2011 Marathon, Half-Marathon and State of the Sport Reports

U.S. finisher total surpasses 1/2 million mark for the first time; more all-time records for the classic distance; ING New York City Marathon sets another world record as largest ever

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – (March 16, 2011) – Despite the lingering recession, “marathon mania” continued in the U.S. with another record year of growth as U.S. marathons in 2010 had an estimated 507,000 finishers, an 8.6% increase from 2009, the second largest increase in the past 25 years (U.S. marathons grew 9.9% in 2009). Last year, across the country, the majority of large marathons reported sold-out or record fields, and 2011 looks to continue this growth trend as the following U.S. marathons have sold-out in record time: Boston (8 hours!), Marine Corps (28 hours) and Bank of America Chicago (31 days), while other marathons such as Chevron Houston, Big Sur, LIVESTRONG Austin and Cowtown also filled their fields.

In past annual marathon reports, Running USA has summarized why this impressive and historic growth has happened, namely training programs (charity and non-charity), the challenge of 26.2 miles, bucket list appeal, women’s growth and fun, well-organized community events.

The following tables and lists provide a summary of the demographics and interesting stats and trends for U.S. marathons.

2010 Marathon Snapshot
In the U.S., there was a solid 7.7% increase in finishers from the same 316 marathons for 2009 and 2010 (460,345 vs. 495,577). Overall, there were 40,000 more marathon finishers in 2010 then there were in 2009. Since 1980, there has been a 255% increase in the number of U.S. marathon finishers (143,000 to 507,000). In addition, there were more than 625 marathons in the U.S. last year, another record, compared to approximately 200 in 1985 (a three-fold increase since then).

Last year, there was also a record of more than 35 inaugural marathons in the U.S. Most of them had less than 200 finishers with the debut Oakland Running Festival Marathon (CA) the largest with 1,081 finishers.

Year Estimated U.S. Marathon Finisher Total

National Runner Survey
In 2009, Running USA surveyed more than 11,000 core runners nationwide and found that more than half of them were interested in entering a marathon in 2010. In addition, those runners who had participated in the marathon in the last two years ran approximately 5 days per week and trained over 30 miles per week. They also purchased approximately 4 pairs of running shoes each year.

Marathons with more than 1,000 finishers grew too
Last year, there were 89 U.S. marathons reporting greater than 1,000 finishers, compared with 88, the previous record, in 2009; there were 77 in 2008. Since 1999, the number of U.S. marathons with greater than 1,000 finishers in a single year has nearly doubled (45 in 1999 vs. 89 in 2010).

Table 2: 2010 U.S. Marathons (>1,000 finishers) with the...

*Based upon events with >1,000 finishers in each representative category.

New York City adds to all-time title, six marathons had more than 30,000 finishers in 2010
The 2010 ING New York City Marathon nearly cracked the 45,000 finisher level, but its 44,977 finishers did surpass its 43,660 finisher total from 2009 to become the largest marathon of all-time. In addition, for the first time, six marathons – New York City, London, Chicago, Berlin, Paris and Tokyo – had more than 30,000 finishers in the same year, while the U.S. again had 7 of the 15 largest marathons in the world.

In 2010, there were 10 U.S. marathons that had more than 8,000 finishers and 26 U.S. marathons that had more than 4,000 finishers – both tied records set in 2009. See the listings below.

2010
World’s Largest Marathons (finishers):

 

U.S. Largest Marathons (finishers):

SOURCE: Running USA with Athlinks (2009–10) and Active.com (2005–08)

Contact: Ryan Lamppa, (805) 696-6232 or ryan@runningusa.org

America’s favorite road race distance shows another year of phenomenal growth as women and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Series lead the charge; record 24 U.S. half-marathons with 10,000 or more finishers; Bupa Great North Run world’s largest

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – (April 25, 2011) – If marathon mania exists, then, the half-marathon has reached hyper-mania. Last year, according to Running USA, U.S. half-marathons continued their upward trajectory as the “leader of the pack” repeated its phenomenal 24% growth rate, from approximately 1.1 million finishers in 2009 to nearly 1.4 million finishers in 2010, a record annual increase for the distance. In the same 733 U.S. half-marathons for 2009 vs. 2010, there was a 17.35% finisher increase (975,409 vs. 1,144,605).

