The ninth Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival put more than $25 million into the city and state's economy according to a recent study by RESI, an economic research and consulting firm located at Towson University. That's more than double the event's economic impact of $11.2 million in its first year in 2001.
This event, which attracted a record 20,364 runners, marked its seventh consecutive year of 15 to 20 percent growth year over year. Each year the festival attracts more out of state participants, with 40 percent of this year's runners coming from beyond the state's borders compared to 25 percent in its first year. In all, 50 states and 44 countries were represented in the 2009 field.
Visitors = 57,075
Hotels = $5,382,013
Eating = $5,382,013
Retail = $3,799,068
Transportation = $4,432,246
Entertainment = $6,331,780
TOTAL = $25,327,120
"When one considers the economy the last couple of years I think it makes our annual economic impact figure and steady growth even more impressive," says Lee Corrigan, the event's Executive Director and President of Corrigan Sports Enterprises. "Without the unwavering support we receive from city and state agencies, along with our sponsors, the Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival would not exist. It boggles my mind to think this event has generated more than $135M for our local and state economies since we started in 2001, but I know it's a direct reward for all of the hard work thousands of people put into this magnificent day."
The charitable proceeds generated by the 2009 event topped $830,000. Special Olympics Maryland, The United Way of Central Maryland, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Helping Up Mission, Moveable Feast, Parks and People, Sadie's Gift, Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, Baltimore Fire Foundation and After School Club, Maryland Center for Arts and Tech, Maryland Institute of Art and Alzheimer's Association are some of the area's benefiting charities. More than $5 million has been raised for charity since the event's inception.
Source: Corrigan Sports Enterprises
Writer: Walaika Haskins