Challenge

The Delaware Nation (DN) was awarded a grant to explore the feasibility of hosting a Boston Qualifying Marathon designed to attract thousands of tourists and boost the local economy. The event, named The Seven Tribe Marathon (hereafter referred to as “the Marathon”), aims to celebrate the rich heritage of the regional Tribes while providing a significant economic opportunity for the surrounding community.

DN’s primary objective in pursuing this event is to improve the quality of life for its members by generating increased revenues, creating employment opportunities for Delaware Nation citizens, and stimulating broader economic activity in the region through tourism.

Process

Capacity was engaged to assess the economic viability of hosting a Boston Qualifying Marathon. Our role was to offer insights into the operational requirements, implementation strategies, and potential costs and benefits associated with organizing and hosting the event on an annual basis.

To provide a comprehensive evaluation, Capacity Consulting, Inc.:

• Collected and organized data from the Delaware Nation, ensuring an accurate understanding of community goals and challenges.
• Conducted interviews with key community stakeholders to gather insights and identify local support.
• Analyzed the market for sports tourism and race event consumer behavior, using secondary competitive analysis case studies to identify best practices, marketing strategies, event types, and economic impacts.
• Evaluated the infrastructure and hospitality sectors of the host municipality to assess location viability for such a large-scale event.
• Consulted with industry experts and governing agencies to understand race parameters and requirements.
• Used U.S. Department of Commerce regional economic multipliers to forecast the event’s economic spin-off benefits.
• Engaged with key organizations such as the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.), USA Track & Field, and the Association for International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) to determine race qualifications and additional requirements.

Recommendations

Capacity provided Delaware Nation with the confidence and strategic direction needed to move forward with hosting a major marathon event. In its early years, the event is expected to primarily attract avid athletes focused on achieving personal best times. However, with the Nation’s commitment to following Capacity’s marketing recommendations and consistently hosting the event each year, there is significant potential for the Marathon to grow and build a loyal following.

Our Business Plan outlines a clear, step-by-step action plan to help the Delaware Nation successfully host the event, ensuring that each stage is manageable and designed to lay the foundation for future growth. With careful planning and continued investment, the Seven Tribe Marathon has the potential to become a significant annual event, bringing long-term benefits to both the Delaware Nation and the surrounding community.