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Posted Wednesday, 14 July, 2004 For the first time since USA Track & Field began tracking event size (1987), total finishers in U.S. road races declined from 2002 to 2003. It was a modest decline of only 1% but it does ring warning bells for race organizers of certain types of events. It was not surprising that reported finisher numbers declined in charity runs because most of the Race for the Cure events changed to an optional fee-based timing service which the majority of their entrants did not select. So even though approximately 60% of the charity runs had an increase in participants, finishers submitted to the USATF RRIC from those events were significantly lower than in 2002. In order to compare 2003 figures in a meaningful way, all untimed charity events were not included in the overall growth trend calculations presented in this report. The table below illustrates that with the exception of the 4 mile, race growth was influenced by the distance of the event with 15 km and 10 miles being the approximate dividing line. Estimated Number of 2003 Finishers in U.S. Events by Distance % change in same events
The USATF RRIC examined data and spoke to race producers and running leaders from different parts of the country to determine if the pattern of declines in shorter events was a national phenomenon. Michigan and South Carolina had better growth figures (up 9% and 15% respectively) and others were below the national average such as California (down 8%) and Minnesota (down 9%) but there was much agreement on which factors affected race growth the most. Some of the factors mentioned were the same as a decade ago but the reasons were more complex and the factor cited for affecting race declines the most – runner training programs – wasn’t even mentioned in 1994. Reasons for Fewer Road Race Finishers in 1994 (all distances) Reasons for Fewer Road Race Finishers in Shorter Distance Events in 2003 Runner Training Programs – both Cause and Cure for Race Declines Adult training programs are more popular than ever. In Minnesota alone there are many groups associated with the national Team in Training program as well as others and enrollments continue to increase. According to local runners, these programs emphasize training with the group which satisfies the participant’s social and athletic needs. In other states, runners said that it was impossible to fit races into a weekend that often had the required long training run. On the other hand, participants are often encouraged to run the local 25K or half-marathon that fits in well with preparation schedule for a particular marathon. The number two reason for declines – too many events – has been a factor for a number of years. Julia Emmons, director of the Atlanta Track Club, reports that there have been 150 races in her city every year for 20 years. In other regions, this is a newer problem. The number of smaller 5Ks in particular has divided the race fields in many areas. In 2003, 596 new 5K courses were certified, increasing the number at that distance to 4,962 as of March 2004 – more than 50% of the 9,530 total. When there are several shorter distance events every weekend it becomes more important to offer good value and something special. Components of Success Two short distance race models that had significant success in 2003 were the Nike Run Hit Wonder 5K and 10K and the events produced by Sports Backers in Richmond Virginia – Ukrop’s Monument 10K and NTELOS 8K. It is not a coincidence that both organizing groups produced training programs which were geared to their own shorter races. The Nike Run Hit Wonder began with a sold-out 10,000 participant event in 2003 in L.A. and has since expanded to 20,000 in L.A. this April and similar Run Hit Wonders scheduled for New York (sold out in 30 days), Portland and Chicago. They have embraced Elite Racing’s music along the course format (featuring “One Hit Wonder” bands) and have had strong promotional support including an attractive web site (www.nikerunhitwonder.com). Their “free and fun conditioning runs” were held at varied and interesting venues such as Niketowns, Starbucks, bars, restaurants and even the Santa Monica Senior Center. To further enhance the promotional and individual fitness objectives of the program, runners were given frequent runner cards which entitled participants who attended 9 training runs, brought a friend and tried out a pair of Nikes to get a free race entry and an invitation to a VIP event a week before the race. Race organizers Jason Cohn and Ry Benevides said that the training programs which had 5000 participants at 6 sites in 2003 and 12,000 runners at 12 sites this year, were an important component of the event’s success. They reported that approximately half of the participants had never entered a race before and the average age for both males and females was 31. Nike will also use training to support and promote the new Nike 26.2 Marathon and Half-Marathon for women to be held in San Francisco on October 24. The program is being run by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. The Ukrop’s Monument 10K has had steady increases since its inception with reported finisher totals of 2,184 (’00), 3,848 (’01), 5,360 (’02), 7,469 (’03) and 11,345 (’04). For the last two years it has reached its registration limit more than 5 weeks prior to the March event. The NTELOS 8K which is part of the successful SunTrust Richmond Marathon weekend in November, has also grown since 2000 with 2,377 finishers in 2002 and 3,227 finishers in 2003. According to Sports Backers Director of Events, Tracey Russell, the first Ukrop’s in 2000 had all the “bells and whistles” including music along the course and a great post race festival. In 2002 they added a 10-week training team for the 10K in conjunction with branches of the YMCA which had 890 registrants. In 2003 the training group had grown to 2,802. They also had support from their NBC affiliate to promote the training aspect. Russell believes that the successful training team has been a significant help to both the 10K and the NTELOS 8K. The training program in the spring introduces a new group of runners to a fun event and worthwhile fitness activity and many return to enter the 8K in the fall. Sports Backers also provides training for the marathon and has 495 registered for this year’s 25-week program. Although both the Nike and Sports Backers events have many interesting and unique features, they each have several components for success that have been noted in other thriving events as summarized below. Reasons for Road Race Growth for Shorter Distances in 2003 Race producers should do well if they include at least a few of the factors listed above in shorter distance events. Just as charity runs supplemented the “competitive race” model and fun and music have replaced sweat and PRs, an emphasis on fitness may be the key to race growth in the near future. Race directors are already noticing more younger women entering their events, for example, that appear to be motivated more by weight loss objectives than collecting money for a charity or running fast times. For the 2003 Largest Races lists, go to: http://www.runningusa.org/cgi/index_largest_races.pl Part I: the Running Industry (see wire 53) http://www.runningusa.org/media/wire2004/Wire2004-53.html#story1 Part II: the American Runner, see wire 54) http://www.runningusa.org/media/wire2004/Wire2004-54.html#story1 Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director Latest articles in Race Promotion
 > Bringing Up the Rear: How Late Should a Race Course Remain Open?The sport is booming. The walls of intimidation have been torn down. Anyone willing to make a commitment and accept the sacrifices involved can do it. Races are closing out at record pace, especially at the marathon and half-marathon distances. Life is good in this business. Also: > Take our survey Also: > DMSE Home  > Immediate GratificationAwarding Excellence Is Not Always As Simple As It May Seem Also: > DMSE Home Also: > Please take our survey on awards > 2005 Race Surveys |
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