2018 Boston Marathon Facts: Records, Money & More
2:17 AMPosted by: John S Kiernan
The Boston Marathon is the country’s premier long-distance running event and a Patriots’ Day mainstay for Beantowners. But it’s become much more than that. The heinous acts of two troubled young men in 2013 turned the city into a symbol of American resilience and “Boston Strong” into a rallying cry heard worldwide. As a result, the Boston Marathon is characterized not by the violence of that day, but rather by the fact that we continue to run freely each year.
Symbolism aside, a spot in the Boston Marathon is a prestigious position. The field is limited to just 30,000 people, 80% of whom must beat an age-based qualifying time in another marathon to even have a chance. Those who do make the cut also get to chase the richest purse in racing in U.S. That’s one big reason why there’s always plenty of elite talent – including Olympians past and future – leading the pack.
You can’t overlook the Boston Marathon’s impact on the local economy, either. In fact, the area gets a roughly $7.67 million boost for each of the 26.2 miles in the race each year.
Clearly, there’s a lot to learn about this storied event. So to help get you up to speed, WalletHub analyzed the race from start to finish in search of interesting Boston Marathon factoids. You can check out what we found in the infographic below, followed by an expert Q&A about the Boston Marathon’s significance and the business of running. Enjoy the race!
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For a closer look at the business of big races such as the Boston Marathon, we posed the following questions to a panel of leading experts. You can find their bios and responses below.
- What tips do you have for a non-professional, first-time participant in the Boston Marathon?
- What are the economic impacts of the Boston Marathon on the city and neighboring communities?
Lisa Cadmus-Bertram Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Epidemiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ahmed Hashmiwu Visiting Assistant Professor of Economics in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Massachusetts Boston
Joel Lombard Senior Lecturer in the Biology Department at Simmons College
Joan Fitzgerald Professor of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University
Ashley Duggan Associate Professor in the Communication Department at Boston College
Jack T Dennerlein Adjunct Professor of Ergonomics and Safety in the Department of Environmental Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Jennifer Willett Associate Professor in the Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management at Kennesaw State University
Sripad Motiram Associate Professor of Economics in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Massachusetts Boston
What tips do you have for a non-professional first time participant to the Boston Marathon?
Because of the qualifying time requirements, first-time participants in the Boston Marathon are, in general, much more experienced and better prepared than are first-time marathoners. Most have completed several previous marathons. My tips are therefore quite a bit different than what I would tell a novice marathoner. For first-time Boston marathoners, my suggestions would be:
- Be mentally and physically prepared for a long wait in the starting area prior to beginning the race. Consider how you will stay warm and dry enough if the weather is bad.
- Run for enjoyment and experience rather than time. Boston is not the fastest course but can be an experience of a lifetime. Run in the moment and enjoy sharing this time with your fellow runners.
What are the economic impacts of the Boston marathon on the city and neighboring communities?
The economic impacts of the Boston Marathon would, I imagine, be comparable to other major events. There is an enormous influx of 30,000 runners requiring lodging, food, etc. Many runners come with friends or family, so the total tourist impact would be considerably larger than just the participants themselves. The race is a boon to local restaurants, boutiques, and attractions. It’s also a wonderful advertisement for the city of Boston as a whole.
Ahmed Hashmiwu Visiting Assistant Professor of Economics in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Massachusetts Boston
What are the economic impacts of the Boston marathon on the city and neighboring communities?
The 122nd Boston Marathon is scheduled for April 16, 2018. According to recent official records from the Boston Athletic Association, about 30,000 participants from all walks of life enter the event officially. A significantly higher number of other individuals also visit the Boston area for the event in unofficial capacity. The impact on the local economy cannot be overemphasized.
Many sectors of the local economy are expected to benefit directly from the event. Notable among these are the hospitality industry and the transport sector. Increased demand for goods and services such as hotel accommodation, restaurant services, taxi and other transport services have stimulative effects on the local economy. Some peripheral activities such as the sale of paraphernalia and other sporting goods would also generate additional income for the local economy. A significant number of small businesses also take the opportunity to exhibit their products. Moreover, there is an increase in future tourism potential for the area, especially from “satisfied” first-time visitors and their associates.