Since 2003, the half-marathon has been the fastest growing road race distance in the United States, and for five consecutive years (2006–10), the number of 13.1 mile finishers in the U.S. has grown by 10% or more each year. Moreover, since 2000, the number of half-marathon finishers in this country has nearly tripled (482,000 to 1,385,000). In short, no other race distance comes close to this type of growth in recent years.

Other half-marathon “boom” facts include:

• In 2010, there were a record total of 24 U.S. half-marathons with 10,000 or more finishers, compared with 2009 when there were 17 (previous record), and in 2001, there were only two.
• In 2010, there were 38 half-marathons with 8,000 or more finishers vs. 30 in 2009 and 21 in 2008.
• Last year, to make the Top 100 largest U.S. half-marathon list, an event needed at least 3,200 finishers. By comparison, in 2001, it took less than 1,000 to crack the Top 100 list. So this explosive growth reaches beyond just the large or destination half-marathons.
• And over the past 5 years, more than 30 debut half-marathons annually have been popping up across the country.
• Running USA also reports that there were 42 half-marathons that make up the Top 100 U.S. Timed list for 2010. This means that of the largest timed road race events in the United States, 42% of them were half-marathons. Moreover, four of these half-marathons were inaugural events in 2010. Five years ago, there were 26 half-marathons on the Top 100 U.S. Timed list and ten years ago, 13 half-marathons on said barometer list.

As reported in last year’s inaugural Running USA Half-Marathon Report, the popularity of the distance has been fueled mainly by charity and non-charity training programs, destination-type events/series, runners moving up or down from the marathon and women’s participation.

Women lead the charge
Last year in the U.S., women dominated the half-marathon with an astounding 59% of fields or approximately 820,000 female finishers overall. In 2004, females were a slight minority with 49% participation, but each year more and more females have tackled the 13.1 mile distance and now populate this race distance more than any other event. Since 1995, the number of female finishers in the half-marathon has increased six-fold (135,000 females in 1995 to 820,000 in 2010) and 7 of the top 15 “women-only” events in the nation are half-marathons.

Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea, co-authors of “Run Like a Mother: How to Get Moving – and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity” (2010) attribute the female interest in the half-marathon to a number of factors: 1) The training schedule fits nicely into a working woman/busy mom’s life by allowing her to achieve a significant goal without devoting an entire weekend to running or recovering from a long run; 2) The miles and training necessary to finish a half-marathon give a woman an adequate amount of ‘me-time’ (or girlfriend time) which is necessary for both physical and mental health; 3) The pride and satisfaction that comes with crossing the finish line of a long race that requires both focus and commitment; 4) Since many half-marathons are destination events, they are a great way to get in a race, then hang out (and get massages and drink wine) with girlfriends for the rest of the weekend and 5) Lastly, it contains the most coveted word in a runner’s vocabulary: “marathon”.

Year Estimated U.S. Half-Marathon Finisher Total

Rock ‘n’ Roll Series headlines half hype
The Competitor Group’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Series continues to attract more and more race participants each year, thus adding to the surge in U.S. half-marathon participants shown above. New courses are being added each year with fun, destination-style events promising live entertainment, scenic courses and post-race concerts. Seven of the top 10 U.S. half-marathons – plus three inaugural 1/2s in 2010 with more than 9,200 finishers each – are part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Series, and overall, in 2010, the 14 Rock ‘n’ Roll half-marathons represented just over 15% of all U.S. half-marathon finishers.

National Runner Survey – Half-Marathon #1
In 2009, Running USA surveyed more than 11,000 “core runners” nationwide and found that 73% of them were interested in entering a half-marathon in 2010 and they ranked the half-marathon as their favorite race distance, by a long shot (35% vs. 19% for the 5K). In addition, those runners who had participated in the half-marathon in the last two years ran approximately 4 days per week and trained over 27 miles per week. They also purchased approximately 3 pairs of running shoes each year.

