every city needs a marathon

Marathons are making great strides domestically and showing a positive trend. This is closely related to over 40 years of steady economic development in our country, the increasing living standards of the people, the growing awareness of health, and the willingness of various levels of government to host marathons to promote urban development.

Economic development and the pursuit of a healthy and happy life by the people have laid a solid foundation for the development of marathons. When a city hosts a marathon, runners from all over the country come to participate.

Support from various levels of government has removed many obstacles and provided many conveniences for hosting marathons. The government covers operational costs, solving many funding shortages for events.

On the day of the event, the government coordinates road closures, providing a safe and orderly environment for the marathon.

The government mobilizes the strength of multiple departments to support the event, ensuring the smooth hosting of the marathon.

There is no such thing as unprovoked hate or love in this world. The support of various levels of government for hosting marathons must have reasons, and hosting marathons is certainly meaningful for a city.

Boosting the city's GDP growth.

Hosting a marathon can attract tens of thousands of participants, with a significant portion of them being runners from other regions.

When runners from other regions come to a city, they need to stay in hotels, take taxis, gather with friends, visit local tourist attractions, and buy local specialties before leaving. The economic benefits generated by these activities are considerable.

Operating a marathon might cost the government millions (many well-known marathons no longer require government funding), but the direct consumption it drives can be counted in billions. The sports bureau spends the money, and the tourism and tax bureaus earn it back.

In 2018, the Xiamen Marathon brought direct economic benefits of 116 million yuan to Xiamen, driving economic benefits of 175 million yuan, with a total economic impact of 291 million yuan. The Xiamen Marathon is one of the four major marathons in China, and while many city marathons cannot compare to it, they still generate significant economic benefits.

——Image from the internet

In the context of the Sino-US trade war, the engine of economic growth driven by exports has slowed down, making it imperative to prioritize domestic consumption as an engine of economic growth. Marathons are an important force in driving domestic consumption and are increasingly valued by various levels of government.

Enhancing the city's reputation.

A city marathon with 20,000 participants can bring at least 10,000 runners from other regions. If a city marathon is well-organized, these 10,000 people become voluntary promoters of the city, praising it on social media platforms like WeChat, Weibo, and QQ.

Assuming each person has 600 WeChat friends, these 10,000 people can influence 6 million people. If a city marathon is held for five consecutive years, 50,000 people from other regions will visit the city, potentially influencing 30 million people. With media coverage, reaching 50 million people in five years is not impossible.

With 50 million people reached, the city gains a certain level of recognition domestically.

Many runners, like me, first learn about a city because of its marathon, then decide to travel there for the marathon.

If it weren't for the Liupanshui Marathon, I wouldn't know about Liupanshui in the mountains of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, known as the 'Coal Capital of the South.'

If it weren't for the Qingyuan Marathon, I wouldn't know that Qingyuan, close to Guangzhou, has beautiful mountains and waters and delicious chicken.

If it weren't for the Jingzhou Marathon, I wouldn't know that in Jingzhou, having breakfast is called 'guozao,' and the early morning noodles are delicious.

If it weren't for the Zixi Marathon, I wouldn't know which city in Jiangxi Zixi is in, even though I have long known that 'Zixi bread' is delicious.

The more a city is known to outsiders, the more people know about its history, scenic spots, and local specialties, making it more likely to attract tourists.

Driving the development of urban tourism.

Every year, tens of thousands of people come to a city to participate in a marathon. Their contribution to the city goes beyond their spending on transportation, accommodation, and dining during the event.

Many runners arrive a few days early or stay a few days after the marathon to explore the city's mountains, scenic spots, and local cuisine.

If a city leaves a good impression, runners are likely to return with their families for a vacation. They will also share their experiences on social media, potentially encouraging their friends to visit the city with their families.

While tens of thousands of people may have a limited impact on a city's tourism, behind these tens of thousands are tens of thousands of families. Each of these people has hundreds or even thousands of WeChat friends (marathon runners generally have a high level of attention in their social circles), creating a vast potential for influence.

Years ago, Xunliao Bay was not well-known outside Guangdong Province. However, the successful hosting of the Xunliao Bay Marathon in recent years has made more people aware that its beaches can rival those of the Maldives, earning it the reputation of 'Heavenly White Sand Beach.' More and more people are bringing their families to Xunliao Bay for vacations.

——Image from the internet

Xianning, although only one character different from Xianyang, was little known to people outside the province years ago. However, the Xianning Hot Spring Marathon, hosted for three consecutive years by Borun Sports, has not only made more people aware of Xianning but also its numerous hot springs, with 18,244 large and small spring eyes, offering a great experience. More and more people are bringing their families to Xianning for hot spring vacations.

Forcing changes in the city's appearance.

A large-scale event can significantly impact a city's appearance because tens of thousands of people will arrive at once. From the city government to the citizens, everyone wants the participants to leave with a good impression of their city. They will do everything possible to present the city's best side before the event, building venues, repairing roads, greening areas, and promoting civilized behavior.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics transformed Beijing, making the sky bluer, the water greener, and turning the Olympic Park into a popular tourist destination and the Olympic Forest Park into a runner's paradise.

The 2016 G20 Summit in Hangzhou made the city the focus of the world. After the summit, countless people were impressed by Hangzhou's livability and modernization, leading to a significant rise in property prices.

——Image from the internet

However, not every city has the opportunity to host the Olympics or the G20 Summit, but every city can host a marathon. Marathons attract local participants, people from other provinces, and even international runners.

Hosting a large marathon requires a city to have smooth roads and a beautiful environment. Various levels of government can use the marathon as an opportunity to improve the city's appearance, and local citizens will likely applaud these efforts. Who wouldn't want their hometown to become more beautiful and receive praise from others?

Governments at all levels can also use this opportunity to guide citizens to regulate their behavior, showcasing the local people's warmth, friendliness, and civility to the visiting runners.

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A well-organized marathon can enhance a city's reputation, but organizing a good marathon is not easy. The most important thing is to find a reliable event management company.

Whether in large cities or medium and small cities, it is essential to find a reputable event management company to operate the city marathon. Companies like Xiamen Media Group, Huipao Sports, Zhongji Sports, Borun Sports, Zhongti Sports, Kaicheng Sports, Wildman Sports, Ruizhong Hefang Sports, and Huacheng Sports are all good choices.

Choosing them not only ensures the quality of the event but also brings their brand appeal, attracting more runners to participate.

We look forward to every city having an exciting marathon, running a race, touring a city, and taking away the city's landscapes, attractions, cuisine, and wonderful people.