, the DANNON Series through entry and retail corporate donations raised over $100,000 for Americas Second Harvest Food Banks in host cities. That number increased in 2004 to over $115,000 for our charity partner.

The Retail Presenting Partners in each market for 2005 include: Fry's in Phoenix; QFC in Lake Stevens, WA; Kroger's in Alpharetta, GA and Mason, OH; Smith's in Provo, UT; Jewel in Naperville; IL Kroger's in Cincinnati, OH and Ralph's in Los Angeles, CA.

For further information on how to register for any of the 2005 DANNON Fitness events or for information on our new road races, please go to www.pem-usa.com, or contact Bill Burke at Premier Event Management toll free (866) 454-6561.

Return to top / Return to main page

Contact: Pat Bigold, (808) 927-1156; patbigold@aol.com

2004 Honolulu Marathon TV Broadcast Reached 2.4 Million Households in Japan

A 55-minute taped broadcast of the 2004 Honolulu Marathon by the Tokyo Broadcasting System on Monday, January 10 reached 2,412,000 households.

This represents a 162,000-household increase over the 2,250,000 households that watched the broadcast of the 2003 marathon in January 2004.

The annual broadcast provides free exposure for the state and shows many scenic locations along the 26.2-mile Honolulu Marathon route. The route begins next to Ward Center, goes through downtown, Waikiki, Diamond Head, Kahala and Hawaii Kai before ending at Kapiolani Park. The Honolulu Marathon receives no subsidy from the state.

The marathon had 15,723 entrants from Japan, compared with 15,149 in 2003, and the Honolulu Marathon Race Day Walk (6.2 miles) had 4,688 entrants from Japan, compared with 4,176 in 2003. That's a 3.6% increase in Japanese participation in the marathon and a 15% increase in Japanese participation in the walk.

For 2004, the marathon overall had 25,671 total entries (22,407 finishers - the country's third largest behind New York City and Chicago) while the Honolulu Marathon Race Day Walk had 5,545 total entries.

The highest viewership of the TBS broadcast was in the Kanto area of Japan which includes the Tokyo metropolis and six other prefectures. TBS reported 1,173,000 Kanto households watched Monday, compared with 1,028,000 last year.

For more information on the Honolulu Marathon, visit its website at: www.honolulumarathon.org

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org

www.runningusa.org