Skip to content
Toggle menu
SportsTravel SportsTravel

Breaking News, Podcasts and Analysis Serving People who Organize, Manage and Host Sports Events

Primary Menu
  • News
    • Hosts & Suppliers
    • Recently Awarded
    • Sports Organizations
    • Sports Venues
    • Sponsors & Media
  • IN DEPTH
    • Editor’s Picks
    • On Assignment
    • Perspectives
    • Technology in Sports
  • Podcasts
  • Sports
    • CATEGORY
      • Amateur Sports
      • Youth Sports
      • Collegiate Sports
      • Professional Sports
      • Olympic Sports
      • Paralympic Sports
      • National Governing Body
      • Adaptive Sports
      • Sustainability
      • Water Sports
      • Winter Sports
      • Women’s Sports
    • INDIVIDUAL SPORTS
      • Baseball
      • Basketball
      • Bowling
      • Cycling
      • Football
      • Golf
      • Gymnastics
      • Hockey
      • Lacrosse
      • Motorsports
      • Pickleball
      • Rugby
      • Running
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • Swimming
      • Tennis
      • Track & Field
      • Triathlon
      • Volleyball
      • Wrestling
  • Esports
    • Esports News
    • Esports Guide
    • EsportsTravel Summit
  • Resources
    • Bid Bowl
    • Submission Form
      • About Bid Bowl
    • Destination Spotlight
    • Destination Guides
    • Downloadable Guides
    • Venue Guides
    • Media Kit
      • Media Kit
      • 2023 Editorial Calendar
    • Digital Edition
  • Subscribe
    • Subscribe to E-Newsletter
  • EVENTS
    • TEAMS CONFERENCE & EXPO
    • TEAMS Europe
    • EsportsTravel Summit
    • SportsTravel Road Trip
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Instagram


Home > Latest News > Running USA Survey Shows Positive Trends for 2021 Participation

Running USA Survey Shows Positive Trends for 2021 Participation

After drop in participation in 2020, respondents say they'll be more active this year

Posted On : January 27, 2021 By : Matt Traub
Running USA logo

Nearly eight in 10 runners in a Running USA survey said they participated in fewer events in 2020 due to the coronavirus but a majority still plan to be back at events this summer, according to a survey compiled by analyst Ashlyn Modlin and presented during a Running USA webinar on Tuesday.

The 2020 Global Runner Survey shows 78 percent of respondents ran in fewer events in 2020 and 94 percent were unable to participate in an event they planned to run in because of COVID-related cancellations. Eighty-seven percent believe that COVID-related cancellations will continue in 2021 and disrupt their scheduled competition plans.

Survey responses were collected from more than 5,000 runners from November through mid-December 2020.

“You can’t avoid talking about COVID-19 and the impact it’s had on runners,” Modlin said. “The runners who participated in this survey are no different.”

The negative news was countered by the future outlook. Sixty-six percent of those surveyed said they would participate in more events in 2021 than they did in 2020. Twenty percent said they wanted a vaccine to be readily available to the general public before they competed again.

Modlin added that in every type of event — whether a 10K, 5K, half-marathon, marathon, relay, trail running, ultra marathon and mud/obstacle race — respondents predicted that they would participate in a 2021 event in higher numbers than 2020.

“That is indicative of the level of excitement that runners have in being able to get back to in-person events,” Modlin said. “The data really shows us that there are lots of positive signs ahead for the running industry.”

Diversity was also a big topic of the survey. Modlin noted that the respondents were overwhelmingly white and affluent given the sport’s demographics. Among the recommendations from Modlin in the topic of diversity were to find ways to make entry fees more accessible to non-Whites and those for whom cost is a barrier to entry. Race organizers can also do things such as updating the imagery they use with promotional materials and social media to show more diversity and holding events in areas where a more diverse set of athletes live.

“Running USA is 100 percent all in with continuing the (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives in our sport and our events as far as making events more open for participants,” said Christine Bowen, Running USA’s vice president of programming, partnerships and operations. “It’s part of our strategic efforts going forward.”

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email
Posted in: Hosts & Suppliers, Latest News, Running, Sports OrganizationsTagged : Running,Running USA

Post navigation

Bodyarmor Sponsors State Games of North Carolina
USA Gymnastics and FloSports Sign Streaming Deal

Follow us on Twitter

SportsTravel Follow

Breaking News, Podcasts and Analysis Serving People who Organize, Manage and Host Sports Events. Producers of the TEAMS Conference & Expo.

