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 race's 14,000 runners spent $1.9 million in the course of the weekend of Oct. 9 to 11, 2010.
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.
The Economic Planning Group said spectators and volunteers together contributed nearly $800,000 in spending in the Capital Region. The three-day race expo brought in $42,000 and the society spent $573,000 locally.
The analysis showed indirect effects — economic activity spurred on by supply 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.”
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