Try to wrap your head around this figure $170 million. That’s how much money the Chicago Marathon produces in a single year. With 45,000 entrants a year and an uncountable amount of spectators, one thing is for sure: The Chicago Marathon sure draws a crowd, and with that crowd comes consumer dollars. Over 245 endorsed marathons are run across the U.S. every year and companies see the potential for marketing their unique marathon promotional products to both the runners participating in the marathons and the people in the crowds that come to cheer them on.
Large events such as marathons give businesses the opportunity to play a participatory role in the exciting environment of a race event. While some companies can advertise during televised races, others prefer to be on the ground and in the mix of things for the chance to promote their products. Whether these are marathon products or unique promotional products targeting a wide variety of consumers, companies find a way to promote their product on and around the runners. Sponsored contestants are splashed with logos that will remind consumers of constant branding before, during, and after the marathon event.
Many sponsors are promoting unique marathon promotional products or other products for runners and hope to receive enhanced exposure by good finish times, wins, and television airplay of the race. Marathons are often sponsored by a large company and non-professional runners will be allowed to wear a singlet, shorts, or race number that displays the sponsoring company’s logo on the contestant. Anything is fair game: from banners on over passes, to signs placed at the finish line, to paintings on the pavement, marketers have done it all when it comes to promoting at marathons. Even on the sidelines companies can be found with unique promotional products.
Whether they are a fitness or exercise related company or not, marketers often choose to display marathon related products. Unique promotional products open the door to discussion among sellers and potential buyers in the crowd. The combination of unique promotional and marathon related products is very effective at events like marathons, as these products can be seen in use on runners. Promoting a company during marathons is big business and there are plenty of opportunities to do so. Whether a big company or a small family business, using unique promotional products at marathons and other running events is sure to attract your future customers.