Posted: November 12, 2007

Athletics (RWire): 2007 Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival Generates $18 Million for City and State

Registration opens for 2008 event on December 13 BALTIMORE, Md. - (November 9, 2007) - The seventh Under Armour Baltimore Marathon and Running Festival generated more than $18 million to the city and state's economy according to a recent study by RESI, an economic research and consulting firm located at Towson University (see chart below). This year, the event attracted a record 14,542 runners, as participant numbers have grown 15-20% for the last five years. Each year, the event attracts more out of state participants with 40% of this year's runners coming from out-of-state, compared to 25% in the first year. In all, 48 states and 23 countries were represented. 2007 Under Armour Baltimore Marathon by the Numbers Visitors = 40,600 Hotels = $3,828,453 Eating = $3,828,453 Retail = $2,702,438 Transportation = $3,152,844 Entertainment = $4,504,063 TOTAL = $18,016,250 "We are very proud of what this event brings to the community both from an economic impact perspective and charitable angle, it is truly a great event for the city," stated Lee Corrigan, the event's Executive Director and president of Corrigan Sports Enterprises. "Seven years of hard work have put this event on the national and international runners map, so to speak. People all over the country know about the Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival and are anxious to come to Baltimore and participate in our great event." The charitable proceeds generated by the event topped $600,000. Special Olympics Maryland, The United Way of Central Maryland, Maryland Reads, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, The Ronald McDonald House, Sadie's Gift, Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, Baltimore Fire Foundation and The Center for Adoption and Education are some of the area's benefiting charities. More than $3.6 million has been raised for charity since the event's inception. "Last year, the CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield Half Marathon, the Legg Mason Team Relay as well as the United Way 5K all sold out. The fact that we limit our fields every year has certainly gotten around. We subscribe to a smart growth theory and deliver a high quality product every year. Sometimes when you grow too fast details go by the wayside and mistakes are made. We want to keep our outstanding reputation intact," Corrigan continued. The 2008 Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival will take place on Saturday, October 11, 2008 at M&T Bank Stadium. Online registration will open on December 13, but mailed and faxed applications are currently being accepted. For more information, visit: TheBaltimoreMarathon.com or call Gene Brtalik at (410) 605-9381. Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director (805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016 Ryan@RunningUSA.org www.RunningUSA.org. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest