Is the running boom dead?

Significantly so due to the increase in event prices

Randy Wholeway wrote:

Have the masses moved on to yoga and cross fit?

Are you seeing declining numbers at races in your town?

Do not follow the trends and ways of this world.. We run to be strong, to be the best we can be.

My Cross-Fit Friend: I want to run faster. What can I do?

Me: Run more often and run harder.

My Cross-Fit Friend: I don't have time. I have to do cross-fit.

Me: Cut back on CrossFit then.

My Cross-Fit Friend: I can't do that.

Me: *Shrug*

I think the boom peaked after the Boston marathon bombings. Wow, that was a pun and I didn't even mean it. Anyway, popularity was growing for fitness running, marathon participation was up, women were beginning to run in droves, and then Boston really brought the interest in participation to a fever pitch. Since then it can only really decrease, even if still relatively popular.

I think adventure races like Warrior Dash and the Spartan thing moved the novelty away from marathons and pure distance accomplishments toward just accomplishing things advertised as a challenge. That meant anyone just in it for a thrill had a more interesting target. That fad has even died down.

And like another poster said, prices have become ridiculous. It used to be races for runners cost like $5-10. Charity things were like $20. But then in the name of charity places jacked prices up. The big marathons and high prices and then when even half marathons became a hobbyist's challenge those prices escalated to silly prices like $60-80. That made it easier to charge $30 for a charity 5k. The pricing went hand-in-hand with these races being one-off achievements and once-a-year causes. How is a regular runner supposed to handle paying that a couple of times per month? Now imagine you're not even that into racing and you just like doing some running, why would you bother to pay that to race at all? Racing is definitely bust rather than boom right now.

I do think running remains popular, though. It's recognized as a great way to work on fitness no matter who you are. Glance at any city pathway on a nice day and you'll see a near endless line of runners or joggers coming by. But race participation has certainly cooled.

If the running boom is over, why does a BQ keep getting progressively more difficult each year?

But Boston wrote:

If the running boom is over, why does a BQ keep getting progressively more difficult each year?

Good question.

Perhaps there is a core, or niche, of runners continually competing for a limited number of spots for the Boston Marathon. So regardless of the greater culture phenomenon of running as long as their is competition for a limited number of spots qualifying times will become more difficult.

I don't know the answer, but it sounds good.

US road racing participation peaked at 19 million in 2014 and is now 16.9 million for 2017, down from 17.1 in 2016.

The full study shown below is behind a paywall, but it contains this comment.

“While finisher totals continue to fall, however slightly, there are a number of positive signs for the industry,” said Running USA CEO Rich Harshbarger. "As race directors react to declining participation numbers, what we're seeing is more of them increase value and create better experiences for their runners, partners, charities and communities."

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

http://www.runningusa.org/2017-us-road-race-trends

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?

Yes.

Boston is more popular than ever every year because the world has more money, we all do. More can do it, so more do.

Overall, though, entry fees have taken me out of the race game. That, and age. I am much more fit doing a well-rounded routine, not just running. The two or three times a year I DO race it kills me to drop that much cash, when I'd rather go on a long bike ride or something. I know what time I'll run after running all these decades, I don't need a T-shirt or medal, and I'm as social as I'm ever going to be.

Real road races died long ago. I'm only dying now.

Gravy wrote:

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?

Yes.

Don't forget you now get one "free" beer with your race entry.

But Boston wrote:

If the running boom is over, why does a BQ keep getting progressively more difficult each year?

static field size, increasing charity runner spots?

Ha, maybe check out what a BQ was in the early 80's. sub 2:50 for under 40 men.

derp wrote:

Ha, maybe check out what a BQ was in the early 80's. sub 2:50 for under 40 men.

So what?

That doesn't mean the same number of people or more qualified at that time.

What I'm talking about is that right now, each year the cutoff gets lower and lower, because more people are qualifying at faster and faster speeds.

RGK wrote:

Boston is more popular than ever every year because the world has more money, we all do. More can do it, so more do.

Overall, though, entry fees have taken me out of the race game. That, and age. I am much more fit doing a well-rounded routine, not just running. The two or three times a year I DO race it kills me to drop that much cash, when I'd rather go on a long bike ride or something. I know what time I'll run after running all these decades, I don't need a T-shirt or medal, and I'm as social as I'm ever going to be.

Real road races died long ago. I'm only dying now.

How old are you?

I wouldn't say so. It's less popular to "just run" as an activity, but most Crossfitters I know still want to do a 10k or a half on top of their strength training.

RGK wrote:

Boston is more popular than ever every year because the world has more money, we all do. More can do it, so more do.

Overall, though, entry fees have taken me out of the race game. That, and age. I am much more fit doing a well-rounded routine, not just running. The two or three times a year I DO race it kills me to drop that much cash, when I'd rather go on a long bike ride or something. I know what time I'll run after running all these decades, I don't need a T-shirt or medal, and I'm as social as I'm ever going to be.

Real road races died long ago. I'm only dying now.

This, this, this! When I race these days I pretty much know what I'm going to run, there are usually no big surprises (especially on the 'faster than' side of the equation). I don't care if I ever get another tshirt or medal or free beer or a burrito or whatever theflock they're touting these days but I do very much still enjoy seeing my old adversaries out there and trying to beat them or reduce/ increase the gap and then BS'ing after the race. That's the main thing that keeps me racing.

I stopped the local road races when registration got expensive. It's typically $35-$45 for 5ks and $110 for the big half marathons in my area.

Flexi the Cat wrote:

RGK wrote:

Boston is more popular than ever every year because the world has more money, we all do. More can do it, so more do.

Overall, though, entry fees have taken me out of the race game. That, and age. I am much more fit doing a well-rounded routine, not just running. The two or three times a year I DO race it kills me to drop that much cash, when I'd rather go on a long bike ride or something. I know what time I'll run after running all these decades, I don't need a T-shirt or medal, and I'm as social as I'm ever going to be.

Real road races died long ago. I'm only dying now.

How old are you?

52

????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:)