Georgia Marathon
The first running of the ING Georgia Marathon and Half-Marathon, in Atlanta GA, attracted 13,479 finishers last year, making it the second largest inaugural race of its kind (P.F. Chang's Rock 'n Roll Arizona, in Phoenix AZ, tallied 23,456 finishers in 2004).
Organizers signed sponsors with Georgia ties, gained the support of local government leaders, and recruited numerous spectators for "cheering zones" along the course.
Atlanta has a history of large events (Peachtree Classic routinely attracts more than 40,000 runners) and hosting of the International Olympic Games.
Still, producing such a large race is always a challenge. To continue its growth, the event intends to market more heavily to international runners.
No matter how many or how few runners your race attracts, develop a strategy to address each activity that will grow your event. Be realistic and strategic, and focus on the types of runners most likely to participate.