State-by-State Breakdown – Who’s #1?
Which states saw the most half-marathoners cross the finish line last year? California reported approximately 225,000 half-marathon finishers for 2010 representing 16% of the half-marathon finishers nationwide, followed by Florida (7%), Texas (7%), New York (5%), Illinois (4%), Indiana (4%), Ohio (4%), Pennsylvania (3%), Tennessee (3%), Virginia (3%) and Washington (3%). All other states combined represent 41% of half-marathon finishers.

Table 2: 2010 U.S. Half-Marathons (>2,000 finishers) with the...

Bupa Great North Run regains #1 spot; record 9 half-marathons with >19,000 finishers
In 2010, the Bupa Great North Run reestablished itself as the largest half-marathon in the world with 39,507 finishers vs. last year’s leader Göteborg who dropped to #2 with 38,459 finishers. Over the past decade, the Great North Run has held the #1 position 9 out of 10 years.

For the first time, there were nine half-marathons worldwide with more than 19,000 finishers and a record-tying seven with more than 20,000 finishers (also 2009). Last year, the United States had 14 of the top 20 half-marathons in the world.

2010
World’s Largest Half-Marathons (finishers):

U.S. Largest Half-Marathons (finishers):

SOURCE: Running USA with Athlinks (2009-10) and Active.com (2005-08)

Contact: Ryan Lamppa, (805) 696-6232 or ryan@runningusa.org

National Running Survey shows educated, affluent, motivated, half-marathon loving population

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - (June 19, 2011) - The 2011 National Runner Survey is a comprehensive study conducted every two years by Running USA. The National Runner Survey assesses the demographics, lifestyle, attitudes, habits and product preferences of the running population nationwide. Results from the National Runner Survey reflect “core runners”, that is, active adult participants who tend to enter running events and train year-round.

Today’s core runners are highly educated with 77.2% having earned a college diploma (national percent = 29.5%) and affluent with 72.9% reporting a household income of more than $75,000 (national average = 32.4%). Core runners are active participants who train year-round and report running/jogging an average of 213 days and logging nearly 1,269 miles per year. These runners are motivated to run in order to stay in shape (80.7%), stay healthy (77.4%), have fun (66.1%) and relieve stress (64.3%).

The National Runner Survey is distributed electronically to running event participants, running club members, specialty running shoe store visitors, subscribers to running publications and those who frequent the online running community. Running USA worked closely with more than 60 organizations to help distribute the online survey to various constituency groups between the months of January through May of 2011. A total of 11,893 runners nationwide (53.8% female, 46.2% male) responded to the survey with an 86% rate of completion. Select results from the 2011 study are presented below. You can pre-order a complete report at http://www.runningusa.org/node/57812.

The following female and male runner snapshots represent “core runners”, that is, active adult participants who tend to enter running events, train year-round, and purchase 2-4 running shoes each year.

Typical U.S. Female Runner

Demographics:

• Average Age: 38.5
• 63.2% Married
• 78.2% College educated
• 70.3% Earn a household income of $75,000+

Running History:

• Average number of years running: 9.9 years
• Average number of running events participated in during the last 12 months: 7.2 events
• 51.8% have completed 1 marathon or more in their lifetime

Running Routine:

• 70.4% Run/Jog 4+ hours each week
• 77.7% run 12 months a year
• Average number of days run per week: 4.0
• Average number of miles run per week: 21.9
• 66.1% describe themselves as ‘Frequent/Fitness Runners’

Running Preferences:

• Favorite race distance is the Half-Marathon (39.0%)
• Interested in entering next year: Half-Marathon (77.0%), 5K (57.3%), 10K (56.0%), Marathon (43.3%)

Motivation:

• Primary motivation to start running: For Exercise (25.0%), Weight Concerns (14.5%), Needed a New Challenge (9.3%)
• Motivation to continue to run: Staying in Shape (76.8%), Staying Healthy (74.2%), Relieving Stress (64.4%)

