WSJ: How Millennials have ended the running boom

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I don't have specific data, but I expect that putting it all in terms of Millennial and Boomer stereotypes misses the point. Every generation is getting fatter and more sedentary compared to earlier generations in the same age ranges.

Faddish running of races, color runs, mud runs, etc. probably just obscures the larger trend of increasing sedentary behavior by all generations. I expect the percentage of each age range that engages in any kind of exercise as vigorous as running has declined and will continue to decline as people devote a higher percentage of their time to computers, smart phones, TV, social media and other sedentary pursuits.

I would imagine that being called a "Southerner" (as a social moderate in the majority at that time) by an outsider during the Jim Crow era is roughly tantamount to how "Millennial" is thrown around in this time. The term is overarching and stereotypical. There is almost always a derogatory connotation of laziness, disaffection, and apathy involved. (Correct this comparison if I'm wrong, please.)

Whatever gives the status quo/Boomers/Gen-X'ers something to rally around and bitch about gets play I guess.

Older folks tend to have more disposable income than 20 somethings who are just beginning their careers and still getting established financially. So a $30 5k every weekend isn't as big an expense for the older set.

I'm 51 and can afford frequent racing. It's the hassle factor rather than the cost that keeps me away.

Tomorrow I'm picking up a number for a Sunday 5K because I know getting my number on race day will be a cluster@*^$ and mean either having to get there way too early or being stressed. And the parking and the standing on the line for too long after warming up while every sponsor is thanked and knowing that some of the entry fee is going toward "amenities" I have no interest in, while it's hit or miss at an average race whether there will be mile markers, an accurate course and reliable results.

After awhile, it's hard not to think, "I based my weekend around that?"

As others have said, maybe there will be a pendulum swing back toward simplicity.

smd wrote:

I'm 51 and can afford frequent racing. It's the hassle factor rather than the cost that keeps me away.

Tomorrow I'm picking up a number for a Sunday 5K because I know getting my number on race day will be a cluster@*^$ and mean either having to get there way too early or being stressed. And the parking and the standing on the line for too long after warming up while every sponsor is thanked and knowing that some of the entry fee is going toward "amenities" I have no interest in, while it's hit or miss at an average race whether there will be mile markers, an accurate course and reliable results.

After awhile, it's hard not to think, "I based my weekend around that?"

As others have said, maybe there will be a pendulum swing back toward simplicity.

I am 37 and could not have said it better myself. I am sick and tired of treating a weekend race like it is the end-all/be-all. Instead, I just meet some buddies at a local trail and we run each other into the ground for 90 minutes or so. Half the time someone has a 6-pack in the trunk or a cardboard thermos/pitcher thing of Starbucks coffee that we can all enjoy (interestingly, the beer is more common).

I am no longer as fast as I was when I was in my 20s, obviously, so I have less incentive to care about races. I do run a few every year, but I can run 14 miles, have a beer or two and still be gone for ~2 hours. If I do a damn 5k I am out of the house for at least 4. With 3 kids and things to do on the weekend, I would rather skip the pomp and circumstance. Sorry, but that is life.

I'd like to see a swing back to simplicity. I never really experienced the simpler times as I was in HS and college at the time and all of my races were XC or track meets, but I imagine paying $10-$15 bucks to grind it out, slap a few high-fives and then head home is much more fun.

XC dude. It's intense and simple, not crowded, but maybe even a little bit hip. Plus entry fees usually aren't off the charts.

Not quite a millenial (born in '79). Been running on and on off since high school, dabbled in track, mostly to keep in shape for other sports. However, I really got into races 5-6 years ago. I have to agree that the hassle has soured me on these events. Also, I can afford the entry fees, but I would gladly forgo the finisher medal, shirt, and other "swag" for a reduced amount, as some others have mentioned. I know some races do this, but more should do it. I don't care about all that stuff.

Recently did the Shamrock Shuffle. It's a very well-run event, but all those logistics to run 8K.

I'm def more concerned with times than my friends; they think I'm nuts for even caring. I care but not as much as LetRunners or anyone who trains seriously. I top out at like 35 miles per week, but I think it's see if I can still improve as I get older.

In short, I think there's some truth to millenials not caring to test themselves when it comes to running. But I think it's more that the whole business has become carried away with itself.

Bing wrote:

Recently did the Shamrock Shuffle. It's a very well-run event, but all those logistics to run 8K.

Ran it too. Great race. Agree it is a bit overkill for an 8K, but it does give some of the feeling of marathon weekend and morning without the full 26.2.

Carey Pinkowski runs a top notch operation. Both the Shuffle and Marathon are consistent and top notch year after year. So much so that I really don't like doing many other marathons. Chicago is just in a class of its own. Anything else feels like a training run.

