Ragnar Relay 10th anniversary event expected to bring more than $850,000 to Utah economy; $100,000 of impact to local charities

Record crowds of 1,500 teams, 17,500 runners will energize Utah June 20-21, 21-22

Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back will not only will bring record crowds to a running event in Utah this June, but the overnight relay series also will provide both economic and philanthropic impact across the state.

Ten years after its humble beginnings in 2004, the Logan to Park City 200-mile overnight team event is expected to bring more than $800,000 in food, lodging and travel-related revenue to local businesses while also contributing some $100,000 to local organizations and communities.

Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back, the first of 21 overnight team relay races across North America, is expected to include 17,500 participants from some 1,500 teams in 2013. Organizers are thrilled to see such financial impact across Utah.

“We know our participants come together for many different reasons. But along the way, they are helping support local economies all along the course,” said Tanner Bell, co-founder of Ragnar Relay Series. “Between hotels, supporting local restaurants, van rentals and more, it really is a positive impact they create for the region.”

Based on information from previous events, approximately 28 percent of teams stay in hotels leading up to and post race, which generates more than $275,000 in local revenue. Additionally, food purchases both at local restaurants and throughout the course are expected to generate more than $360,000, of which an estimated $40,000 will go towards local nonprofit groups that sell items throughout the course as a fundraiser. The remaining revenue is based on previous data that includes average expenses of automobile and van rentals, gas purchase, and other travel-related activities.

Impacting Local Charities

In addition to the revenue generated for businesses, charity organizations throughout Utah will also reap the benefits of Ragnar Wasatch Back.  Through the company’s Extra Mile Program, which works to contribute dollars and in-kind resources back to communities near races, Ragnar and its corporate partners will contribute more than $100,000 to organizations throughout the Wasatch area. Specific programs that will benefit include:

• Park City Educational Foundation 
• Gold Medal Mile Program
• Wasatch Trail Alliance
• North Summit High School
• South Summit High School
• East Canyon State Park
• Morgan Park –Playground Unit-Riverside Park,Morgan
• Morgan High School
• Various parks along the course.

The 10th Annual Ragnar Wasatch Back run will take place June 20-21 and June 21-22 from Logan to Park City.  For more information about the Wasatch Back 10th Anniversary event visit: http://ragnarrelay.com/race/wasatchback.

Matt Braun

Ragnar Relay Series

414.270.8350

www.ragnarrelay.com

About Ragnar Events

Based in Utah, Ragnar Events, LLC is the largest overnight running relay series in the United States. Traversing inspiring and scenic destinations around the country, these events make testing your limits a team sport. In the Ragnar Relay Series (www.ragnarrelay.com), teams of 12 run a 200-mile relay over two days and one night; in the Ragnar Trail Series (www.ragnartrail.com), teams of 8 run a 120-mile trail relay over the same time span. Participants connect in memorable relationships, conquer a challenge that could not be done alone and celebrate with medals and finish line festivities.   Often called a slumber party without sleep, pillows or deodorant, this unique relay turns out crazy costumes, inside jokes, close quarters and unforgettable stories. Begun as a single relay from Logan to Park City, UT in 2004 by college roommates, Dan Hill and Tanner Bell, now over 200,000 people have run in the Ragnar Relay Series, which boasts 21 races, including Canada, and is growing every year.