Product Preferences:

• Average number of running shoes purchased in last 12 months: 2.9 pairs
• Last running shoes purchased: ASICS (26.4%), Brooks (16.6%), Saucony (14.2%)
• 65.3% spent $90+ on their running shoes and 47.9% purchased their running shoes at a specialty running store
• Favorite brands of running apparel: Nike (64.8%), Under Armour (45.7%), Champion (34.3%), adidas (30.7%)
• 80.4% spent $100+ on running apparel in the last 12 months and 59.6% purchased running apparel at a specialty running store

Health:

• Average Weight: 137.6 lbs
• Average Height: 65.01 inches / 5 feet, 5 inches
• Average Body Mass Index (BMI): 22.9
• 40.9% are content with their weight
• 42.3% are content with their fitness level

Typical U.S. Male Runner

Demographics:

• Average Age: 43.6
• 71.0% Married
• 76.2% College educated
• 76.0% Earn a household income of $75,000+

Running History:

• Average number of years running: 14.2 years
• Average number of running events participated in during the last 12 months: 8.7 events
• 66.5% have completed 1 marathon or more in their lifetime

Running Routine:

• 75.1% Run/Jog 4+ hours each week
• 80.9% run 12 months a year
• Average number of days run per week: 4.3
• Average number of miles run per week: 27.2
• 58.9% describe themselves as ‘Frequent/Fitness Runners’ and 30.8% as ‘Serious Competitive Runners’

Running Preferences:

• Favorite race distance is the Half-Marathon (35.2%)
• Interested in entering next year: Half-Marathon (70.4%), 5K (57.1%), 10K (55.0%), Marathon (53.2%)

Motivation:

• Primary motivation to start running: For Exercise (22.4%), Weight Concerns (13.6%), Competed in School and Never Stopped (11.3%)
• Motivation to continue to run: Staying in Shape (75.2%), Staying Healthy (71.1%), Having Fun (62.0%)

Product Preferences:

• Average number of running shoes purchased in last 12 months: 3.2 pairs
• Last running shoes purchased: ASICS (25.1%), Brooks (15.8%), Nike (14.0%)
• 58.6% spent $90+ on their running shoes and 40.5% purchased their running shoes at a specialty running store
• Favorite brands of running apparel: Nike (57.3%), Under Armour (40.4%), ASICS (32.2%), adidas (31.2%)
• 77.0% spent $100+ on running apparel in the last 12 months and 63.0% purchased running apparel at a specialty running store

Health:

• Average Weight: 172.9 lbs
• Average Height: 70.46 inches / 5 feet, 10 ½ inches
• Average Body Mass Index (BMI): 24.4
• 45.2% are content with their weight
• 44.3% are content with their fitness level

Rodale Inc. also conducts a study on the running consumer and publishes a Subscriber Study for Runner’s World and Running Times magazine subscribers. Below is a comparison of how the runner profiles from that study compare to the National Runner Survey conducted by Running USA.

*in last 12 months

NOTE: The National Runner Survey data also includes survey responses from a select group of Runner’s World subscribers.

Sources for Part I:

National Runner Survey (Running USA, 2011) – based on a nationwide sample of 11,893 runners. See www.runningusa.org for more information or contact tracy@runningusa.org. A full report is available for pre-purchase (to be released July 2011) with a Running USA member discount at this link: http://www.runningusa.org/node/57812. Custom reports may be available upon request.

