More than 700 runners raced along route 66 for the third annual - KOAM TV 7

More than 700 runners raced along route 66 for the third annual Mother Road Marathon bringing big business to Joplin area hotels and restaurants.

More than 700 runners raced along route 66 for the third annual Mother Road Marathon bringing big business to Joplin area hotels and restaurants.   

The race is the only marathon offering a tri-state course, attracting runners from 24 different states.  Drawing in that out-of-town crowd helps out the growing Joplin economy. 

 The Holiday Inn in Joplin says they look to marathon events like this one to make up for slower weekends.  They estimate around 25 percent of the hotel's occupancy this weekend was runners participating in the race. 

 And not only does the marathon help boost business, it helps draw attention to the historical mother-road and all the nostalgia of Route 66.