The GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon injected $7.1 million into the local economy in October, according to a study.
The Economic Planning Group of Canada, which conducted the economic impact analysis, determined the event’s 14,000 runners spent $1.9 million on the Oct. 9-11 weekend.
The number of participants, plus 6,600 spectators and the economic impact on the region make last year’s marathon “the most successful event ever,” said Victoria Marathon Society president Bob Reid.
A large portion of the 42-kilometre marathon route is in Oak Bay.
The Economic Planning Group said spectators and volunteers together contributed nearly $800,000 in spending to the Capital Region. The three-day race expo brought in $42,000 and the society spent $573,000 locally.
The analysis also showed indirect effects – economic activity spurred on by supplying goods and services – added up to $3.3 million.
Helen Welch of Tourism Victoria said the marathon “has grown into one of Victoria’s most significant annual events.”
This year’s GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon will be held Oct. 9. It includes a marathon, half-marathon and eight-kilometre races.
ecardone@vicnews.com