Runner’s World Subscriber Study (Rodale, 2010) - based on a sample of n=423 Runner’s World ad n=376 Running Times subscribers. Study commissioned by Erdos & Morgan. Contact Paul Baumeister, Research Manager with Runner’s World and Running Times magazines at Paul.Baumeister@Rodale.com

U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2011 (130th Edition) Washington, DC, 2010; http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

Running USA - State of the Sport Reports, many types of running data and lists of the largest races from past years can be found on www.runningusa.org in the “statistics section”. For other questions about running trends and demographics, contact Ryan Lamppa ryan@runningusa.org or Tracy Yoder tracy@runningusa.org

General running numbers up; Nike reaching the young; apparel sales hit $1.1 billion, shoes sales down slightly; record fundraising helps drive Second Running Boom growth

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – (June 26, 2011) – From record or sold-out race fields across the country last year, billions of dollars in shoe sales and running apparel, innovative products such as personalized devices to track individual workouts and record fundraising, the Running Industry continues to show impressive growth in virtually every sector.

Running is one of the most convenient and inexpensive forms of exercise available. There are no required membership fees, special equipment or required classes. All you need is a pair of running shoes and you can just walk out your door or office. No longer is the marathon just for someone who trains 50 to 70 miles a week or a specialty running store only for those with chiseled calves. Today’s runners are those looking to achieve a new goal, to stay fit, to relieve stress, to feel empowered or to run for a cause. And thanks to numerous free online training programs, today’s new runners can easily find a program that is right for them, based on their ability and available time to train.

Many casual runners are entering events to have fun, as a social activity, and for the experience; it’s not about setting a new PR for them, but finishing. Last year, 14 Rock ‘n’ Roll Series events saw more than 255,000 individuals cross the finish line. Of those, 37% were debuting in the marathon or half-marathon, and 62% were female, reflecting the broad appeal of running nationwide.

Running/jogging continues to show strong and consistent growth annually as running total participation was up almost 13% overall in the last year and has increased by 57% in the last 10 years, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. SGMA also projects running / jogging as a sport with some of the greatest growth potential from 2010 to 2015, ranking #12 on the list with a 31% growth rate.

Table 1: U.S. Running Participation Numbers for 2010

Shoe Giants Chasing the Consumer
During an investor presentation held in New York City, Trevor Edwards, Nike’s Vice President in Global Brand and Category Management said Nike’s latest successes are being helped by its focus on the young runner (18 – 24 year olds). He stated, “Actually, this is the fastest growing segment. They run with music, they expect information and they love running as a community sport.”

Edwards also stated that the younger consumer has been particularly driven to the Nike+ technology and last year Nikeplus.com had nearly 3 million registered members worldwide. As Nike will continue to target this younger demographic, they also have other goals on their radar screen, such as “Owning the Uniform of Running.” Edwards stated that product innovation continues to define running success for the brand.

Likewise, the other running shoe giants continue to strategize and target their marketing campaigns. As the core running brands try to capitalize on their unique position in the marketplace, each brand is becoming more aggressive and more innovative in the products they offer to consumers. Two areas gaining stride are women’s shoes / apparel and minimalist shoes being driven by the latest in barefoot running.

Running Footwear Down, Sports Apparel Up
The National Sporting Goods Association’s (NSGA – 2) “Sporting Goods Market in 2011” reports that running/jogging shoe sales totaled $2.32 billion in 2010, down 2% in total dollars from the previous year ($2.36 billion in 2009). Sales are projected to grow an additional 1% to approximately $2.33 billion in 2011. See Table 2 below for historical sales figures and distribution channels.

The NSGA (2) also reports that running/jogging apparel purchases totaled $1.1 billion in 2010, with a 23% increase over the previous year, and more than any other category listed in NSGA’s report on athletic and sport clothing. Apparel in this category is expected to grow an additional 14% by 2011. While running is an inexpensive form of exercise that requires no mandatory equipment purchases, today’s runners are still eager to open up their pocketbooks to buy the latest gear including shoes, apparel and other new products on the market.

Table 2: Jogging & Running Footwear Sales in U.S. (NSGA - 2)

Table 3: Brand of Running Shoes Last Purchased – 2011 National Runner Survey

Complete list available in Running USA’s 2011 National Runner Survey

Running for a Cause
There is no doubt that running for a charitable cause has led to the surge in running participants over the past two decades. Just recently (July 2011) Runner’s World magazine published an entire special issue discussing how runners unite for a cause. According to the Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council, running and walking events such as the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life ($416.5 million), Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure ($121.9 million), and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training (TNT) program ($97.0 million) were three of the top four events in the overall list of the 30 largest athletic-event fundraisers (see Table 4) which overall, generated a total of $1.65 billion for charity.

