Runners could be boon to area economy

OC Marathon race director says event, set for Sunday, could bring in $10 million -- mostly for restaurants, hotels.The race director for the Orange County marathon said the event could infuse as much as $10 million into the local economy.

Though Newport Beach officials have not calculated revenue estimates for the marathon, City Manager Homer Bludau anticipates the event could be a significant moneymaker in the future.

“It certainly has the potential to. It’s in the early stages here,” Bludau said. “We think that there’s a substantial opportunity for our restaurants and also our hotels.”

The second running of the OC Marathon is scheduled for Sunday. The race begins in Newport Beach near Fashion Island and concludes in Irvine. Race director Bill Sumner said he anticipates the event could generate $8 to $10 million for Newport Beach’s and Irvine’s economies.

The first OC Marathon was held in December 2004. In Sumner’s estimation, runners and spectators could spend a lot more money this time around. He figures the economic effect of the first race was along the lines of $4.5 million.