Sports are a major tourism generator bringing huge benefits to a destination. The chance to play host to a sporting event is an exceptional opportunity that has a positive impact on a city's tourism sector.
Sports tourism is defined as the use of sports as a vehicle for tourism. Basically, it is taking advantage of sports that are being held throughout the country and getting the economic benefits from travel that can occur by hosting these kinds of events.
There is little doubt that sports and athletics play a major roll in tourism. One only has to pick up a newspaper or turn on the television during such events as the World Series or the Super Bowl. In fact, these sporting events are quasi-real holidays throughout the country.
Why do destinations want to be a host city? Why turn a peaceful town upside down for a few days of sports? It's all about the huge impact of the legacy of the brand through media exposure of the event. Add to that the boost to the tourism economy by visitors spending pre- and post-event in a destination and the natural unity of the people of the host city. When the rules of hosting and the role of the tourism sector is mastered, the host city can only come out a winner.
Let The race begin, the Carlsbad Marathon that is!
The Carlsbad Marathon is one of Carlsbad's signature events and according to race participants it is one of the most beautiful courses in the world! And that is a brand statement Carlsbad can be proud of. For locals, it means that a few roads will be closed and we will surely be seeing a lot of physically fit visitors in town.
The San Diego Marathon (now the Carlsbad Marathon) is the second-oldest marathon on the West coast. The very first marathon ever held in San Diego, was run from Oceanside to Mission Bay. For many years the race was held annually in Mission Bay. In 1978 a new race was introduced in San Diego — The Heart of San Diego Marathon — which spanned the Coronado Bridge and finished at Qualcomm Stadium. In Motion, Inc. was hired to produce this new marathon in 1985 and three years later negotiated a merger of San Diego's two marathons: the Heart of San Diego and the San Diego Track Club's Mission Bay Marathon. In 1990 In Motion took over ownership of the merged races and moved the Marathon to Carlsbad in North San Diego County where it remains and flourishes today.
According to Christine Adams, CEO of In Motion, Inc., “The Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon & Half Marathon is a first-class event and The City of Carlsbad provides the perfect venue. Carlsbad offers our participants and their loved ones an unforgettable winter racing experience with its miles of breathtaking coastline, top-rate accommodations, award-winning restaurants and world-class shopping. Carlsbad is our home and we're committed to ensuring our event will continue to be one the city's residents, business owners and elected officials are proud to be a part of.”
The following 2010 Carlsbad event demographics mirror those published in a 2009 National Runner Survey, a product of Running USA. Official 2010 Charities raised more than $150,000 using the Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon as a fundraising vehicle.
Average Annual Income: $95,000
Age Breakdown: 24 & under: 8 percent
25-39: 52 percent
40-49: 25 percent
50-59: 11 percent
60 & over: 4 percent
Gender Breakdown: 59 percent female, 41 percent male
Registration Mode: 88 percent online registration
Participants From: 18 countries and 48 states
Top 3 States: Arizona – 162, Colorado, 90, Washington, 84
Top 3 Countries: United States, Canada, Mexico
Sports tourism is defined as the use of sports as a vehicle for tourism. Basically, it is taking advantage of sports that are being held throughout the country and getting the economic benefits from travel that can occur by hosting these kinds of events.
There is little doubt that sports and athletics play a major roll in tourism. One only has to pick up a newspaper or turn on the television during such events as the World Series or the Super Bowl. In fact, these sporting events are quasi-real holidays throughout the country.
Why do destinations want to be a host city? Why turn a peaceful town upside down for a few days of sports? It's all about the huge impact of the legacy of the brand through media exposure of the event. Add to that the boost to the tourism economy by visitors spending pre- and post-event in a destination and the natural unity of the people of the host city. When the rules of hosting and the role of the tourism sector is mastered, the host city can only come out a winner.
Let The race begin, the Carlsbad Marathon that is!
The Carlsbad Marathon is one of Carlsbad's signature events and according to race participants it is one of the most beautiful courses in the world! And that is a brand statement Carlsbad can be proud of. For locals, it means that a few roads will be closed and we will surely be seeing a lot of physically fit visitors in town.
The San Diego Marathon (now the Carlsbad Marathon) is the second-oldest marathon on the West coast. The very first marathon ever held in San Diego, was run from Oceanside to Mission Bay. For many years the race was held annually in Mission Bay. In 1978 a new race was introduced in San Diego — The Heart of San Diego Marathon — which spanned the Coronado Bridge and finished at Qualcomm Stadium. In Motion, Inc. was hired to produce this new marathon in 1985 and three years later negotiated a merger of San Diego's two marathons: the Heart of San Diego and the San Diego Track Club's Mission Bay Marathon. In 1990 In Motion took over ownership of the merged races and moved the Marathon to Carlsbad in North San Diego County where it remains and flourishes today.
According to Christine Adams, CEO of In Motion, Inc., “The Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon & Half Marathon is a first-class event and The City of Carlsbad provides the perfect venue. Carlsbad offers our participants and their loved ones an unforgettable winter racing experience with its miles of breathtaking coastline, top-rate accommodations, award-winning restaurants and world-class shopping. Carlsbad is our home and we're committed to ensuring our event will continue to be one the city's residents, business owners and elected officials are proud to be a part of.”
The following 2010 Carlsbad event demographics mirror those published in a 2009 National Runner Survey, a product of Running USA. Official 2010 Charities raised more than $150,000 using the Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon as a fundraising vehicle.
Average Annual Income: $95,000
Age Breakdown: 24 & under: 8 percent
25-39: 52 percent
40-49: 25 percent
50-59: 11 percent
60 & over: 4 percent
Gender Breakdown: 59 percent female, 41 percent male
Registration Mode: 88 percent online registration
Participants From: 18 countries and 48 states
Top 3 States: Arizona – 162, Colorado, 90, Washington, 84
Top 3 Countries: United States, Canada, Mexico