1. 2018 Boston Marathon
By the Numbers

2. 30,000
30,000 runners compete annually in the Boston Marathon, the maximum allowed by the rules set forth by the Boston Athletic Association

3. 99
Participating runners at this year’s race will be representing 99 different countries around the world

4. 2.5%
An estimated 2.5% of the field cheats to post times fast enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon

5. 5,062
Over 5,000 runners had their applications for participation rejected for this year’s race, the result of field-size constraints

6. 50
Each year, an estimated 50 “crashers” (unauthorized runners) will run the entire race at the Boston Marathon

7. $201 million
The 2018 Boston Marathon is expected to create over $200 million in economic impact for the city of Boston and surrounding area

8. $264 million
Over $264 million has been raised for charity by the Boston Marathon since 1989

9. 34
34 organizations officially participate in the Boston Marathon’s charity program

10. $830,500
The total prize purse for the 2018 Boston Marathon comes in at nearly $850,000

11. $220,000
$220,000 in prize money is up for grabs for record-breaking performances at this year’s race

12. $150,000
Winners of the men’s and women’s race at the 121st Boston Marathon will pocket $150,000 each

13. $130,000
The 1st place prize for winning the Boston Marathon is $20,000 more than what winners receive for winning the NYC Marathon, $50,000 more than the Chicago Marathon and $100,000 more than London’s Marathon

14. $185
The registration fee for runner’s to participate in this year’s race is $180 for U.S. residents, $250 for international competitors

15. 23
The 2018 Boston Marathon will feature 23 different sponsors, including the title sponsor John Hancock

16. $18.9 million
John Hancock has paid nearly $20 million in sponsorship fees for the title rights to the Boston Marathon since 1986, the first year prize money was introduced

17. 1,000
An estimated 1,000 media members are expected to provide coverage of the 2018 Boston Marathon

18. 2
The Boston Marathon ranks as the second most covered single-day sporting event, behind only the Super Bowl

19. 500,000
A half million spectators are expected to cheer runners along the course route at the 2018 Boston Marathon

20. 9,500
9,500 volunteers will be on hand to help manage the event, performing tasks ranging from providing water to runners throughout the race and awarding prizes

21. Questions for Class Discussion1
What is the name of the organization responsible
for staging the Boston Marathon? 2
What is a “title” sponsorship? 3
What is the name of the company with title sponsorship
rights to this year’s Boston Marathon? Why do you think
they invest in this particular sports property?

22. Questions for Class Discussion4
What other companies might be interested in sponsoring
the Boston Marathon? Why? 5
What is economic impact? 6
How might major sporting events like the Boston Marathon
provide an economic boost to host cities?

23. Sources
WalletHub infographic: