The Bank of America Chicago Marathon continues to generate significant impact for the city of Chicago, with the 2018 race contributing a record-breaking $378 million to the city’s economy, a $40 million increase from 2017. This represents the second consecutive year the marathon’s economic impact has exceeded $300 million, which was felt by tourism, hospitality, and business industries across the market. The 41st Bank of America Chicago Marathon saw 45,857 participants, which was an increase from 2017 as noted by the number of participant packets distributed. Of these participants, 29 percent indicated they were international visitors. Each year, the marathon attracts new visitors to Chicago and enhances the image of the city as a leading tourist destination. A recent economic impact study found that the 2018 event directly contributed more than $154 million to the main sectors of the local tourism industry, a nearly 13 percent increase from 2017, in addition to nearly $225 million in indirect activity. This equates to 2,592 jobs and $127 million worth of wages and salary income. The independent study is conducted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Regional Economics Applications Laboratory. Study authors used the Chicago Region Econometric Input-Output Model to estimate the direct and indirect economic impact the marathon has on the local economy. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon kicks off Sunday, October 13 at Grant Park. For more information, please visit www.chicagomarathon.com.