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Inaugural event generates an economic impact of more than $16.4 million to the economy of San Jose
SAN JOSE, Calif., (Feb. 9, 2007) - Last October, the debut of the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in San Jose became the world's seventh largest inaugural running event with 11,536 entrants. The race is now positioned in the top 10 list of largest half marathons in the United States and is the largest half marathon in the Bay Area. Strong first-year numbers translated into a total economic impact of more than $16.4 million to the economy of San Jose, a number Elite Racing, Inc., organizer of the road race, is confidant will grow in 2007.
Drawing on the success of Elite Racing's series of musically themed marathons and half marathons staged throughout the country, San Jose's race took just over a year to plan, and the event's general manager Elizabeth O'Brien is pleased with the results.
"Since 1998, our events have grown by energizing the local running community and creating a tour for runners and walkers who like to travel and race," O'Brien said. "The Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon is now the sixth in Elite Racing's series and we are looking forward to welcoming more participants and spectators in the second year."
Next race day, Oct. 14, 2007, Elite Racing is forecasting a 13 percent increase in participation, leading to an estimated economic impact of $18 million.
Elite Racing's CEO, Tim Murphy, believes his company found a winning combination in San Jose to extend its national tour of road races.
"The city showed great support from the start and recognized the value in a participatory event that promotes fitness, entertainment and travel to a local and national audience," Murphy said. "We recognized the potential in San Jose to deliver the quality running experience our customers have come to enjoy."
With its six-race tour, Elite Racing has been able to bolster the travel and tourism business of running. Packaging the pleasant October weather with a flat, fast and entertaining course located in a downtown area full of amenities, organizers expect to continue to draw more runners and walkers from out of town.
The number of hotel room blocks filled over race weekend indicated to event organizers that the city is an attractive location for their clients. In addition, organizers situated all event attractions, such as the two-day Health & Fitness Expo that preceded the race, downtown, making hotels, dining and entertainment more accessible to visitors.
Elite Racing recognizes the importance of its local running fans.
"Local participants are the pulse of any road race and there is a strong "rock 'n' roll" alumni in San Jose and it showed on race day," O'Brien added. "About 28 percent of all participants were from the City of San Jose."
In 2006, Elite Racing's events generated an estimated economic impact of more than $150 million in the cities of San Diego, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Nashville, Virginia Beach, Philadelphia and San Jose combined.
Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, San Jose by the numbers:
Runners registered - 11,536
Total finishers - 9,527
Female finishers - 5,483
Male finishers - 4,044
95 percent of participants registered online
28 percent of participants were from San Jose
Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon is:
World's seventh largest inaugural running event
10th largest half marathon in the United States
Largest half marathon in the Bay Area
Flat and Fast:
Men's champion Duncan Kibet of Kenya runs second fastest half marathon time ever on American soil, 1:00:22
American Jen Rhines runs fourth fastest women's half marathon time in 2006, 1:12:09
Three men and four women ran under the old California state record times (men 1:02:06, women - 1:11:16).
Three-time Super Bowl Champion Roger Craig, wearing bib number 33, finished in 1:40:27
For more information or to register for the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in San Jose, go to RnRsj.com or call 800/311-1255.
About Elite Racing, Inc.
Elite Racing, Inc. is a sports marketing and management company based in San Diego, Calif., specializing in the production of world-class marathons and half marathons. In 1998, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego burst on to the running scene. Positioning live bands, on stage, at every mile along the course, the race popularized the company's musical marathon concept to a field of almost 20,000 runners and walkers. The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon will celebrate its 10th anniversary on June 3, 2006.
Today, the concept has grown to six cities nationwide. Events include the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego, Calif., the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & ˝ Marathon in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe Ariz., the Country Music Marathon & ˝ Marathon in Nashville, Tenn., the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathons in Virginia Beach, Va. and San Jose, Calif. and the Philadelphia Distance Run.
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