Precious Snowflakes wrote:

Is the running boom over? WSJ says so, and it is due to our friends the millennials.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/how-millennials-ended-the-running-boom-1462473195

Discuss

Its word smithing to get you to read the article. To be acute it should race participation has slowed or leveled off. There is a set pool of only so many people that are going to run races, its not endless and growing.You have participation in what I call Ill try it once events, mud runs, color runs etc.

The core though if you dig down may be a truer look if you look at running shoe sales. Its never been better, not even close to what it is now.

You can break this down to fashion sales and technical. In this discussion lets talk technical. Running stores have never been healthier,running shoe companies are all at record sales, start ups, Hoka etc. $100m in 4 years of product that is 100% specific to running. Runners though may not be choosing to run in race ,we have fitness runners,older athletes running again that have no interest in races, runners running to compliment other sports.

The boom is booming just not at the races...

If they chose 2012 instead of 2013 as their starting point they could write an article on the increase in race participation.

Open track/XC meets are the last bastion of the serious runner.

Wait, I thought we hated anyone who wasn't elite but still raced? What's the point of embarrassing yourself with a 2:20 marathon when the elites have already given an interview, posed for photos and headed back to the hotel by the time you cross the finish line?

The competitive running boom stared about 1970 and ended about 1985. This subject has been done to death on LRC. Pretty much everything since then has been following the lead set by Jane Fonda workout video's. More fun and less effort! For most people there's actually nothing wrong with that, except that less effort means less healthy effects, so that, down the road, millenials will be less fit than boomers. Who cares? Modern medicine will fix things anyway.

My only option to excel in sport was running, so I thank my stars that my competitive career ended before the turtles clogged up the sport. Still run. Still love it.

Just a couple of random, unscientific observations:

1. Is it a coincidence that race participation started to drop after the Boston bombing? Not saying that people are staying away due to fear, but it has led some of the larger events to cap their fields and increase prices due to extra spend on security.

2. Social media provides more opportunity for "conspicuous participation". Before Fakebook etc. running was a completely anonymous activity unless you posted race times. Nowadays people get social validation by posting their photos, GPS routes, training logs, etc.

awesome that race participation is falling, so that entry fees might follow and maybe there'll be some race consolidation, which would increase competition at the remaining races. part of the reason is no doubt the complete rip-offs that these races have become. if you're going to charge $50 for a 5k, people are going to expect a lot more entertainment than just painful (for them) trudging down a road. however, it is a shame that millenials are running less, because I doubt that they will get the equivalent exercise in other ways where they have to drive to a class and so forth. Virtues of running include that it can be done anywhere at any time, that it provides a very good workout in a very short time, and that it is not well-suited to using social media during the activity itself, unlike, say, stationary bikes. Millenials and older people too would do well to get off the social media and get outside. Speaking of which, ...

another part of the annoying part of races today is that the everyone gets an award idea means that if you get one, usually something junky even for race winners and top three or masters' winners, you have to stand around for hours waiting, instead of getting back home, changing, eating breakfast, taking a nap, etc. It is a pain and I don't like to subject my family to that so they don't come watch these races. Cut way down on the junk bags and junk awards outside, say, top three and master's, and it would become a more enjoyable experience, and much cheaper.

I see so many posts about absurd race fees. It's true, on any given weekend you can spend an absurd amount on a crappy race if you want to.

But if you go beyond the ones advertising the "biggest" or "most rocking" or themed or other novelty races, there are a lot of options for cheap races. Track clubs, running clubs, church fundraisers, etc., etc. also hold races just about every weekend. I hear people talking about how they only race five times a year because it's so expensive. Surely Minnesota isn't the only state that has lots of club races that are cheap? I run about twenty races a year and most of them are $20 or less. Half marathons are more, and marathons are all expensive now, but they're not crazy if you're paying attention.

I've become a big fan of small races, although they too can be a little hit or miss. Sometimes you have to read between the lines a little to get a feel for whether the course will be accurate and have mile markers, etc.

Look to see who is putting on the race. If it's a small town race but the race director is a local coach or it's a benefit for the local cross country team or something like that, the odds are much higher that it will be a quality event, and usually for a small entry fee.

By far the most competitive races around here belong to the fall cross country series. They're put on by a local running club, usually 4-6 races in the series. They're cheap to enter and fast people come out of the woodwork to run them. Even though plenty of not-as-fast people race as well, and everyone is welcomed with open arms, these are the only open races I can think of that seriously skew the bell curve.

I think it is remarkable that GPS logs are about the most unique content of Facebook users that they produced themselves.