Title
Agreement with Brooksee, Inc. to Host 2025 Phoenix Marathon - (Districts 1, 3, 6 & 8)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into an agreement with Brooksee, Inc. (Brooksee) to produce the Phoenix Marathon in December 2025. There is no financial impact as a result of this request.
Report
Summary
Brooksee, an event producer of marathons and other running races across the country, has been producing race events in the greater Phoenix market since 2022. Brooksee is planning the 2025 Phoenix Marathon with support from Visit Phoenix and the Phoenix Sports & Events Commission. The events are scheduled to take place in Phoenix in December 2025. Brooksee will produce a 26.2 mile full marathon, half marathon and 10K race in the City of Phoenix on December 13, 2025. In addition, a Health and Wellness Expo will take place on December 12, 2025, at the Phoenix Convention Center where all race participants will pick up race credentials and visit exhibitor booths from the running and fitness industry. Phoenix is the largest city in the nation without a signature full marathon running event and Brooksee intends to grow the inaugural Phoenix Marathon to an annual event.
The Phoenix Marathon will have USA Track & Field (USATF) certified courses. USATF is a national governing body for the sports of track and field, cross country running, road running and race walking. As a USATF certified course, the Phoenix Marathon can qualify runners for the prestigious Boston and New York City marathons as well as the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Brooksee is also committed to giving back to the local community. They have a demonstrated history of donating back to local non-profit community organizations in the cities where they operate events. The Phoenix Marathon welcomes athletes of all abilities to their races. All facilities at the event, including start and finish lines, will be Americans with Disabilities Act accessible. They will also look to partner with groups such as Team Hoyt and 2Gether We Live to have athletes of all abilities join in this inaugural event.
Contract Term
The term of the agreement is for one-year.
Financial Impact
This first year event is expected to draw more than 5,000 total participants including 4,000 out-of-town visitors consuming at least 600-800 hotel room nights with an anticipated economic impact of $1.7-$2 million from visitor spending and operations. All official race hotel room blocks will be coordinated through Visit Phoenix and located within the City of Phoenix. The event organizer will be responsible for event-related costs including barricades, Phoenix Police staffing and clean-up along the route so there is no impact to City budget.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Parks and Recreation Board approved this item on November 21, 2024, by a vote of 5-0.
Location
Race courses for the full marathon, half marathon and 10K will traverse through various parts of Phoenix including Districts 1, 3 and 6. The full marathon will start at Deer Valley Towne Center and finish in the area near Papago Park. The proposed race course will utilize city streets and a significant portion of the course will utilize existing trails along the Arizona Canal. In association with the races, a Health and Wellness Expo will take place at the Phoenix Convention Center South Building in District 8.
Council Districts: 1, 3, 6 and 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager John Chan and the Phoenix Convention Center Department.