Marathonmall 2009 again ends with increased attendance!
Audiences delighted by running, wellness and fitness.

Frankfurt, Germany. On Sunday, October 25, 2009, the Marathonmall sporting goods fair, which traditionally accompanies the Commerzbank Frankfurt Marathon, ended. From the very beginning the Frankfurt „shopping mile“ with its motto “Shopping, Sports, Fun and Expert Advice” was forecast to be a successful event.
For the first time, Germany’s oldest city marathon was upgraded to „Gold-Label“ level by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), featuring top athletes and a new event record of more than 20,000 registered runners. Marathonmall matched the pace and again, for the sixth year in succession, registered an attendee increase with more than 44.000 visitors over 43,000 in 2008.
Endurance sports, wellness and fitness for young and old are the ongoing topics of Marathonmall that regularly takes place at the Frankfurt Exhibition Grounds. This year 120 vendors presented a larger and more varied array of products than ever before, including a broad range of walking and running shoes, functional wear and useful accessories. Additionally, accessories for other sports as well consulting and products for training, nutrition, medicine, wellness and travel were offered. The organizer, Messe Frankfurt Ausstellungen GmbH, had also again prepared a diverse entertainment program with shows to watch and fun and games to join.

The mall vendors were highly satisfied with the outcome of the event: “The Commerzbank Frankfurt Marathon was a tremendous success“, many of them commented. „Visitors this year were more price-minded, but also focussed on taking advantage of professional advice, of information on new trends, to shop and to check out the latest in products featured at the mall.“ Furthermore, the entertainment program proved to be successful in introducing children to sports in a playful way.

From Saturday on, the mile was buzzing with activity. Long waiting lines could be observed At booths with physical analyses and health checks. Professional as well as hobby-runners received advice on what to look for in shoes and running apparel. Many visitors took the opportunity to find new products, to have a massage or to test the effectiveness of kinesiology taping. At one point even the alcohol-free Bavarian beer was temporarily sold out. An inflatable castle, a bungee trampoline and award ceremonies for the Mini-Marathoners made the hall tremble and the noise level crescendo.

There was also a lot of excitement at the VGF girls soccer match „Girls Wanted“. Teams came from as far away as Lake Constance and the state of Thuringia to participate. Families and fans of players in three age groups enthusiastically cheered them on. Aside from their considerable kicking talent, the girls’ witty team names such as „Wild Lake-Chicks“ or their personally designed jerseys featuring feathers added to the fun. With contributions such as cheerleading, football and foot-bag shows as well as capoeira, jazz and street-dance performances, younger and older members from various sport clubs spread a general sporty atmosphere among the extremely enthused audience.

Marathonmall 2010 (www.marathonmall.de) will take place on the last weekend of October (October 29-31, 2010).

The Marathonmall is organised by Messe Frankfurt Ausstellungen GmbH:

Messe Frankfurt Ausstellungen GmbH

Taunusstraße 7a

65183 Wiesbaden

Tel.: +49 (0)611-951660

Fax : +49 (0)611-9516625

www.marathonmall.de

www.mfa.de