In the US that would require an emphasis on physical activity for the younger generations. That seems to be less and less of a priority as screen time takes over.
Pretty sad to see that kids hardly go outside anymore and instead stay in front of a screen. Sure diets are not great either, but physical activity used to be something that could offset some of that (although proper eating is important too). I do not see many people in the future clamoring to get out and run unless there is someone inspiring them or motivating them.
Do you have any specific numbers showing a decline in participation? I am curious to see how it plays out over the next 5-10 years.
Ten years ago, cyclocross was huge. Then gravel racing became a thing. Then professionalism took over gravel racing. So everyone fled to mountain biking.
Then Covid hit, and there were no events, and everyone got older.
Cyclocross is dead. Gravel racing is a pro sport. A few people ride mountain bikes around.
Just like a few people I know are still running. Few race any more though.
Perhaps it is a "race recession" for some of the places mentioned. If there is not a strong local running scene and you don't have a "bucket list" race, then it is probably harder to take 2-3 years off.
An interesting point is the current economic outlook. When people have more disposable income they are willing to invest in experiences and their health. If there is more uncertainty then perhaps they don't want to invest $150 (minimum) in shoes along with paying race fees, etc.
I haven't checked the numbers at my local races, but I think there is a strong enough community here where the big runs will be alright.
For the races I’m signed up this fall participation numbers are down. One of them had to move their race to a Friday and they’re at about 1/4 of their 2019 numbers. Moving it to Friday really hurt them in my opinion. I doubt the event survives without increasing prices.
I have a $200/year racing budget. Next year I plan on racing 3 5ks in the spring, two of them are put on by the Rec center and they acknowledge they’re not going to have a certified course. (I measured that course at 4908m) The other will be a track 5k (assuming the sponsoring organization has it again and I qualify). This will cost $60 total. In the fall I’m planning on racing 2 10ks and a 5k tuneup. I expect this will cost about 75-100 dollars. That leaves me $40 dollars. I’d like to find a series of mile races for June/July but everything I’ve found is either pricy ($50 to run at the only open track meet near me that I won’t be the only adult racing) or short (I’m not interested in running a 0.89 mile race). When I move into 1/2 marathons and marathons I know I’ll have to increase my budget.
I’d like to see more community races that offer somewhat accurate courses +- 0.5%, accurate results (I don’t care about fractions of a second, hh:mm:ss will do just fine), limited awards and nothing more. I don’t need dozens of race shirts. I don’t need finishers medals. I don’t even care for my age-group awards when there’s only 4 of us and the winner gets the overall award. I just wanna race.
Late-70s, early-80s checking in. I usually spent $5-7, maybe $1 for all-comers track meets. Most road courses were maybe measured with a car. We raced.
I'm running next week in a marathon that is local/regional, which cost (I think) $130 to enter. I ran a half several weeks ago that cost (!) $90 for a local event. It's just too much, and I'm an older runner who can afford it but I wince at these prices. I would really hesitate to pay the $200-300 it now costs to enter biggie races, not to mention the tendency for hotels to charge three nights minimum at big prices. Don't get me started on the crazy and coordinated price increases on running shoes over the last three or four years.
I've already started scoping out hyper-local events put on by the running clubs around here, the $30 5K and 10Ks, and some trail-based marathons and 50Ks. If I'm paying more I at least want six or seven hours of support and a serious buffet spread at aid stations!
These little races are easier to get to, easier to pay for, easier and cheaper to park at and don't usually require any hotel stays.
In the US that would require an emphasis on physical activity for the younger generations. That seems to be less and less of a priority as screen time takes over.
Pretty sad to see that kids hardly go outside anymore and instead stay in front of a screen. Sure diets are not great either, but physical activity used to be something that could offset some of that (although proper eating is important too). I do not see many people in the future clamoring to get out and run unless there is someone inspiring them or motivating them.
Do you have any specific numbers showing a decline in participation? I am curious to see how it plays out over the next 5-10 years.
I agree. As a swim coach it’s pretty easy to tell if I have a kid who spent the first ten years of his life hunched over a phone. It’s tragic.
As a running store owner I can tell you that far more people started running during the pandemic than stopped. Race participation has decreased but the number of runners has increased. Business at running stores is at a all time high.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Park Runs have increased in participation significantly in the past few years. You can do timed 5k races, inviting for every level, and costs nothing really. Focus on fun more than competition.
road races were dumb anyhow. Pay $100 for a cheap t-shirt and a medal for going 5k in whatever time.
I never paid $100 to run a 5k. But yeah, everyone should run alone, save their money, and only wear cheap t-shirts from Wal-mart.
Would you pay $100 to run the elite Boston marathon hobby jogger championships? You can qualify with the statistical equivalent of a 2:30 800 meters.
Runners should RACE on tracks, or at least in events that are more about going fast than being in a crowd. If they just want to run together, that is not a race. The very nature of racing is to separate yourself from the pack.