FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chevron Houston Marathon Race Weekend
Generates $51.1M for City of Houston
Run for a Reason charity program raised a record $2.1 million for local
nonprofits
HOUSTON (Jul. 28, 2011) - The Chevron Houston Marathon race weekend of
events generated approximately $51.1 million in total economic impact for
the City of Houston this January, more than doubling its last economic
impact report from 2003, according to a commissioned study released today.
"As we approach our 40th anniversary, our organization continues to conduct
an event that is a point of pride for the community," stated Houston
Marathon Committee Executive Director Wade Morehead. "Providing an annual
event that has a significant economic impact for local businesses and
charities is the result of the commitment, dedication and passion exhibited
annually by our participants, volunteers, sponsors and committee members."
The study breaks down the economic impact into three categories: direct
expenditures, indirect and induced expenditures, and other sources based on
spending in a variety of categories including hotel, transportation,
entertainment and retail. The largest single expense category in all cases
was restaurants. Expenditures at the Ironman Sports Medicine Institute at
Memorial Hermann EXPO, a two-day health and fitness exhibition attracting
more than 60,000 attendees, and hotel expenses were also significant.
"The Harris County - Houston Sports Authority recognizes the significance
that a $51.1 million annual event has on the local community and how much
it helps our sales efforts to attract other prestigious, major sporting
events to the region," commented Janis Schmees, HCHSA executive director.
"Due to the success and enormous growth of the Chevron Houston Marathon
over the years, our region has developed a national reputation in the
running community for putting on a first-class event. This was clearly
recognized by USA Track & Field, as well as the United States Olympic
Committee when Houston won the bid to host the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team
Trials - Marathon."
Conducted by Dr. Don Hoyte, Principal of TexasEconomicImpact.com, the
economic impact study is based on a survey of more than 4,700 participants
in the 2011 Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon and El
Paso Corporation 5K.
"This study of the economic impact of race weekend is significant in
several respects," stated Hoyte, who has developed methods to assess the
economic impact of multiple sporting events, including the 2004 Super Bowl,
2004 and 2008 Final Fours, 2006 NBA All-Star Game, 2006 MLB All-Star Game,
and the 2007 Big 12 Football Championship.
"First, it documents the direct expenditures by starters, affiliated and
associated fans as reaching nearly $22.1 million for all three races.
Second, by applying the consistent and industry-standard economic analysis
tool of IMPLAN multipliers, this direct impact is seen as generating
another $20.6 million in economic gains to the city of Houston. Third, the
results of a survey effort based on more than 4,700 participant responses -
representing about 1 in every 4 runners - provides incontrovertible proof
of the importance of this event to Houston and the state of Texas."
Approximately $12.3 million represents indirect and induced expenditures,
impacts on the City of Houston that would not have occurred if the Chevron
Houston Marathon race weekend of events did not take place.
In addition, the number of jobs supported by expenditures on the event is
based on the $34.4 million in direct, indirect and induced expenditures. In
total, expenditures at the event directly supported 359 jobs in the Houston
metro area, 43 jobs through indirect expenditures and 45 jobs through
induced economic effects for a total of 447 jobs.
Other economic gains to the Greater Houston area included media coverage of
these events which generated in excess of $14.5 million based on print and
online articles and media broadcasts. In addition, nearly $2.1 million was
raised for 52 local nonprofits through the Run for a Reason charity
program, which has generated more than $12.4 million in its 17-year
history.
For a variety of purposes, including tax revenue generation estimates, the
Texas State Comptroller maintains an IMPLAN model for the state of Texas as
well as various regions of the state, including the Houston Metropolitan
region. Based on the Texas IMPLAN model maintained by the Comptroller of
Public Accounts, this study presents the overall economic impact of the
Chevron Houston Marathon race weekend of events on the region.
The Houston Marathon Committee last conducted an economic impact survey in
2003 before the event had grown to its current size and popularity.
Following the 2011 race weekend, an electronic survey was distributed to
race participants to help determine key expenditures as a base for an
estimated economic impact of race weekend.
The study does not include spending of general spectators without any
connection to a race participant.
About the Houston Marathon Committee, Inc.
Established in 1972, the Houston Marathon Committee, Inc. (HMC), a Running
USA Founding Member, annually organizes the nation's premier winter
marathon, half-marathon, 5K and kids' fun run. In 2011, more than 30,000
runners participated in four race weekend events organized by 7,500
volunteers, creating Houston's largest single-day sporting event. In
addition to hosting numerous world-renowned road races, including the USA
Men's and Women's Half Marathon Championships since 2005 and 2007
respectively, and the 1992 U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon Trials, HMC will
host the 2012 U.S. Men's and Women's Olympic Team Trials - Marathon on
January 14, 2012.
For more information, visit houstonmarathon.com or call 713.957.3453.
About TexasEconomicImpact.com
TexasEconomicImpact.com provides an accurate, objective and respected voice
on state and local tax, economic and demographic changes for Texas cities,
counties, school districts, special districts and regions because our focus
is Texas, exclusively. Using the latest data and most widely accepted
economic models, TexasEconomicImpact.com estimates tax and economic impacts
of changes in the Texas economy from industry relocations and expansions,
casino gaming, event presentations, tax and demographic changes including
incorporating data and experience into analysis.
Building upon 25 years of Texas tax policy and economic impact assessment,
TexasEconomicImpact.com provides the data, analysis and presentation
support to project tax gains from industry relocations and expansions,
estimate local and statewide gains from hosting sporting and other events,
explore the local and regional effects of tax changes and examine
occupational and training needs to match labor force dynamics.
For more information, visit TexasEconomicImpact.com.
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