Abstract:

Previous research reinforces the understanding that event organization is an effective way to accelerate the socio-economic development of host areas – cities, regions, and countries. There are many benefits that a given area can gain from hosting events. Economic benefits are most frequently emphasized. These include increased spending, tax revenue, and infrastructure investment. As research on the importance of event organization progresses, attention has also begun to shift to other elements, namely the motivational tendencies of participants in the meetings industry, who see non-economic benefits such as social cohesion, marketing opportunities, and the empowerment of local communities.

However, in 2020, everything changed. The trigger for these changes was the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which led to a lockdown of the economy. As a result of the restrictions, many business and social activities were suspended or canceled. One of the sectors most affected by the pandemic was the events industry, which significantly changed its organization, including the participation of event participants. With this in mind, the literature still lacks significant evidence regarding significant changes in the perception of events from the perspective of athletes, their preferences, and needs, which could be addressed by the event organizer. Due to this gap in the literature, this study presents important elements related to athletes' willingness to participate after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The main aim of this paper is to demonstrate the motivational tendencies of extreme running competitors in a spatial context. The study utilized secondary analysis of literature sources and statistical data, which allowed for the analysis of athletes participating in extreme running events. Geostatistical analysis tools were used in the research process, which led to the development of a GIS model of athlete concentration in a spatial context..