Community Corner

Marathon Means Millions for Boston Economy

The annual race is expected to generate more than $137 million in spending for the city of Boston.

The Boston Marathon will kick start the city’s spring tourist season by bringing in about $137 million, according to the Greater Boston Convention and Visitor Bureau.

The race boasts more than 500,000 spectators expected to line 26.2 miles to see 26,700 official runners. And everyone’s buying things. 

“The spending impact of the 116th Boston Marathon is the equivalent to our region hosting the NCAA Final Four,” said Patrick Moscaritolo, president and CEO of the Convention and Visitor Bureau. “It is a huge economic benefit for our visitor industry…”

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Tom Grilk, Executive Director of the Boston Athletic Association, said the organization is proud to help generate this energy and enthusiasm.

“Every year, hometown heroes from every state and from countries worldwide come to Boston to test their fitness at the world’s oldest and most prestigious annual marathon,” he said, “and in the process they patronize our shops, restaurants, hotels and stimulate our businesses like at no other time of the year.”  

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By the numbers:

Spectators: 500,000
Official runners: 26,700
Runners from outside the U.S.: 4,330
Number of countries represented: 67 (including the United States).
Expected spending: $137 million
Date race began: 1887


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