In today’s meeting, the committee heard how the event was incredibly popular with both runners and spectators, attracting 17,000 people from all over the world, to watch and take part.
Evaluation based on similar events held by key delivery partner The Great Run Company shows the event has equated to a direct economic impact of £1,036,000 and a further indirect economic impact of £860,000.
Promoting Stirling as a centre of sporting excellence on an international stage, the city’s inaugural marathon reached capacity months before the event, with 6,500 people signing up for the 26.2mile run through Stirling city centre and the surrounding countryside in May.
Organisers The Great Run Company have since announced that the event will return for 2018, with a brand new route, taking place on Sunday, 29 April.
Community Planning and Regeneration Committee Convenor Chris Kane said, “This really is fantastic news. From bringing the local community together to celebrate what makes Stirling great, to promoting the city to thousands of new visitors and generating a vast amount of money for our local economy, it’s clear Stirling’s first marathon has brought significant sporting, cultural and economic benefits to the people of Stirling. I look forward to seeing the event return in April 2018 with a new course which will further showcase our iconic city.”