FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kiva Couchon
Arizona Office of Tourism
(602) 364-3724
P.F. Chang's Rock n' Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon Generates $44
Million for Arizona's Economy
Increase of $3 Million Since the Inaugural Race in 2004
PHOENIX, Ariz., (June 19, 2007) -- The Fourth Annual P.F. Chang's Rock n'
Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon held this past January, continues to
prove its economic worth to Arizona. According to data just released from
the Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT), the 2007 event generated an estimated
$44 million to the state's economy.
AOT Director Margie A. Emmermann officially announced the results of the
marathon's economic impact study along with event organizer Elite Racing
Inc., and mayors from the race's host cities of Phoenix, Scottsdale and
Tempe. AOT and Elite Racing jointly funded the study, which was carried out
by the Arizona Hospitality Research & Resource Center at Northern Arizona
University in Flagstaff.
More than 34,000 runners registered for the 2007 race, enabling it to not
only generate $44 million to the state's economy, but also contribute more
than $2 million in tax revenues. This level of spending by the participants
of the event helped produce an employment impact of 1,230 jobs within
Maricopa County. This study was last conducted after the inaugural race in
2004, when the economic impact was estimated at $41 million, including $1.1
million in tax revenues.
"Once again, we are extremely proud to be sponsors of the tremendously
valuable event," said Emmermann. "The P.F. Chang's Rock n' Roll Arizona
Marathon & 1/2 Marathon has exceeded our expectations over the four-year
duration of the event and communities throughout the Grand Canyon State
reap the benefits of the incredible increase in economic impact generated
by the race."
More than half of the runners were from out-of-state, which means that a
significant number of race participants were spending money on hotels,
food, shopping and other items in Tempe, Phoenix and Scottsdale, the race
co-hosts. The top five states of origin for out-of-state runners were:
California, Illinois, Colorado, Wisconsin, and Washington. More than 21
percent of out-of-state respondents reported traveling outside the Phoenix
Metro area during their stay, a significant increase from the 17 percent
that traveled throughout the state in 2004. Sedona was the most frequently
visited community with 45.5 percent of participants traveling to the
destination, followed by Tucson at 28.4 percent. Native American Tribal
lands accounted for 21.8 percent of additional travel, while Flagstaff and
Williams captured 18.5 percent of travel outside Phoenix.
"Arizona is an outstanding winter running destination and the Valley of the
Sun offers many attractions for race participants who visit with their
families and friends," said Tim Murphy, CEO of Elite Racing. "We are
looking forward to the race's continued growth as we prepare to celebrate
the fifth running of the P.F. Chang's Rock ‘n' Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2
Marathon in 2008."
The next race will be held on January 13, 2008, where more than 30,000
participants will be treated to more than 50 bands playing live music at
every mile along the courses, 40 high school cheerleading squads providing
extra motivation along the route, and a finish line festival at Arizona
State University. An evening concert at Tempe Town Lake featuring a
headlining act completes the day. Supported by the cities of Phoenix,
Scottsdale and Tempe, hotel rooms fill early for the race and participants
are encouraged to register early. For more information and to register
visit www.rnraz.com or call 800-311-1255.
Created as an executive agency in 1975, the Arizona Office of Tourism is
charged with enhancing the state economy and the quality of life for all
Arizonans by expanding travel activity and increasing related revenues
through tourism promotion and development. AOT works to serve the Grand
Canyon State's travel industry and related businesses, the traveling
public, and the taxpayers of Arizona.
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