The endurance athletes who ran up two mountains in Roanoke's first marathon in 24 years brought with them $350,000 in economic activity, event organizers said.

The Blue Ridge Marathon on the Parkway helped generate revenue for hotels, restaurants and retailers when it was held over the last weekend in April, organizers said.

The economic study was the first glimpse of the event's financial and marketing impact on the region. Event organizers said Tuesday that the 942 participating runners traveled from 34 states and England and in a post-race survey reported a high satisfaction rate of 99 percent. They cited the attractive course, amenities and community support.

"This is really good for Roanoke's self-esteem," said Pete Eshelmen, the race's co-chairman and director of outdoor branding for the Roanoke Regional Partnership. "It's a really fun event for everyone to get behind and be a part of."

The race raised about $150,000 and cost about $120,000 to organize, Eshelmen said. Perhaps a more tangible outcome of the event was a $20,000 donation that was presented at a news conference Tuesday to the Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a nonprofit group.

The group plans to use the money to fund outdoor activities such as junior rangers, children's fishing and music programs in five areas on the parkway: Humpback Rocks, Peaks of Otter, Roanoke Campground, Mabry Mill and the Blue Ridge Music Center.

The marathon is "drawing attention to the world about our valley having this great outdoors, with the backdrop being the Blue Ridge Parkway," said Susan Mills, executive director of Friends.

Next year, the marathon's 26.2-mile course will include a longer stretch in the Roanoke Valley Greenway system and may include one more significant hill in an already difficult race that features more than 3,000 feet in elevation gain.

Organizers said they expect twice as many participants to register for next year's event, which has been slated for April 16.

"Of course, this helps the local business folks," said Wayne Strickland, executive director of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, which prepared the economic study. "But another thing is it exposes us to other people outside of the region who will come back to visit or -- even better -- come live here or open a business here."