Presentation By: Marc Brust, Peoria Sports Supervisor Jeff Crane, Peoria Sports Coordinator

 Collection of 11 running events that occur in the city of Peoria. ◦ 6 events managed and run by City of Peoria ◦ 5 events managed by partner organizations  Arizona Road Racers  IMS Arizona Marathon  Arizona Municipal Water User’s Association

 Participant Receive Points Just for Finishing the Event  Additional Points Given for Finish ◦ Points to top 10 Overall finishers ◦ Points to the top 5 finishers in each age category

 City of Peoria had traditionally managed two annual races with a total of approximately 150 participations.  Growth of Events Hosted at Rio Vista Park and the New River Trail System  Opportunity to Cross Market and Grow All Events

 Returning Event Participation Growth: 430%  Total Participant Growth in Peoria Events: 920%  Total Number of UNIQUE Participations: 5,209  Total Number of Participations: 6,246

 Hot Market ◦ Individual Sports, in particular Running, are at an all time high.  Number of runner’s nationwide in 1990: 4.8 million  Number of runner’s nationwide in 2012: 15.5 million  Percentage of female runner’s in 1990: 25%  Percentage of female runner’s in 2012: 56%

 Incentive to Return ◦ Top 100 point earners at the end of the Series were entered into a drawing.  Grand Prize: Trip for Two (airfare, hotel, and race entry) to the 2013 San Francisco Half Marathon ◦ Champions in each age category were awarded plaques and overall champions received sponsor credit.

 GREAT Partners ◦ Immediate buy in and help from the running world  Arizona Road Racers  IMS Arizona Marathon ◦ Great Sponsor  Tortoise & Hare Sports

 Youth Cross Country League ◦ Due to the success of the Peoria Runner’s Series and partnership with Tortoise & Hare Sports, we created first Peoria Youth Cross Country League.  75 participants in first season!  Kids’ Run Series ◦ At each City of Peoria managed event we hosted a Kids’ Run along with main event.  Awesome way to engage youth in the event

 ABSOLUTELY ◦ How many calls do you get weekly about people looking to put on events at your facility. ◦ Great way to enhance the Special Events you are already doing. ◦ Bring people to your city/town. ◦ Create ownership and buy-in from your citizens.