In 2016, the local economy benefited from an estimated $188.8 million in additional spending due to the event, according to records from the Boston Athletic Association. Last year, the contribution was estimated (pre-event) at $192.2 million. Going by these figures, we can expect this year's event to also contribute significantly to the local economy.
However, we cannot ignore some of the costs associated with this event, primarily due to the increased pressure on available resources. While costs of additional security and cleaning services are measurable and significant, others may not be directly measurable, but may impact productivity. These include external costs such as traffic congestion and noise pollution. It might take you a longer time to go from one place to the another due to overwhelming traffic. You may also wait a few more minutes to get a sandwich when there are more customers waiting in line. You could have used this lost time for other productive activities. Nevertheless, these costs are negligible in comparison to the befits.
Joel Lombard Senior Lecturer in the Biology Department at Simmons College
What tips do you have for a non-professional first time participant to the Boston Marathon?
I have personally have never run a Marathon, let alone the Boston Marathon, but as an Exercise Physiologist, my advice for first-timers it to make sure they are properly hydrated and rested for the day of the race. I would also remind folks that no one does anything perfectly the first time, so don't push your body past limits it’s not ready for. Run your own race. "Pain isn't weakness leaving the body, pain it's your bodies way of telling you to stop." So, if you find yourself in pain, real pain, pushing yourself to a potential risk of injury only proves that you ignore your bodies finely tuned alarm system. So, have fun with it. Best of luck to everyone!
Joan Fitzgerald Professor of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University
What are the economic impacts of the Boston marathon on the city and neighboring communities?
Events such as the marathon attract local spending that otherwise would not occur. The 50,000 runners and their friends and families fill local hotels and restaurants for the weekend. The crowd of about 600,000, dispersed over the route, adds to demand for local goods and services. Estimates show a rising amount of spending in the Boston economy -- from about $188 million in 2016 to $192 million in 2017. And the marathon isn’t the only game in town. Boston’s convention center in the Seaport district hosts the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo that starts the Friday before the marathon and runs through Sunday.
There are costs for the city as well. Security costs have risen dramatically since the bombings in 2013. As many as 8,000 police, many of them undercover, will be positioned along the route. The Boston Athletic Association pays towns along the route to compensate for some of the extra security and other costs.
But the benefits far outweigh the costs. There are non-quantifiable benefits that are important, too. The marathon increases civic pride and allows people to see what a beautiful city Boston is. Like many sporting and cultural events, it showcases Boston. It’s hard to estimate how many people decide to come back for a longer visit after attending the marathon.
Ashley Duggan Associate Professor in the Communication Department at Boston College
What tips do you have for a non-professional first time participant to the Boston Marathon?
As the world's oldest annual marathon, the Boston marathon attracts some of the best runners from around the world, as well as many people who are inspired by the event and choose to take on their first marathon challenge. It is a race with some particularly difficult parts, including the "Heartbreak Hill" part of the race. Just when it seems you have little left within the body or the legs or the feet, that part of the race can feel endless -- but that is also the part where fans are cheering, where people find new life within themselves, where walking or slowing down for a bit can be just enough to keep going and to finish the race. The end is near. The many supporters want to share their energy and enthusiasm. This is where it's just about finishing the race.
What are the economic impacts of the Boston marathon on the city and neighboring communities?
The Boston marathon positively impacts Boston and the neighboring communities, beyond the direct results of fundraising and bringing people into the city to run. The Boston marathon offers a particularly inspiring image and opportunity for economic impact as a model of hope -- hope for doing what we know requires effort and training. Finding hope even when we face adversity. Retaining hope when everything within us seems almost empty.
Jack T Dennerlein Adjunct Professor of Ergonomics and Safety in the Department of Environmental Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
What tips do you have for a non-professional first time participant to the Boston Marathon?
