Economic and Social Impact of Yorkshire Marathon

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Table of Contents
1. Brief Overview of Event, Research Brief and Approach to data Analysis...........................................3
1.1 Overview of the Event.................................................................................................................3
1.2 Research Brief..............................................................................................................................3
1.3 Approach to data analysis............................................................................................................3
2. Presentation of Findings and Analysis...............................................................................................4
3. Conclusion and Recommendations..................................................................................................11
3.1 Recommendations for Yorkshire Marathon Committee............................................................12
1. Brief Overview of Event, Research Brief and Approach to data
Analysis
1.1 Overview of the Event
Yorkshire Marathon was launched in 2013 and today it become the most popular running
event of the world. This event sponsored by Asda foundation was first held in York, UK
(BritishRedcross, 2021). Yorkshire Marathon organizing committee is conducting this event
every year. This research report has assessed the social and economic impact of Yorkshire
Marathon and has provided recommendations to Yorkshire Marathon Committee for how the
social and economic impact of the event can be increased.

1.2 Research Brief

The research study is aimed at measuring the social and economic impact of Yorkshire
Marathon in UK. It is to achieve this aim of the study, the study is aimed at achievement of
the following objectives.

 To assess the economic impact of Yorkshire Marathon on UK.

 To assess the social impact of Yorkshire Marathon on UK.

The research study by assessing the perception of the participants of York Marathon has tried
to explore the social and economic impact of the event on the country. Therefore, interviews
and surveys have been conducted so that real time data for this scenario can be collected.

1.3 Approach to data analysis

Mixed method of research approach is known as the way when both quantitative and
qualitative data is used to conduct the study (Creswell and Hirose, 2019) & (Cresswell,
2013). The study has followed a mixed approach. Therefore, both primary and secondary
data have been used to conduct analysis. As the main focus of the study is to explore the
social and economic impact of Yorkshire Marathon, it is for this purpose primary qualitative
and quantitative data has been collected through survey from 704 respondents. These
respondents have been selected using simple random sampling technique. This technique of
selecting sample is known as the best way of deciding sample when a large population is
available (Acharya et al., 2013), (Snyder, 2019) & (Sharma, 2017). There were two different
methods adopted for the collection of the data. Quantitative data was collected through
survey and to obtain qualitative information, interview method was adopted. It is after
collecting data from the respondents using interview and survey method, the collected data
was first cleaned and sorted to conduct analysis of data using SPSS. After sorting the data in
excel, the data was imported into SPSS to explore new outputs from data. For the analysis of
the data, statistical techniques have been applied to explore output from the quantitative data.
It is by calculating percentage and average, economic impact of Yorkshire has been measured
and on the other hand, thematic analysis method has been adopted to explore required
information from the qualitative data. Thematic analysis is considered as the best method to
conduct analysis of data in case of qualitative information (Clarke et al., 2015) & (Snyder,
2012). Under this thematic analysis approach, themes have been developed from the
information obtained through interviews and based on those themes, the research objectives
have been achieved.

2. Presentation of Findings and Analysis

Economic and Social Impact of Yorkshire Marathon

Overall economic impact of Yorkshire racing is £300.2 million (Whethrby, 2020). This
benefit consists of expenditure occurred by the tourists, income generated through the
employment provided to the people in this industry. It is to have real time estimate of the
economic impact of the Yorkshire Marathon event, a survey has been conducted among the
people who have attended that event and by assessing how much expenditure they have
incurred. Yorkshire Marathon has also promoted social and charitable work that has
increased the benefits for the society (Whethrby, 2020). This survey is also aimed at
assessing the societal benefits provided by Yorkshire Marathon. Following are the results of
the survey indicating the economic and social impact of the Yorkshire Marathon.

Results of Survey

Table 1: Type of Visitors

Frequency Percent
Local 192 26.4
Non
512 70.4
Local
Total 704 96.8
Source: Calculated using SPSS
Table 1 depicts that there are 70.4% non-local visitors in the York Marathon and only 26.4%
local visitors. This data reflects that there are more number of non-local visitors in the York
Marathon.

Table 2: Did you choose to run for Charity?

Frequency Percent
 Yes 601 82.7
No 103 14.2
Total 704 96.8
Source: Calculated using SPSS
Table 2 indicates that there are 82.7% respondents who choose to run for charity and
remaining 14.2% respondents in the survey who did not choose to run for the charity purpose.

Table 3: Scenery: How were the views?