Running (and walking) has become the sport of choice for those wanting to support charity. Anyone can lace up their shoes and run out the door, but running for someone recently lost to cancer, running as part of your own treatment regimen, or running to increase funding for a charity has created a deep emotional connection between the sport and the cause. People who never before thought they could ever run or finish a marathon are finding an inner strength and a greater goal to drive them to the finish line. Thanks to quality training programs and certified coaches backed by lifesaving missions, more people than ever before are running for a cause.

Table 4: Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council’s Top Five Programs by Revenue - 2010

Upcoming Running USA State of the Sport reports will feature gender and age group demographics, event finisher totals by distance and the largest races nationwide for 2010.

SOURCES:

Brant, J. (2011, July). Team Effort. Runner’s World, 77-81, 84-90.

National Runner Survey = Running USA. A comprehensive study designed to assess the demographics, lifestyle, attitudes, habits and product preferences of the running population nationwide. Available for purchase at www.runningusa.org. Contact tracy@runningusa.org for questions.

NSGA = National Sporting Goods Association. (1) = NSGA Sports Participation in 2010, Series I, II, State-by-State, (2) = NSGA Sporting Goods Market in 2011, based on retail sales in the U.S. projected from consumer surveys of 80,000 households. To obtain information on any of the NSGA products and services, email: info@nsga.org, phone (847) 296-6742 or go to www.nsga.org.

Outrunning Cancer: A special report on the myriad ways our sport is leading the fight against a killer disease. (2011, July). Runner’s World, 75.

Rodale, Inc. = A global media company with a heritage, mission and authority dedicated to the health and wellness of the individual, community and planet. The company publishes some of the best-known health and wellness lifestyle magazines including Runner’s World. For more information, visit: www.rodaleinc.com

Running USA = Running USA advances the growth and success of the running industry in America. State of the Sport reports, many types of running data and lists of the largest races from past years can be found on RunningUSA.org in the “Statistics” section. For other questions about running trends and demographics, contact ryan@runningusa.org or tracy@runningusa.org

Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council = The Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council is the focal point of research in the burgeoning field of athletic event fundraising. Each year the council publishes the Run Walk Ride 30 which is a list of the top 30 programs ranked on revenue and other key metrics. For more information visit www.runwalkride.com or contact info@runwalkride.com

Ryan, T. (2010, April). Nike Plots Running Growth: ‘Owning the Uniform of Running’ Goal Moving Forward. PSR News & Information for the Running & Triathlon Market, 5(5).

SGMA = Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. 2011 SGMA Sports & Fitness Participation Topline Report, based on participation numbers in the U.S. projected from online interviews of a nationwide sample. To obtain information on any of the SGMA products or services, email: info@sgma.com, phone (301) 495-6322, or go to www.sgma.com

Road race participation – with more female and male finishers, more races – has more record growth

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – (July 21, 2011) – The Second Running Boom, despite the slow U.S. economy, continued in 2010 with an estimated 13 million finishers nationwide, an all-time high, and the largest percent increase (10%) in road race finishers that Running USA has ever reported to-date. Fueling this growth is the increase in half-marathon, 5K and marathon finishers, female finishers, the increase in charity running and a growing interest in the sport from the general population.

Put simply, more and more Americans are finding that running is an inexpensive, convenient, social sport to help them stay healthy and to tackle a new challenge or goal. As Running USA’s National Runner Survey reported, today’s runners are motivated to stay in shape, stay healthy, have fun and relieve stress. As new and returning runners enter the sport and road races, we will continue to see a tremendous amount of growth in overall finisher totals, as experienced in the last two years.

2010 U.S. Road Running Snapshot:

• 2010 had the highest percent increase in overall finisher totals (10%) in nearly three decades. Growth such as this hasn’t been seen since the pre-Second Running Boom in 1992 (9.2%) and recently, 2009 (9.0%), and based on preliminary totals, 2011 should also show above average growth as well in this country.

