Visitor growth at Marathonmall 2010 confirms continuing success

Marathonmall, the sporting goods fair that is traditionally held on the Frankfurt exhibition grounds to coincide with the Commerzbank Frankfurt Marathon, came to an end on Sunday, 31 October 2010. The “shopping mile” for amateur and professional athletes and for sports and fitness enthusiasts of all ages attracted some 46,000 visitors this year (2009: approx. 45,000). This result once again confirms that the event has gone from strength to strength in recent years. With its promise of “shopping, sport, fun and expert advice”, Marathonmall 2010 featured 112 exhibitors, including the market leaders in the sports sector and a stimulating programme of events combining sporting highlights and information.

At the end of the event, the vast majority of providers were full of praise, particularly for the agreeable event atmosphere and the interest from visitor target groups. Bernd Gröne, event manager at Runners Point sports shoe store, Recklinghausen: “Marathonmall showed that marathon trade fairs are a worthwhile investment – Runners Point succeeded in topping its sales figures for 2009. Bernhard Ehrl, who owns an orthopaedic shoe specialist store in Bad Soden, confirmed the positive mood at Marathonmall 2010: “We are very pleased with this year’s event and were able to match the successful outcome we had in 2009. The overall need for advice and information has risen, but people are also willing to spend money again.” Above all, Bernhard Ehrl feels that visitors are interested in new developments such as compression materials for sportswear.

Georg-Günther Kruse, Vice President of Guest Events at Messe Frankfurt, adds: “We are delighted that the event is continuing to attract the same high number of exhibitors and visitors as in previous years. Once again, with our attractive supporting programme, we were able to offer sporting incentives, interactive activities and an event atmosphere for the whole family.”

For instance, local Frankfurt sports clubs, dance groups and other institutions generated interest in a variety of sports with a wide range of presentations from football show training and martial arts to modern dance, acrobatics and a BMX flatland show. Marathonmall also featured prominent sporting guests such as Olympic gold-winning triathlete Jan Frodeno and top marathon runner Falk Cierpinski. This year, local sports authority “Sportamt Frankfurt” focused on women’s football, providing information about the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 in Germany and prompting a high level of interest.

Other popular crowd attractions were the bouncy castle, the bungee trampoline and the VGF “Girls Wanted” Marathon Cup soccer tournament. Cheered on by parents and fans, a total of 139 girls between eight and seventeen competed in their respective age groups. However, the most applause was reserved for the young athletes who received their certificates for taking part in the mini-marathon and the special “Struwwelpeter” race for 5- to 9-year-olds.

Next year, Marathonmall is scheduled to take place from 28 to 30 October 2011 in Hall 1, Level 2 of the Frankfurt exhibition grounds. More information is available at www.marathonmall.de.