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Valencia Half Marathon generates 13.6 million euros in tourism spending, a sum five times greater than the organization costs

According to Ivie’s report, the Marathon produced an impact on the Valencian economy of 8.4 million euros in terms of income and created an equivalent of 258 full-time jobs a year

The Trinidad Alfonso Zurich Valencia Half Marathon has become a key part of Valencia City of Running, not only because of its reputation as the fastest in the world, with two world records, but also because of the interest it arouses among recreational runners which explains the fact that all entries for the 2025 race were sold out within hours. To calculate the importance of the race, the Ivie has carried out for the first time an Economic Impact Report with impressive results, one of them being that runners and their companions left 13.6 million euros in tourism spending for the city of Valencia.

The study quantifies the economic impact in terms of revenue, income and employment, as well as the fiscal impact, i.e., the income that the race generates for the public administration through taxes and contributions. To start quantifying the impacts, first the costs incurred by the organizers, SD Correcaminos, are considered, which amounted to 2.59 million euros funded by sponsors and registration fees. In its 2024 edition, the Valencia Half Marathon once again broke its record number of registered runners with a total of 26,118 people (recreational runners, professional runners and sponsors), 22% more than the previous year.

In addition to the organization’s expenses, the tourist spending made by runners and their companions from outside Valencia made up 54.3% of the total spending. This estimate is calculated through surveys carried out among participants and their companions on the day of the race, with the expenditure of national visitors being 137.8 euros per day and that of foreigners 159.9 euros. In total, the expenditure made by these visitors amounted to 13.61 million euros, five times more than the organization costs. Thus, for every euro spent on the organization of the race, 5.3 euros of tourist expenditure were generated, especially in hotels, restaurants and local commerce.

The total expenditure associated with the Valencia Half Marathon results in a total economic impact on the Valencian economy of 29.4 million euros in sales in Valencian companies, which in turn generates 8.4 million euros in income (salaries and business profits). In addition, the celebration of the event produced an important impact on employment which equated to the creation of 258 full-time jobs per year.

“We already knew that the Trinidad Alfonso Zurich Valencia Marathon serves as a benchmark and a major source of wealth for the Valencian economy, but the Half Marathon complements it. This is clearly evident by the fact that for every euro spent on organizing the event, 3.2 euros of income are generated in benefit of the Valencian people”, according to Joaquín Maudos, Ivie deputy director and co-author of the report.

By industry, the service sector is the one that concentrates most of the economic impact of the Half Marathon (87.4% in terms of income and 89.6% in terms of employment). Also noteworthy are the hotel and restaurant industry (3.4 million euros and 126 jobs), real estate activities and business services (1.6 million euros in income and 20 jobs), commerce (0.7 million euros and 35 jobs) and other services, social activities and personal services (including recreational, cultural and sporting activities with 0.46 million euros in income and 13 jobs).

Almost 5 million euros in taxes

The Valencia Half Marathon also had a positive fiscal impact, since both the expenses associated with its organization and the money spent by runners and their guests increase tax revenue through taxes and social security contributions, both directly, as expenditure subject to different types of taxes, and indirectly and induced, through increased productive activity and consumption in the region. In sum, according to Ivie’s economic impact report, carried out by Joaquín Maudos, Ivie’s deputy director, and economist Eva Benages, the race contributed with 4.96 million euros in tax collection, which means that for every euro spent on organizing the event, 1.9 million euros were collected in taxes.

Runner’s score: 8.5 average

As with every year, a satisfaction survey was carried out among participants, who gave the 2024 edition an average score of 8.5 and highlighted as the main reason for choosing the Valencia Half Marathon its great atmosphere and the fact that it is perfect for running a fast race. In fact, 42% answered that they had achieved their best personal record in Valencia, lowering on average their best mark by two minutes. In addition, 82% said they would run the race again and 96% would recommend it to others.