windy at Chambers Bay wrote:
My early thought as I continue to thaw out from Saturday is that it probably won't affect it too much one way or the other. I think that location is the main factor on participation. Accommodations, and rental cars may be a little more expensive, but World XC isn't the Super Bowl. It will draw participants and some hardcore running fans, but not huge out-of-town crowds. I'm excited to be going back to a mild weather venue where I won't freeze my butt off.
I don't think the WA XC race nor the club championships will create a blip on the Tallahassee tourist/events calendar. Any FSU football game probably brings in more out-of-towners than this event will. The first will probably have 500 athletes another 200 managers, coaches etc. 1,000 spectators? Will folks come down from Atlanta? Is Jax a hotbed of distance running? Many of those same spectators will run in the club XC race, so I can't imagine too many more for the Sunday race. Total to 'swarm' Tallahassee would be 2,000? 2,500?
What does an FSU football game bring in (in terms of guests)? The stadium capacity will go to 70,000 in 2025 (had renovations in 2024). Even if 10% are staying in hotels that is 7,000. No way the XC event does that number.
Having said all that, I am sure the nearby hotels will jack up the prices.