NYC Marathon Benefits ... How Local Runners Are Affected

Catching up on a few things, but wanted to comment on this article in the NYTimes the other day on how the NYC Marathon benefits the city.

*Runners from overseas spend $2,647 per person and stay 5.7 days on average
*Runners from elsewhere in the United States but outside New York — an additional 20 percent of the participants — spend $1,585 on average and bring 3.8 guests with them.

Looking at those stats: If you live in NYC, don't bet on the lottery to get in the marathon. Run the 9+1 program. Unless you're willing to fund-raise, run really fast, or pay megabucks, odds are you won't get in otherwise.