Rock 'n' Roll Marathon generates millions for Triangle economy

More than 18,074 visitors came to Raleigh from outside Wake County for marathon festivities, and the event filled 7,444 room nights for Raleigh hotels. 

"The numbers are even better than we had originally estimated. The economic impact and the tax collection validates what we thought all along, that the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series would be a wonderful event for Raleigh and that it would provide our community with a major economic boost," Scott Dupree, executive director of the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, said in a statement. 

Prior to the event, local vendors made about $140,000 at the Health and Fitness Expo at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Nearly 11,000 people participated in the race, and 10,229 crossed the finish line of either the half-marathon or marathon, officials said. Runners came from 49 different states and eight different countries to pound the pavement through Raleigh.

"With more than 50 percent of the participants coming from out of town, the economic impact study confirms the value of this new event for Raleigh and its potential to draw new visitors to the city," Dana Allen, SVP of Competitor Group, operator of the event, said in a statement.

The event was also a boon for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Four hundred sixty-five "Team V" participants raised more than $300,000 for the foundation running either the half or full marathon.

Registration for the 2015 event opened in May, and the race will be held on April 12, 2015.

"We are delighted with our partnership with the Rock 'n' Roll team, and we are already looking forward to Rock 'n' Roll Raleigh 2015," Dupree said.