It's been 17 years since I ran the Marathon in 2001. What I do remember is that it's not about speed, it's about finishing. And that is the most important thing to remember as you start Boston. Boston's course can trick you. With the downhill in the beginning, it is easy to start faster than can be sustained for the 26.2 miles. So, once you're in Framingham, take it easy, relax and enjoy the crowds and the cheers -- take it all in. Also, walk the water stops -- the micro-breaks help to sustain your performance.
What are the economic impacts of the Boston marathon on the city and neighboring communities?
The city is crazy on Marathon weekend, with tons of folks visiting. They're all spending money in Boston and this spending spills over to all the towns along the route and wherever visitors find a hotel. They spend on hotels, restaurants, and athletic shops -- Marathon Sports must take in a lot of revenue that weekend. That spending means more people working, more revenue, and more investment. It’s the runners and the spectators. When I've hosted spectators, we all eat out, we go buy T-shirts -- typical touristy stuff.
Jennifer Willett Associate Professor in the Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management at Kennesaw State University
What are the economic impacts of the Boston marathon on the city and neighboring communities?
Large-scale sporting events tend to have major economic impacts on host cities and the surrounding area. According to the BBA, for the past three years, the economic impact has grown from $188.8 million in 2016 to an expected $200 million in 2018.
Sripad Motiram Associate Professor of Economics in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Massachusetts Boston
What tips do you have for a non-professional first time participant to the Boston Marathon?
I am assuming that you are asking me about the right things to do in the short period before the race day, and the race day itself, since the Boston marathon is in about ten days. The longest run (of about 20 miles) should be over by now and the participant should be in the "taper" phase, where he/she is reducing the mileage. In the week before the marathon, the participant should run very little (3-4 miles per run). In the two days preceding the marathon, it is better to take rest and stretch. Some experts have suggested that it may be better to run a short distance (2 miles or so) on the day before the marathon so that the body is "race-ready." I have myself done this sometimes, not always. A good rule of thumb to follow is to "listen to one's body" -- respond to how the body is feeling -- resting and stretching before the race is important.
A second component is nutrition and hydration. It is important to eat well in the days preceding the race, particularly the day before the race. A carb-rich meal that can adequately fuel the run is important. It is best to not try anything new or fancy before the race. It is better to stick to what the body has been used to during training. The body loses a lot of water during a marathon. So, it is important to drink water and/or energy drinks before the race, so that the body is hydrated well before the race. The weather plays an important role during a race, so it is a good idea to look at the forecast, and set one's target and prepare accordingly.
The race is partly in the mind, i.e., the mental component is important. It is natural to be stressed prior to the race, particularly if it is the first marathon. One technique that I learnt in India that I have found useful is to meditate, calm oneself before the race, and visualize (while meditating) proceeding through the race, approaching the finish line, and reaching the target.
On the race day itself, it is important to give oneself enough time to reach the venue -- I have seen some runners get stressed on this count. During the race, it is necessary to hydrate properly, taking enough water breaks. It is also better to not try anything new during the race, e.g., if one is used to eating gels during training, better to do this. One can plan very well, but a marathon is a long-drawn and unpredictable affair, so one may have to adapt, e.g., one may have started with a particular target, but as the race proceeds, the weather could become adverse, so one may have to revise one's target.
What are the economic impacts of the Boston marathon on the city and neighboring communities?
The Boston marathon is part of the identity of the city and its neighborhood. It is one of the most well-known sporting events in the world and contributes to the "brand-value" and image of the city. The marathon promotes a culture of fitness and health-consciousness in the city and the neighborhood, thereby contributing to the fitness and running industries. Improved health and fitness have an intrinsic value (i.e., they are good things in themselves), but better physical and mental health lowers costs of health care. The event (Boston Marathon) contributed to revenue for the city (e.g., through tourism). I would expect that, overall, the Boston marathon would have a positive economic impact on the city and the neighboring communities.
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