Frequency Percent
Very Good 342 47.0
Good 283 38.9
Average 51 7.0
Poor 25 3.4
Very Poor 3 .4
Total 704 96.8

Source: Calculated using SPSS

Table 3 indicates that 47% respondents in the survey found the scenery very good and 38.9%
respondents found the scenery very good. There are very less number of respondents who
found the scenery very poor.
Table 4: Local Support: Did you supported by cheering crowd?
Frequency Percent
Very Good 333 45.8
Good 271 37.3
Average 64 8.8
Poor 31 4.3
Very Poor 5 .7
Total 704 96.8

Source: Calculated using SPSS

From the table 4, it is clear that 47.3% of respondents get local support and found support
from cheering crowd was very good. 38.5% of respondents get local support and found
support from cheering crowd was good. There were vey less percentage of people that found
very poor local support.
Table 5: Where did you stay before the night of the event?

Frequency Percent
Home- travelled on the day 513 70.6
Hotel 90 12.4
B&B/Airbnb 79 10.9
 With Family & Friends 22 3.0
Total 704 96.8

Source: Calculated using SPSS

Table 5 indicates that 70.6% respondents who visited Yorkshire event stayed at home
because they travelled on the same day. 12.4% of respondents stayed at hotel. 10.9% of
respondents stayed at B&B/Airbnb and 12.4% of respondents stayed with family and friends.
Table 6: How many nights did you stay for?
Frequency Percent

0 513 70.6

1 136 18.7

2 34 4.7

3 9 1.2

4 5 .7

5 3 .4

6 1 .1

7 2 .3

10 1 .1

Total 704 96.8

Source: Calculated using SPSS

Table 6 indicates that 70.6% of respondents in the survey stayed for no night when they
travelled to Yorkshire Marathon. 18.7% of respondents in the survey stayed for one night
when they travelled to Yorkshire Marathon. 4.7% of respondents in the survey stayed for two
nights when they travelled to Yorkshire Marathon. Remaining there were very few number of
respondents that stayed for more number of days.
Table 7: Have you visited York before?
Frequency Percent
Yes 445 61.2
No 67 9.2
Not Applicable 192 26.4
Total 704 96.8

Source: Calculated using SPSS

Table 7 indicates that there are 61.2% respondents that have visited York before and have
again visited the country for this event. There were only 9.2% people that have never visited
the country before.
Table 8: If visiting, how likely would you be to return to the City?

Frequency Percent
 Very Unlikely 3 .4
Unlikely 63 8.7
Neutral 24 3.3
Likely 114 15.7
Very Likely 308 42.4
Not Applicable 192 26.4
Total 704 96.8
Source: Calculated using SPSS
Table 8 indicates the willingness of the respondents to visit the city again for this event. It is
clear that there are 42.6% respondents that are very likely to visit the city again in future and
15.7% of respondents are likely to visit the city again in future. There are very less proportion
of respondents that are unlikely to visit the city again.
Table 9: Recommend York to family or friends

Frequency Percent
Yes 504 69.3
No 8 1.1
Not Applicable 192 26.4
Total 704 96.8
Source: Calculated using SPSS
Table 9 indicates that there are 69.3% respondents who would like to recommend York to
family and friends. There are only 1.1% respondents who do not want to recommend York to
any other individual in their family or friends.
Table 10: How much do you expect to have raised for charity?

Frequency Percent
0 103 14.2
5 7 1.0
10 6 .8
20 10 1.4
25 12 1.7
30 19 2.6
45 35 4.8
50 55 7.6
60 24 3.3
80 35 4.8
85 7 1.0
90 4 .6
100 32 4.4
120 7 1.0
 125 8 1.1
130 1 .1
145 10 1.4
150 15 2.1
180 26 3.6
200 32 4.4
230 5 .7
235 1 .1
240 11 1.5
250 10 1.4
260 1 .1
280 4 .6
300 15 2.1
320 10 1.4
350 7 1.0
400 21 2.9
450 19 2.6
500 13 1.8
650 5 .7
680 7 1.0
700 8 1.1
780 1 .1
800 7 1.0
890 7 1.0
900 6 .8
980 3 .4
1,000 17 2.3
1,005 7 1.0
1,200 5 .7
1,250 11 1.5
1,600 10 1.4
2,000 6 .8
2,300 10 1.4
2,350 12 1.7
4,000 10 1.4
5,000 7 1.0
Total 704 96.8

