Bank of America Chicago Marathon Brings More Than $282 Million to Chicago Economy
Study Finds Event Continues to Drive Tourism, Business and Job Growth
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon continues to contribute to Chicago’s economy, with the 2016 race delivering an estimated
$282 million in total business impact to the city. The findings come from the latest economic impact study
reported today by Bank of America ahead of the 40th anniversary of the event on October 8, 2017.
Providing more than a quarter of a billion dollars to Chicago for the fourth year in a row, the event remains an important
economic driver for the city. Over the past 12 years, the economic impact of this world-class event has nearly tripled, generating
$96 million in 2005 and rising to more than $282 million in 2016.
The independent study is conducted by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Regional Economics Applications Laboratory.
Study authors used the Chicago Region Econometric Input-Output Model to estimate the direct and indirect economic impact the
marathon has on the local economy.
The latest report found the event directly contributed an estimated $115 million to the main sectors of the tourism industry,
which includes lodging, entertainment and transportation, in addition to more than $167 million in indirect activity. This is an
equivalent of 1,939 jobs and $95 million worth of wages and salary income. Each dollar spent by a race participant generated an
additional $1.27 worth of activity distributed throughout Chicago.
“As we celebrate the 40th running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, we’re proud to be part of an event that
continues to have an enormously positive economic benefit for the city of Chicago,” said Paul Lambert, Chicago market president,
Bank of America. “Everyone associated with this iconic running event, including runners, spectators, residents, businesses and
charity partners, feels the effects of the marathon across this great city in the heart of our communities, well beyond race
weekend.”
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon had 41,608 race participants pick up packets in 2016, a 5 percent increase from 2015. Of
those participants, 28 percent noted that they were visiting Chicago for the first time. Each year, the marathon attracts new
visitors to Chicago and helps improve the image of the city as a leading tourist destination, while boosting local revenue.
“For 40 years, the Chicago Marathon has not only brought runners and fans from across the country and around the world to
Chicago, it has brought the city of Chicago together to celebrate a truly tremendous sporting event,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. “I
am appreciative of Bank of America’s continued support of the Chicago Marathon, a race which has a strong economic impact for
Chicago and gives us another opportunity to share our renowned culture, entertainment, architecture and dining with visitors from
across the globe.”
“As runners have raced through our city streets over the past 40 years, they have powered more than $1 billion into our local
economy,” said Carey Pinkowski, Bank of America Chicago Marathon executive race director. “Taking on 26.2 miles is no small task,
and the commitment and dedication of our participants, volunteers and corporate partners can be seen in the marathon’s outsized
impact on our city and community.”
About Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 40th year, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon welcomes thousands of runners from more than 100 countries and all 50
states, including a world-class elite field, top regional and Masters runners, race veterans, debut marathoners and charity
runners. The race’s iconic course takes runners through 29 vibrant neighborhoods on an architectural and cultural tour of Chicago.
Annually, an estimated 1.7 million spectators line the streets cheering on more than 40,000 runners from the start line to the
final stretch down Columbus Drive. As a result of the race’s national and international draw, the Chicago Marathon assists in
raising millions of dollars for a variety of charitable causes while generating $282 million in annual economic impact to its host
city. The 2017 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, a member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, will start and finish in Grant Park
beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 8. In advance of the race, a two-day Abbott Health & Fitness Expo will be held at
McCormick Place Convention Center on Friday, October 6, and Saturday, October 7. For more information about the event and how to
get involved, go to chicagomarathon.com.
Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market
businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management
products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 47 million consumer
and small business relationships with approximately 4,500 retail financial centers, approximately 16,000 ATMs, and award-winning
digital banking with approximately 34 million active users, including 23 million mobile users. Bank of America is a global leader
in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations,
governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3
million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients
through operations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and more than 35 countries.
Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Visit the Bank of America newsroom for more Bank of America news.
www.bankofamerica.com
Reporters May Contact:
Diane Wagner, Bank of America, 312.992.2370
diane.wagner@bankofamerica.com
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170927005051/en/