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Those who want to be able to add
a few extra statistics to go
along with a track bid proposal
or a promotional package for a
running track company might be
interested in the release of
Running USA’s
2011 National Runner Survey.
The survey is a comprehensive
look at the demographics,
lifestyle, habits and product
preferences of the running
population nationwide. It took
into account the data provided
by more than 11,000 respondents;
these people represent what are
known as ‘core runners:’ active
adult participants who tend to
enter running events and train
year-round.
Some of the more interesting
factoids: 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%). Surveyed 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%). Core runners train
year-round and report
running/jogging an average of
213 days and logging nearly
1,269 miles per year. (Compare
that to figures from Club
Industry Magazine and American
Sports Data, which notes the
average home-gym user exercises
70 days during the year).
Something new on the survey is
the surge in popularity of
marathons. U.S. marathons in
2010 recorded an all-time high
of 507,000 finishers, which is
an 8.6% increase over 2009, and
the second-largest increase in
the past 25 years. (In 2009,
participation in marathons
surged by 9.9%).
Running USA attributed the
explosion in marathon popularity
to a variety of factors:
availability of training
programs (both charity and
non-charity driven), the
challenge of running 26.2 miles,
more women running marathons,
and the fact that marathons are
fun, well-organized community
events.
Source:
www.runningusa.org |