Table 10 indicates that there are only 14.6% respondents who have not raised any charity at
the Yorkshire Marathon. Remaining all respondents have contributed the amount of charity
as their wish.
Descriptive statistics for the Average spend of the respondents at Yorkshire Marathon
Table 11: Descriptive statistics

N Mean
Accommodation Expenditure
704 40.04
York
Food & Drink Expenditure
704 24.87
York
Petrol Spend York 704 1.69
Taxi Spend York 704 .85
Train Spend York 704 .60
Bus Spend York 704 .16
Shopping Spend York 704 1.99
Entertainment Spend York 704 .94
Tourists Attractions Spend
704 1.38
York
Total 704
Source: Calculated using SPSS

Table 11 depicts that average spend of the respondents on the accommodation is 40.04%.
Average expenditure of the respondents on the food and drink is 24.87%. Respondent spent
only 1.69% on petrol. For taxi, average expenditure of the respondents is 0.85%. For train
purpose, average spend of the respondents is 0.60%. Respondents have spent 0.16% of bus
travelling. It is only 1.99% expenditure occurred on the shopping purpose. There was only
0.94% expenditure created for the entertainment purpose and 1.38% spend was for tourist
attraction. From the analysis of this spend by respondents, it is clear that the major part of the
expenditure by the tourists is on accommodation and food and drink.
The survey depicts that a large number of participants in the survey are non-local
participants.
David (2022) also mentioned that event generate charities through a large number of
international participants. Survey depicts that majority of the expenditure by the tourists is
incurred on the accommodation and food. Hotstats (2022) also stated that Yorkshire
Marathon has increased the revenue of the hotel industry. Martin and Hall (2020) also
mentioned that it is due to Yorkshire Marathon events the demand of hotels in the city have
increased.
Thematic Analysis
This thematic analysis section has highlighted the social impact of Yorkshire Marathon. For
this purpose interviews with three respondents was conducted and social impact assessed
from those interviews is as follows.
  Charity and Societal benefits
Yorkshire is offering nine racecourses under which there are various activities that provides
the social benefits (Wilson, 2020). These social benefits consists of charity race days,
fundraising activities on the day of race and those funds are later on used for the benefits of
the society, providing support to the wide racing industry, arrangement of community
facilities and hosting of community events and provision of sponsorship for the local Charites
(Emma, 2020). Survey conducted for the present research also states that majority of the
respondents have contributed for charity purpose. It reflects that Yorkshire events are
promoting charity through these events are helping the needy people.
Racing welfare is a welfare charity that is mainly focused on the well-being of the people
who are currently working and have been retired from horseracing industry (Martin, 2022). It
is by providing financial assistance and housing to the people, this event helps in relieving
these people from poverty, sickness and injuries. The event is also supporting the education
of the children of people working in this industry. New beginning is also working as a charity
that is working for looking after the horses that cannot be look after by their owners (Martin,
2022).
 Employment opportunities
From the interviews, it has been assessed that Yorkshire Marathon is attracting a large
number of businesses where various people are getting employment. In this way, this event is
highly contributing in uplifting the living standard of the people (Papanikos, 2015). It has
also been assessed in the survey that people are highly spending in hotels, food and
accommodation. It indicates that there are large opportunities for the expansion of food
business and hotel industry.
 Hygiene and Safety
It is through interview with one of the interviewer, it has been found that there is lack of
hygiene and safety at the place that restrict a large number of respondents to visit the events.
In an interview, it has been explored that the coffee café in the event was near the toilet that
was very unhygienic and there were around 30 people sipping their coffee at that place. A big
crowd at the place makes the event frustrating due to crowd for a large number of people. But
in another interview, it has also been assessed that it is due to event, the streets of the York
are cleaner as compared to the usual days. Survey has also assessed that majority of the
respondents are attracted towards the York because of the scenery. They like to visit the city
again and again because of beautiful scenery there. It indicates that Yorkshire Marathon is
providing clean city environment as well.
  Upskilling the volunteers
From the interview, it has been assessed that volunteers at Yorkshire Marathon are also
getting skilled by participating in the events and by having interactions with the people from
international level. In this way, this event is also upskilling the volunteers by providing them
expanded platform. Though there are very less number of people in survey who are
participating for charity purpose, yet, it can be said that people who are participating whether
for charity or non-charity purpose are improving their skills through this event (CRESR,
2011).
 Increasing tourism in the city
Yorkshire Marathon event has already contributed for increasing tourism in the city, but the
survey also indicates that people who have participated in the survey are also willing to again
visit the city in the future (Papanikos, 2015). Majority of the respondents in the survey have
also recommended coming to Yorkshire Marathon to their friends. It reflects that this event is
also going to invite a large number of tourists in the coming years in this city.

