Economic impacts of Ultra-Trail Australia 2024
This report estimates the economic impacts on the Blue Mountains economy from spending by trail runners who attended Ultra-Trail Australia (UTA) by UTMB in May 2024.
Articles written by leading NZ economist about Sport and recreation
Redemption in Heidelberg, after UTMB illness
I was thrilled to nab a podium in an ultra-trail race in Germany, with a 2nd place finish in the 50km (with 2,100m of climbing) Heidelberg Long Distance Trail Marathon.
Economic impacts of The WILD on the Queenstown Lakes economy
This report estimates the economic impacts on the Queenstown Lakes economy from spending by trail runners who attended the WILD’s inaugural 2023 pioneers’ edition.
Feasibility study: Economic impacts of extending the Otago Central Rail ...
Benje Patterson estimated the potential use and economic impacts of a proposed Taieri Gorge extension to the Otago Central Rail Trail. An extension would give opportunities for bikers or walkers to travel between Middlemarch and Taieri, allowing for easy access from Dunedin with its large population and range of supporting visitor amenities.
Arapuke Forest Bike Park attracts $5.0 million to Manawatū
Arapuke Forest Park is a key drawcard for mountain bikers to Palmerston North and Manawatū District. In 2022, there was $5.0 million of spending in the region that was attributable to visitors for whom biking in Arapuke Forest was a key motivation for the visit.
Third in international 100 mile ultra race
I have just returned from a third-place finish at the Brisbane Trail Ultra 100-mile race on the Spartan Trail World Championships tour.
Biking in Dunedin production forests a $16.7m drawcard
There was $16.7 million of spending in Dunedin during 2022 that was attributable to visitors for whom biking in the city's production forests was a key motivation for the visit.
Interview: Mountain biking in production forests
I recently appeared on Radio New Zealand's The Panel to discuss the $291 million spent by bike tourists to New Zealand's production forests in 2022.
Bike tourism in production plantation forests worth $291 million
At least $291 million was spent by bike tourists who cycled through New Zealand’s production plantation forests in 2022. The top regions for production forest bike tourism are Rotorua, Auckland, Queenstown, Dunedin, and Christchurch, followed by Wanaka, Nelson Tasman, Taranaki, Taupō, and Coromandel.
Fifth place in a world series event
My journey into the world of elite ultrarunning continued recently, with a 5th place finish at the Ultra-Trail Australia (UTA) 100km race (including 4,400m of vertical gain) on the UTMB world series. For me, this result felt a bit like a breakout performance.
International biking spotlight: Deschutes National Forest, Oregon
Benje Patterson has recently investigated the economic impacts of biking in plantation forests in New Zealand. As part of this research, an international case study from Deschutes National Forest in Oregon, United States was presented.
The ultra running economist
My professional focus is on regional economics, with many projects looking at the role of recreation and leisure activities on our local economies. What many of you probably don’t know is that work is deeply personal for me, and I moonlight as an aspiring ultra runner in 100 mile races.