In 2008, the sixth CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Frederick Running Festival generated more than $2 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 summary below). This year, the Maryland event attracted a record 5,200 runners, a 49 percent growth from the previous year. In all, 41 states and 8 countries were represented.
2008 CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Frederick Running Festival Summary
Visitors = 3,612
Hotels = $513,880
Eating = $513,880
Retail = $362,739
Transportation = $423,196
Entertainment = $604,565
TOTAL = $2,418,260
The charitable proceeds generated by the event topped $200,000. Special Olympics of Maryland and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society are some of the area's benefiting charities. Nearly $1 million has been raised for charity since the event's inception.
"In just a short time, this event has become a huge headline and money maker for the city of Frederick," stated Lee Corrigan, president of Corrigan Sports Enterprises. "Our original hotel partners had sold out of rooms almost two months before the race, which required us to add more hotels to meet the demand. We found out on race day, there was not a hotel room in Frederick to be had."
Registration for the 2009 CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Frederick Running Festival opened on November 1 and another record-breaking participation is expected.
"Like with our other event, the Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival, we like to practice smart growth," commented Corrigan. "We know there is demand, considering we sold out the race in 2008, but we don't to become too big of a race where mistakes are made and the runners are unhappy."
The 2009 CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Frederick Running Festival will begin on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at the Frederick Fairgrounds with the marathon, half-marathon and four-person relay being held on Sunday, May 3. For more information, visit: FrederickMarathon.org.
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.
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