[Editor’s note: This item was updated May 18 at 10:40 a.m. to add a comment from Beth Shluger.]
The ranks of spectators, volunteers and participants at last year’s rainy Hartford Marathon declined 13 percent from the year before, race organizers revealed Thursday.
The drop in attendance from 75,000 to 65,000 translated to a regional economic impact of $13.2 million, down from a peak of $14.1 million in 2013, when attendance spiked 26 percent, according to a state-commissioned analysis by Avon’s Witan Intelligence released Thursday by the Hartford Marathon Foundation.
The analysis factors in direct and indirect spending related to the race.
The average party directly spent $324, according to Witan. That was down from $388 in 2013.
“While the rain and cold definitely impacted 2014 event participation, attendance and economic impact was on par with years past,” Beth G. Shluger, executive director and CEO of the Hartford Marathon Foundation, said in a statement. “With the support of our partners and the incredible regional running community, we’re hopeful this October’s Eversource Hartford Marathon is on par with the big boost we experienced for our 20th running in 2013, which was a picture perfect day in Hartford.”
Last year’s race was the first with Northeast Utilities as the title sponsor.
NU rebranded itself as Eversource Energy in February, which will be reflected in official race logos and branding, organizers said.
NU bought the title sponsorship a year ago, after former six-year sponsor ING U.S.’s agreement ended.
Registration for the Oct. 10 marathon is open, and organizers expect to announce next month which charities will benefit from it.
