Some 3,900 runners competed in the first Marine Corps Historic Half, a boost to local hotels and restaurants. CHRISTOPHER WEHLING/THE FREE LANCE-STAR
The first Marine Corps Historic Half led to a one-night boom in registrations at some area hotels. Next year, the field is supposed to double. CHRISTOPHER WEHLING/THE FREE LANCE-STAR
Half marathon brought hundreds to Fredericksburg area overnight
Mike Bartell, his wife and three other couples traveled from Montgomery County, Md., to Fredericksburg last weekend to run in the inaugural Marine Corps Historic Half.
They stayed in a city hotel, ate at local restaurants and found it easy to find the Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center--site of the start and finish lines for Sunday's race and host for the two-day Healthy Lifestyle Expo.
Bartell said he enjoyed the experience so much he plans to return to run next year.
Bartell and his friends are an example of what the region's tourism and economic-development officials had hoped for when the folks who run the Marine Corps Marathon approached them last year with the idea of running a half marathon in the city.
Historic Half race coordinator Angela Huff said she saw Fredericksburg as a safe and attractive place for the 13.1-mile event and knew people in the area were enthusiastic about running. She also knew from her experience as business manager for the annual Marine Corps Marathon that the city and region could benefit economically from the event.
The most recent study of the full marathon's economic impact found that the 30,000 participants and their spectators poured $31.7 million into the Arlington and Washington areas during the 2006 race.
Fredericksburg officials won't have official data on visitors for at least another month, and a formal study by the University of Mary Washington won't be ready until August, but initial impressions gave the event high marks.
"In my perspective, overall I think everything went extremely well, very smooth," said Kimberly Herbert, the city's conference sales and services specialist. "The partnership [with the Marines] could not have been any better."
City officials reported restaurants were busy--some with long waits--and hotels were heavily booked at least for one night.
"If we weren't 100 percent [full], we were pretty darn close," said Karen Hedelt, the city's tourism development manager.
Kevin Gullette, the city's economic development and tourism director, said that on Saturday downtown Fredericksburg looked like a shopping mall at Christmas.
"It was just jam-packed," he said.
Tourism officials with Stafford and Spotsylvania counties weren't quite as pleased, however.
Their initial chats with hotel managers revealed disappointment in the number of rooms booked for the event, which included activities all weekend.
A little disappointed(posted by
max27
, May 22, 2008 5:46 pm)
I hope this race grows to include more spectators in the future. The residents of College Heights cheered us on in great style, but downtown was like a ghost town. As I turned onto Caroline Street, I was filled with pride and love for my home town. I was soon disappointed looking at the closed businesses, empty store fronts, and the handful of well wishers. Business owners open your eyes and your doors and you'll make more money!
runner knew(posted by
AUTiger2000
, May 22, 2008 12:29 pm)
They did a great job all around. Next year, allow more runners and focus on making sure people know where to seed themselves in the corrals and enforce the no earphones rule. Great race!
Put the Credit Where it is Due(posted by
2much
, May 22, 2008 12:21 pm)
Before the city officials start high-fiving themselves, and slapping Tourism Director on the back, please lets be real about where the credit should be placed. Tom Ballentine and his staff (at the Fred Expo Center) worked tirelessly to attract and plan this event and ones like it. Of course there are a lot of people to thank, but the city manager and city council should extend a hand of thanks to Mr. Ballantine and his team for a job VERY well done.
Need Much Better Advertisng and Public Relations(posted by
Einstein
, May 22, 2008 11:57 am)
Events such as the half marathon need much more visible and effective marketing if they are to be the economic success they could be. An informal poll among friends, family co-workers and colleagues in the local area (DC, NoVa and Richmond-area) were unaware of the event. A few had heard of it but knew no other details. Little to no press coverage before of after the event as well. If Fredericksburg want to be a draw it must invest in better marketing.
Take a lesson from the Marines!(posted by
Rainbow
, May 22, 2008 11:14 am)
The organizers of the other runs downtown should take a lesson from the Marines and how smoothly this was done. What impressed me was just how clearly the route was set and the little impact it had on church services on Sunday morning. Three cheers!
