I Ran the NYC Marathon to Find Out How Marathons Make Money

Summary

In this video, the creator documents their journey toward running the 2024 New York City Marathon, exploring the immense planning, sponsorships, and logistics involved in the world’s largest marathon. From the nonprofit New York Road Runners managing the race to the significant financial investments from sponsors like Tata Consultancy Services and New Balance, the video delves into the marathon's impact on both the city and its participants. Alongside the personal training struggles and triumphs, the creator reflects on their role as a charity runner and interacts with professional athletes, offering viewers an insider’s look at the marathon world.

Takeaways

• 😀 A year ago, the speaker set a goal to run the 2024 New York City Marathon, despite not being a runner initially.
• 😀 Training for the marathon is difficult and involves significant physical and logistical challenges.
• 😀 The New York City Marathon is the largest marathon in the world, requiring immense planning and resources.
• 😀 The New York Road Runners organization is responsible for all marathon operations, including permits, logistics, and city coordination.
• 😀 The New York City Marathon's expenses, including logistics, city services, and event costs, totaled $98 million in the previous year.
• 😀 Sponsorship plays a major role in financing the marathon, with companies like Tata Consulting Services and New Balance providing significant support.
• 😀 Tata Consulting Services, the marathon's title sponsor, has contributed substantially to the event and seen a boost in brand value since becoming involved.
• 😀 The city of New York invests significant resources into ensuring the marathon route is safe, including the Department of Transportation and emergency services.
• 😀 The marathon's total economic impact on New York City is estimated at around $500 million, benefiting local businesses and tourism.
• 😀 Charity runners are a key part of the marathon, with many participants raising millions for causes like Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City.
• 😀 Professional athletes, like Olympic marathoner Dakotah Lindwurm, rely on marathons for their career earnings, through sponsorships, prize pools, and appearance fees.

Q & A

What motivated the creator to run the 2024 New York City Marathon?

The creator set a goal a year ago to run the 2024 New York City Marathon, despite not being a runner. They wanted to challenge themselves, learn about marathons, and create content to share the journey.

What are some of the challenges involved in training for a marathon?

Training for a marathon is tough, involving a significant amount of time, physical effort, and learning. The creator emphasizes the difficulty of getting faster and building endurance, as well as the overwhelming scale of organizing such a large event.

How does New York Road Runners handle the logistics of the marathon?

New York Road Runners (NYRR) plans the marathon two years in advance, coordinating with local agencies, city services, and volunteers. They also manage key logistics like securing roadways and setting up venues, while working on communications with participants.

What is the financial scale of the New York City Marathon?

The New York Road Runners spent around $98 million in 2023 to organize the marathon. The event brings in significant revenue through entry fees, sponsorships, and donations, with TCS contributing a major portion through sponsorships.

What are some of the major sponsorships for the marathon?

The marathon is sponsored by several big companies, with Tata Consulting Services (TCS) being the largest, contributing $40 million annually. Other sponsors include New Balance, Tiffany, and Shake Shack, who provide gear, prizes, and other contributions.

Why does TCS sponsor the New York City Marathon?

TCS views sponsoring the marathon as an investment in both the local community and global brand recognition. Their sponsorship helps them increase brand value, which grew from $3 billion to $19 billion since starting the partnership.

How does the city of New York contribute to the marathon's success?

The city plays a crucial role in ensuring the marathon runs smoothly. Various departments, like the Department of Transportation, Parks, and Sanitation, are involved in route preparation, security, and cleanup. The city also works with the NYPD and EMS for safety.

How do charity runners contribute to the marathon?

Charity runners make up about a quarter of the participants, with 14,000 spots allocated to charitable organizations. These charity runners raise over $50 million annually, supporting causes like Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City.

What role do professional athletes play in marathons?

Professional athletes, such as Olympic marathon runner Dakotah Lindwurm, rely on marathons as their primary income source, earning money from sponsorships, performance bonuses, and appearance fees. Their participation also helps elevate the event’s prestige.

How does the creator approach their marathon training, and what goals do they have?

The creator sets a goal to finish the marathon in under five hours, working on improving their pace and endurance during long training runs. They document their experiences to learn more about marathons and share the journey with their audience.