Is the running boom dead?

Flexi the Cat wrote:

????52

You're killing me dude!

I'm 54 and doing everything I can to give breaking 3 hours again a realistic shot.

52, that ain't no big deal:)

I wasn’t able to break 3 until I was 52.

Kept doing it until 56.

52 ain’t old.

Negativesplitter wrote:

Flexi the Cat wrote:

????52

You're killing me dude!

I'm 54 and doing everything I can to give breaking 3 hours again a realistic shot.

52, that ain't no big deal:)

I wasn’t able to break 3 until I was 52.

Kept doing it until 56.

52 ain’t old.

Congrats, that's quite an accomplishment mate! Not that many over 50 break 3 hours.

Although I don't live there, I've been to China a lot recently and the running boom is just starting over there. New urban planning allows for good training routes, and marathons are starting to become really popular. Of course, people still mostly jog for leisure, but it's a lot different than when literally no one ran 20-30 years ago.

I have to admit, I miss the small races with all serious runners. \

The social gatherings of the big races is kind of cool- it's easy to women- there are a lot of single 30+ year olds out there who want a fit, older man. But still- I miss the good old days.

Yes, I do believe the running market and boom in the US is on the decline. I work for a sporting goods manufacturer, specifically in footwear and apparel sector. We have started to see flattening and declining market in running shoe sales. It is pretty clear now the market for nearly all performance footwear is in a multi year decline.

In my opinion, yes the running scene is in a bit of a decline. I think people are still running however, they are just racing less. There's only so many times you'll be willing to pay to run the same course that you did in the previous year or that you could run on any given weekend for free.

I've done a little bit of anecdotal reviews of some of the local races. In 2014 races were getting anywhere from 25 - 40% better attendance. So a local half marathon might get 500 runners. Now it is getting 300 and sometimes less. The elite races, Boston, New York, Big Sur, Chicago, etc, aren't being hit because those are bucket list races. Your run of the mill local 10K race isn't likely going to be on someone's bucket list.

I've seen the full marathon get particularly hit hard. Many marathons here have a 50% decline in participation.

Some site cost as the driving factor for their lack of racing. I suspect it is mostly market saturation. In Utah here you can pretty much run a half marathon almost ever weekend (and sometimes you'll have your choice between two and three events).

Also I think some of the lack may be driven from the lack of quality. I think some race directors found it to be a good way to make a quick buck. Mismarked courses, long / short courses, faulty timing, etc may be a reason why people are racing less because they've had one too many bad experiences.

What I am amazed about though is the number of women participants. I've been racing for a long time and in the "good old days" it was 66% men, 33% women. That has totally flip flopped with the exception of the full marathon.

Interesting times for sure.

capitalism, baby.

race organizers are maximizing revenues (or more precisely profits), that's why finisher medals are getting bigger and awards smaller. doubling the entry fee from $50 to $100 probably has decreased entry by less than 50%.

nobody cares about the spirit of racing.

The boom is definitely over, but there is no bust. People are still doing marathons and see it as an important bucket list experience. But a lot of younger people are making fitness classes a priority over running. Group fitness classes are booming because they are getting the backing of big investors (Orange Theory, Soul Cylce, etc.) and are very popular with millenials. Also, the running world shot itself in the foot by letting shoddy for profit groups like RnR take over so many marathons. RnR provided terrible race experiences and turned a lot of people off to running marathons. RnR has had participation number in marathons crash over the past few years because of their lousy race experiences and focus on cramming as many people as they can into more profitable 1/2 marathons. Add to that the crappy training groups like USA fit and TNT that pushed people into running marathons too fast just to fill spots in their programs and ended up having more people go from couch to crutches than from couch to 42k. On top of all that is the popularity of instagram and showing off a more muscular figure and you have a perfect storm for the end of the running boom.

I haven't done a statistical analysis, but my observations are the same as yours. I've been in the same metro area all my life, and the local running scene has changed so much.

I'm one of those race every week masters guys, and the entry fees are even making me consider racing less. Lots of little 5ks are charging $40 or even more now. If a marathon charges over $100 (and they all do now), I can deal with that because it's a once a year or every other year thing for me. But I can race a 5k or 10k every week. That adds up fast!

I know lots of people who have done a marathon and have moved on to yoga or cross fit. They don't run at all anymore. Nothing wrong with that, people are free to do what they want. I do wonder if the high entry fees are turning people toward different pursuits, especially after they've crossed a marathon off their bucket lists.

fisky wrote:

Can someone explain what he means by "increase value" and "create better experiences for their runners?" What are we talking about... bigger finisher medals?

More likely is trinkets that are a little more creative than bigger finisher medals. But, basically, you are correct. There are more and different events that directly compete with the average 10K and are considered more interesting.

Running as an activity might have had a recent "boom." Running as a sport is as dirty and poor as it has always been.

I see the exact same thing with the fitness classes. There's one that meets in a local park in my town that also hosts lots of weekend races. What I'm seeing is that the 20 something's aren't there for the race, they're there for the fitness class.

People, in general, just don't seem to be as competitive as they used to be. Possibly another factor in declining race participation.

Some of the rising expenses at major races, like security costs, may be unavoidable at this point. Others, like the price of "bling" and goodie bags and finishers' medals, could be reduced. I can't believe actual adults care so much about that stuff after their first five races or so.

Lots of good comments on here, but I think one that that's overlooked is the vanity aspect and perception of attractiveness. A lot of people are moving towards activities that will give them the bodies they are seeking, which current trend is more muscular for both men and women, with an emphasis on curves for women. Call it hip hop, Instagram, whatever influence you want, but young women want some booty and men want to be swole. In my teenage years, males were more interested in being competitive in a sport than looking good, but they also weren’t being judged against dime a dozen Instagram fitness models. Generally speaking I think there has been a shift from performance to looks, so running just isn’t as popular with the younger generation. Of course other factors like wanting a more “well rounded” level of fitness and increase in registration costs doesn’t help, but I think a big part of it is that people just don’t want to be built like Galen Rupp.

Yes, the powerlifting boom has just started though. 30+ year old records are falling frequently. Your modern day bro has evolved, join us

Yes.

It was killed by millennials with their avocado toast and tide pods.

Looks by far more alive than its ever been.

fromtheheart wrote:

Significantly so due to the increase in event prices

Amen. I find myself blatantly avoiding larger races for this reason, even if there would be better competition.

Of course it's over. But there will always be a place for thin white people --particularly women-- to go when all you need are a pair of shoes and motivation you already have!

I predict soccer is going to have a backlash with head inj.'s and cancer scares. That will hurt in the ' burbs. Football --though not for runners anyway-- is obviously on the way out. Basketball is a knee inj waiting to happen for girls.

Softball... for the burly types.

So white people won't be abandoning running anytime soon even if the boom is over. Swimming and Track look like the individual sports that won't threaten the health of kids who have more on their mind than pro sports.