Page 6 - ARUBA TODAY

A6 U.S. NEWS
Monday 3 april 2017

Marathoners aren’t miserly: They’ll spend $192M in Boston

spectators from around the lion projection is $30 mil-
world. lion that runners will raise to
“People want to be a part benefit dozens of charities.
of something that Olympi- And the Boston Marathon’s
ans run in,” said Rich Harsh- economic impact is steadi-
barger, CEO of Running ly growing. Last year’s race
USA, a nonprofit group that generated $188.8 million,
promotes the sport. and the 2015 race brought
“You’re not going to be in $182 million, the Associa-
able to run the bases at tion said.
Fenway. But at a big mara- Patrick Moscaritolo, presi-
thon, you get to line up and dent and CEO of the
have the same experience Greater Boston Convention
that the pros do,” he said. & Visitors Bureau, calls race
It’s an affluent bunch: Run- weekend “an extraordi-
ning USA’s latest national nary kick start” for the tour-
survey, done in 2015, found ist season.
that more than seven in Other races that are part
10 marathon runners earn of the World Marathon Ma-
more than $75,000 a year, jors — a series that includes
and most are college grad- Berlin, Boston, Chicago,
uates. London, New York City and
Many in the field for the Tokyo — have an even big-
In this April 18, 2016 photo, runners approach the finish line of the 120th Boston Marathon in Boston. Boston Marathon on April ger haul.
Organizers of the 2017 race said the April 17 event will pump more than $192 million into the local 17 will bring their families The TCS New York City Mar-
economy, including $30 million for dozens of charities.
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa) along. Another 10,000 run- athon says its economic
ners will descend on Boston impact in 2014, the most re-
for a sister 5K race, swell- cent year for which figures
WILLIAM J. KOLE throw down money to run lion into the local econo- ing not only the size of the were available, was $415
Associated Press Boston than go to Cancun my. crowds but the amount million. The Bank of Ameri-
BOSTON (AP) — Training for or Europe or some other That’s the equivalent of spent on hotels, restau- ca Chicago Marathon had
the Boston Marathon has travel destination.” $311 for every man, wom- rants, transportation and an estimated $277 million
left Tommy Race feeling Race (Yes, that’s his real an and child living in the a weekend running expo impact in 2015, organizers
spent. His bank account, name: “It’s why I got into city of Boston. hawking expensive gear say. Getting to the start line
too: Race’s Boston adven- running”) has plenty of Sports industry experts say and swag. is expensive, “but it’s worth
ture will cost about $2,000. company. Thirty-thousand Boston’s payout is part of “Nearly everyone involved every penny,” said Malin-
“It’s a lot of money, but athletes from 94 coun- a lucrative global trend ... will patronize local busi- da Ann Hill, bereavement
it’s also a vacation,” said tries will participate in this that’s been playing out in nesses,” said Tom Grilk, coordinator for Children’s
Race, a high school math month’s 121st running of Chicago, New York, Lon- CEO of the Boston Athletic Hospital of Philadelphia,
teacher from Bellingham, America’s most venerable don and other cities that Association, which manag- who’s running her first Bos-
Washington. “For a runner footrace, and organizers stage major marathons es the marathon. ton together with her twin
like myself, I’d much rather say they’ll pump $192 mil- drawing competitors and Included in the $192.2 mil- sister. q

Maine wants US help to prevent lobster trade gap with Canada

PATRICK WHITTLE of tariffs on Canadian lob- tariffs would make it hard “I’m very concerned that it remains to be seen how
Associated Press ster exports to the 28-na- to compete with Canada, Canada’s agreement with the government could get
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — tion bloc. That would give American lobster exporters the European Union could involved to level the play-
As a trade deal between Canada a huge advan- said. In Maine, where most hurt the lobster industry ing field. The U.S. Depart-
the European Union and tage over the United States of America’s lobster catch here in Maine by placing ment of Commerce, which
Canada nears completion, in sending some coveted comes to shore, Gov. Paul us at a competitive disad- handles issues related to
politicians in Maine want seafood products over- LePage and all four mem- vantage,” said Rep. Chellie seafood trade, did not
the federal government to seas. EU nations imported bers of the congressional Pingree, a Democrat. “It’s respond to a request for
find a way to prevent the more than $150 million delegation are putting important that President comment. But one solu-
U.S. from landing in a major in lobster from America pressure on the federal Trump’s administration un- tion could be by brokering
trade disadvantage over last year, and took more government to intervene. derstands how critical this a deal similar to the Can-
a valuable, and tasty, re- than $190 million Cana- LePage, a Republican, has situation is in its own trade ada-European Union pact,
source — lobsters. dian (US$143 million) from called for a meeting with negotiations with the Euro- which has EU approval and
The Canada-European Canada. The combination Trump administration offi- pean Union.” Members of is nearing finalization in the
Union deal would get rid of a strong U.S. dollar and cials on the issue. the Maine delegation said Parliament of Canada.q