The Perceived Impacts of Non-Mega Sporting Events among Host Residents: A Pre-Post Analysis of the Kobe Marathon
This study aimed to examine whether residents perceived impacts related to non-mega sporting events (NMSE) varied in overall attitude and event support between pre-event and post-event. In order to verify the impacts of NMSE, this study used the framework of triple bottom line, which was classified impacts as economic, socio-cultural, and environmental. Data collection was conducted one month prior to the Kobe Marathon (October 1-16, 2014) and one and a half months after the Kobe Marathon (January 8-27, 2015). Of the 1,080 municipal advisors were asked to participate in the pre-survey, 550 completed the questionnaire. Of the 1,059 municipal advisors that were also asked to participate in post-survey, 466 returned the questionnaire. The results showed that positive socio-cultural impact and economic impact are perceived to improve the overall attitude toward the Kobe Marathon and event support for the Kobe Marathon pre- and post-survey. The results also indicated that positive overall attitude toward the Kobe Marathon improves residents’ support for NMSE before and after this event. The results presented evidence that residents have a clear awareness of the event impacts on overall attitude toward the Kobe Marathon and possess greater support for the event after, rather than before.