3. Conclusion and Recommendations

The research concludes that Yorkshire Marathon event has various social and economic
impacts for the city. It is through survey and interview, it has been explored that a large
number of people visiting the event are international people. The people who have visited the
York once like to visit it again because of the beautiful scenery of the city. It indicates the
expectation of increasing tourism for these events. The study showing high expenditure by
tourists on accommodation and food. It reflects that there would be high growth of hotel
industry in this city in coming years, but as the interview has also assessed the negative
impact on this increasing tourism on the hygiene and safety, it is essential for the Yorkshire
Marathon Committee to make efforts for maintaining the sustainability of the event. Interest
of the people in scenery and tourism event has also been reflected through the survey and it
also reflects that they are interested in recommending coming to Yorkshire Marathon to their
friends and family. From this study, it is expected that this Yorkshire Marathon event would
increase tourism and is also going to increase economic benefits. Besides this, it is also
required for Yorkshire Marathon Committee to be aware for maintaining social benefits to
maintaining the sustainability of the event for the long run. The survey also indicates that
there is very less spend by people on bus, train and taxi. It reflects that people are hardly
making use of public transport for coming to the event. Use of personal cars not only
increases the traffic at the event city but also increases pollution. The Yorkshire Marathon
Committee also need to take action on this to resolve such issues. The study has also shown
that Yorkshire Marathon has various social benefits such as uplifted status of the people in
the city, employment opportunities to the people and upskilled the volunteers. In this way,
this event has increased social benefits for the people living in that city.

3.1 Recommendations for Yorkshire Marathon Committee

 The committee should advise all local and non-local tourists to share the cars while
coming to the event. It would not only reduce their cost but would also help in
reducing the pollution level.

 It is also advised for Yorkshire Marathon Committee to enhance the use of recycled
products for selling products at the event. It would help in maintaining sustainability
of the environment.

 In the survey, it has been assessed that people are spending a large part on
accommodation. Yorkshire Marathon Committee should work for providing discounts
to the travellers coming for this event. It would help in increasing stay of tourists in
the city for longer days that would be beneficial for the economic aspect. In survey, it
has been assessed that majority of people are staying in the city for one day. If the
accommodation would be provided at the lesser cost, it would help in increasing the
expenditure of the customers on other areas such as shopping, food and tourism
activities. It would help in increasing more economic benefits.
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Appendix
Manual Coding for Thematic Analysis

Theme Author Finding Reference

(Wilson Yorkshire is offering nine Wilson, I. 2020. The Economic
Charity
and , 2020) racecourses under which there are and Social Impact of Racing in

Societal various activities that provides Yorkshire.

benefits the social benefits. https://shura.shu.ac.uk/29299/8/

impact-of-horseracing-in-
yorkshire.pdf

(Emma, Charity race days, fundraising Emma. 2020. Horse racing’s

2020) activities on the day of race and £300.2 million economic impact
those funds are later on used for on Yorkshire,
the benefits of the society, https://www.catterickbridge.c
providing support to the wide o.uk/News/ArtMID/451/Articl
racing industry, arrangement of eID/23279/Horse-Racing
community facilities and hosting %E2%80%99s-1633002-
of community events and Million-Economic-Impact-on-
provision of sponsorship for the Yorkshire
local Charites.
(Martin Racing welfare is a welfare Martin, S. 2022. Yorkshire
, 2022). charity that is mainly focused on runners raise funds for mental
the well-being of the people who health research,
are currently working and have https://www.york.ac.uk/news-
been retired from horseracing and-events/news/2022/communi
industry. ty/yorkshire-runners-to-raise-
funds-for-mental-health/

(Papani Attracting a large number of Papanikos, G., 2015. The

Employ
ment kos, businesses where various people economic effects of a marathon

opportu 2015) are getting employment. as a sport tourism event. Athens

nities Journal of Sports, 1(225),

pp.225-240.
 (CRES Participation for charity or non-
Upskillin
g the R, charity purpose are improving

voluntee 2011) their skills through this event

rs

(Papani Large number of tourist are Papanikos, G., 2015. The

Increasi
ng kos, coming to city economic effects of a marathon

toursim 2015) as a sport tourism event. Athens

Journal of Sports, 1(225),
pp.225-240.