MILLINOCKET, Maine — Around two weeks ago, the Millinocket Marathon and Half came to a close, and event organizers said its effect can still be felt in the Katahdin region.
The Maine Sports Commission estimated that based on the number of runners, the event gave Millinocket businesses a boost of around $878,000, race director Gary Allen said.
It's a significant success story for a race that started in 2015 with just 54 runners. Now the Millinocket Marathon and Half receives national attention and is a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon, according to Allen.
Race organizers held a celebration on Thursday and passed out checks from the money that race participants raised just through donations.
Officials said that money supports nonprofits around Millinocket.