P.F. Chang’s Rock ’n‘ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon Generates $44 Million for Arizona’s Economy Increase of $3 million since the inaugural race in 2004

PHOENIX – (June 19, 2007) – The Fourth Annual P.F. Chang’s Rock ’n‘ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ 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, the world’s largest marathon and half-marathon combination, 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 & ½ 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 & ½ Marathon in 2008.“

The next race will be held on Sunday, 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
RnRAZ.com
Rock ’n‘ Roll Arizona Marathon
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.

Contact:
Kiva Couchon,
Arizona Office of Tourism,
(602) 364-3724

Source/Courtesy: Running USA – RunningUSA.org

Ryan Lamppa,
Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232
Ryan@RunningUSA.org |
www.RunningUSA.org