The Economic Benefits of Mountain Running The Pike's Peak Marathon

This paper reports willingness to pay for a trip to participate in the Pikes Peak Marathon as estimated by travel cost analysis of published 1981 to 1984 race results. Stratification of the demand function by gender, ascent vs. round trip race, and Colorado residency produces significant differences. According to the results, value is higher for Colorado non-residents than for residents, and for the round trip race than for the ascent race. Overall, the estimated average net willingness to pay is about $50.00 per person, and varies from about $20.00 for resident participants in the ascent race to $130.00 for nonresident participants in the round trip race.