• Females now account for nearly 6.9 million finishers nationwide (a record number) and represent 53% of event fields, compared to only 25% in 1990 which had 4.15 million overall finishers, while males in 2010 also set a new high with more than 6.1 million finishers in U.S. road races

• Total U.S. running events exceeded 22,800, an all-time record high (see Table 2 below).

• 2010 produced a record annual increase (tie with 2009) in total finishers for the Half-Marathon (24%) and nearly a 9% increase in Marathon finishers, which is the second largest percent increase for the classic distance in the past 25 years.

• For the first time ever, the Half-Marathon now claims more finishers than the 10K, ranking #2 next to the 5K in finishers. Females continue to dominate the Half-Marathon race field with 59% representation.

• The 5K is still handily the road race “King of the Hill” with nearly 4.7 million finishers (yes, another record) and had 36% of all finishers in 2010; the universal 3.1 mile distance has been #1 in the U.S. since 1994 when it surpassed the 10K. See Table 1 below.

Table 1: 2010 U.S. Road Running Event Finishers

Table 2: 2010 U.S. Running Events Summary

Note. In the last two years, Running USA has been able to access more data nationwide. As a result, we have adjusted our estimated finisher totals and total number of events from previous years to reflect the new data. The percent increase between prior years will remain the same, but overall finisher totals and number of events have been adjusted in our in-house documents. If referring to older reports please note that overall finisher totals and/or event totals may have been adjusted per the above.

Approximately 52% of road race finishers in 2010 were between the ages of 25 to 44 years old (higher percent of females in this age range) with the average age of a timed finisher being 36.1 years. The average female road racer continues to be approximately 3 years younger than her male counterpart, and this trend has remained consistent over the past several years. Of the major race distances (5K, 10K, half-marathon and marathon) the Open category of 20-39 year olds continues to dominate the race field with the half-marathon seeing the highest number of finishers in this age range at 57%. See Tables 3, 4 and 5 below.

Table 3: Age Group Distribution of U.S. Timed Road Race Finishers in 2010

Table 4: Average Age of Timed Road Race Finishers

Table 5: Age Group Distribution by Event

SOURCE: Running USA powered by Athlinks

The following table provides the number of certified courses for 2010 standard road race distances as reported by USA Track & Field.

Table 6: Total USATF Active Certified Road Courses (as of June 2011)
*Course certification expires every 10 years

SOURCE: USA Track & Field

SOURCES:

National Runner Survey = Running USA. A comprehensive study designed to assess the demographics, lifestyle, attitudes, habits and product preferences of the running population nationwide. Available for purchase at www.runningusa.org. Contact tracy@runningusa.org for questions.

Running USA = Running USA advances the growth and success of the running industry in America. State of the Sport reports, many types of running data and lists of the largest races from past years can be found on RunningUSA.org in the “Statistics” section. For other questions about running trends and demographics, contact ryan@runningusa.org or tracy@runningusa.org

USATF = USA Track & Field is the governing body for track and field, race walking and long distance running in the U.S. For information on certified courses, go to: www.usatf.org/events/courses/search

Record number of finishers in Top 100 U.S. Timed; races with more than 50,000 timed finishers also hits new high

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – (July 28, 2011) – Each year Running USA releases statistics for the nation’s top road races including such popular lists as the Top 100 U.S. Timed, Largest Festivals, Largest by Distance, Largest by State, Women-Only, World’s Largest and Youth Runs. To see where your favorite road races ranked in 2010 or what the #1 race is in the different largest race categories, go to: www.runningusa.org/statistics/largest

Top 100 U.S. Timed – In 2010, the Top 100 U.S. Timed list accounted for just over 1.4 million finishers (a record) compared to 922,500 finishers in 2000, up more than 51%, and as a benchmark, in 2000 the 100th race on the list had just over 3,600 finishers, while by 2010 that number had grown to more than 7,000. Last year, a record 42 half-marathons made up the Top 100 U.S. Timed list, and four of those half-marathons were inaugural events. By comparison, in 2000, there were only 11 half-marathons on the Top 100 U.S. Timed list and none were inaugural. As mentioned in previous State of the Sport Reports, since 2003, the half-marathon has been the fastest growing distance in the U.S. with an incredible 24% annual growth the past two years.

Largest by Distance – If you think a marathon or half-marathon distance had the largest race field in the nation, think again. In fact, the top 3 largest road races for 2010 were two 10Ks and a 12K all with more than 50,000 timed finishers each: Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race 10K (50,918), Lilac Bloomsday Run 12K (50,721) and Dick’s Sporting Goods BolderBOULDER 10K (50,477); it was the first time that more than two U.S. road races exceeded 50,000 timed finishers in the same year.

During the Second Running Boom, the 15K and 10 mile have also shown impressive, but relatively quiet growth compared to the more talked about half-marathon and marathon. In 2010, for example, for the first time, three U.S. 15Ks had more than 10,000 finishers: Gate River Run (13,342), Hot Chocolate (12,338) and Boilermaker (11,540) and there were none in 2005, while in the 10 mile, three races had more than 15,000 finishers: Blue Cross Broad Street Run (26,266), Army Ten-Miler (21,744) and Credit Union Cherry Blossom (15,762) with none in 2005.

To view the largest races in the U.S. by distance, click here: http://www.runningusa.org/statistics/largest

Largest by State – The ING New York City Marathon weekend including the Marathon, Continental Airlines International Friendship Run 4K, NYRR 5 Mile and Run With Champions youth event rank New York #1 with the largest festival event on the map with nearly 62,000 estimated finishers (the vast majority timed with a world record 44,977 finishers in the Marathon), but other states have stand-alone large events topping the list too such as the “Show Me” state of Missouri (Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Festival 5K – 55,419 estimated finishers), Georgia (Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race 10K – 50,918), Washington (Lilac Bloomsday 12K – 50,721) and Colorado (Dick’s Sporting Goods BolderBOULDER 10K – 50,477).

Largest Festivals – Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure events include 8 races in the top 15 festivals for 2010. Overall U.S. Festivals continue to experience tremendous growth. For example, in 2010, the 50th largest festival had 22,089 finishers compared to 2009 when the 50th largest festival had 19,450, and over ten years ago only 12,000 finishers.

Women-Only – Of the largest women-only races (95% or greater female finishers), seven of the top 15 were half-marathons in 2010. The top 3 events spanned from the west coast to the east coast, with the Nike Women’s Half-Marathon in California (15,556), Disney Princess Half-Marathon in Florida (11,359), and the St. Luke’s Women’s Fitness Celebration in Idaho (11,041 estimated finishers). In 2010, there were more than 20 women-only events with 2000-plus finishers.

World’s Largest – With 67,999 timed finishers, the Sun-Herald City2Surf 14K in Sydney, Australia was the world’s largest road race in 2010. For the first time, six marathons – New York City, London, Chicago, Berlin, Paris and Tokyo – had more than 30,000 finishers in the same year, while the U.S. again had 7 of the 15 largest marathons in the world. There were also nine half-marathons worldwide with more than 19,000 finishers (a record) and a record-tying seven with more than 20,000 finishers (also 2009). Last year, the United States had 14 of the top 20 half-marathons in the world.

Largest Youth – With the development of the final mile programs and the majority of road race events now incorporating a youth component, youth runs across the nation have also experienced explosive growth the last 5-10 years. Running USA estimates that there were more than 40 youth events in 2010 that surpassed 2,000 youth finishers at a single event.

SOURCES:

Running USA = Running USA advances the growth and success of the running industry in America. State of the Sport reports, many types of running data and lists of the largest races from past years can be found on RunningUSA.org in the “Statistics” section. Running USA statistics is powered by Athlinks. For other questions about running trends and demographics, contact ryan@runningusa.org or tracy@runningusa.org