SportsTravel
sportstravel SportsTravel @sportstravel ·
4h

.@PTimeSports and @SnapdragonStdm will host the return of Tour Águila to Southern California with a Liga MX clash between @ClubAmerica and @xolos_en on March 26.
https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/club-america-xolos-de-tijuana-to-meet-in-san-diego/

Reply on Twitter 1623416101517561856 Retweet on Twitter 1623416101517561856 Like on Twitter 1623416101517561856 Twitter 1623416101517561856
sportstravel SportsTravel @sportstravel ·
5h

.@CPSportsCenter in Sandusky, Ohio, has announced details for the first phase of a planned competitive gaming development at the sports complex expected to open in May.
https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/cedar-point-sports-center-adds-esports-venue/

Reply on Twitter 1623406356115111936 Retweet on Twitter 1623406356115111936 Like on Twitter 1623406356115111936 Twitter 1623406356115111936
sportstravel SportsTravel @sportstravel ·
6h

Primetime Sports and Snapdragon Stadium will host the return of Tour Águila to Southern California with a Liga MX clash between Club América and Xolos de Tijuana on March 26. https://wp.me/paJznw-duX

Reply on Twitter 1623381395627286532 Retweet on Twitter 1623381395627286532 Like on Twitter 1623381395627286532 Twitter 1623381395627286532
sportstravel SportsTravel @sportstravel ·
9h

The organizing committee @Paris2024 has unveiled the look of the Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games as well as the pictograms of the sports disciplines for next year's event. https://wp.me/paJznw-dvl

Reply on Twitter 1623340878461820928 Retweet on Twitter 1623340878461820928 Like on Twitter 1623340878461820928 Twitter 1623340878461820928
Load More

sportstravel

We are on location for the next few days at the #s We are on location for the next few days at the #superbowl to do some interviews and reporting on the scene in the buildup to Eagles and Chiefs on Sunday. Be sure to follow along!
Pro Bowl Games 2023 #probowl #football #flagfootb Pro Bowl Games 2023

#probowl #football #flagfootball #lasvegas @allegiantstadium @vegas @nfl #fans
There's so much to discover at the new Virginia Be There's so much to discover at the new Virginia Beach Sports Center! 285,000 square feet of convertible space can accommodate 12 basketball courts, 24 volleyball courts, nine field hockey courts, and a 200-meter hydraulically banked track—and it can hold up to 5,000 spectators to watch the action.
SportsTravel is on location in Philadelphia for th SportsTravel is on location in Philadelphia for the @unitedsoccercoaches Convention that starts tomorrow and lasts throughout the week. We’re looking forward to the next few days of connecting with friends old and new on location.
CES 2023 is going strong in Las Vegas. CES 2023 is going strong in Las Vegas.
Virginia Beach may be famous for its gorgeous outd Virginia Beach may be famous for its gorgeous outdoor spaces, but the city’s newest sports facility makes it a pleasure to be indoors. The @vbsportscenter is your premier sports facility in Virginia Beach, offering high-quality basketball, volleyball, field hockey, track & field facilities, and plenty of room for your team to shine. Find out more at https://vbsportscenter.com
Michigan won’t go away. What an instant classic. Michigan won’t go away. What an instant classic.
The TCU faithful have had a lot to cheer about in The TCU faithful have had a lot to cheer about in the first half.
The College Football Playoff kicks off with the fi The College Football Playoff kicks off with the first semifinal between TCU and Michigan at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.
Some sights and sounds from the Rivalry Series gam Some sights and sounds from the Rivalry Series game between Team USA and Team Canada on December 15.
Hilary Knight tied the game for Team USA in the th Hilary Knight tied the game for Team USA in the third period of a Rivalry Series game with Team Canada on December 15.
Michelle Lupo, the business development manager fo Michelle Lupo, the business development manager for the @northstarmeets Sports Division, moderated a session today at the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism, featuring Kara Bachman from the Chicago Sports Commission, Curtis Francois from World Wide Technology Raceway and John Groh from the Rockford Area CVB. Thank you for the opportunity to talk about sports-related travel!

@chisportscomm @wwtraceway @gorockford #travel #tourism #sportstravel #sportsbiz #sportsbusiness
The Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok kicks off wi The Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok kicks off with a 2 a.m. start Sunday to give runners the best conditions possible across the city. The Expo is taking place at Royal Paragon Hall, where runners can pick up their bibs and prepare for the race.

#marathon #running #sportsevents #sportstourism #sportstravel @tourismthailand
Thank you to @worldathletics and Mass Participatio Thank you to @worldathletics and Mass Participation World for the chance for SportsTravel Executive Editor and Publisher Jason Gewirtz to present the latest data on sports-related travel to delegates at the World Athletics Global Running Conference in Bangkok. Friday’s schedule also included remarks from the prime minister of Thailand and the country’s sports and tourism minister, who emphasized the importance of sports events to the nation’s economy and quality of life.

#athletics #thailand #bangkok #running #sportstravel #sportstourim @tourismthailand
Love high speed sports? We are at the @ibsfsliding Love high speed sports? We are at the @ibsfsliding World Cup event in Park City at @utaholympicpark this weekend. Friday morning’s action was the women’s monobob event, won by American Kaillie Humphries. Scroll through to see the #bobsled in action at full speed, then slow motion, and hear from Humphries after her win.
SportsTravel is in Bangkok, Thailand, this week mo SportsTravel is in Bangkok, Thailand, this week moderating sessions and presenting on sports-related travel at the @worldathletics Global Running Conference, including an opening day session on government relations in sports events featuring @sport_singapore, Portas Consulting, @laliga and @houstonsports_janis from the @hc_hsa who appeared virtually from Doha where she is attending the World Cup.
#sportstourism #sportstravel #mpw22 #wagrc
Winner buys dinner! When you bring your sports eve Winner buys dinner! When you bring your sports event to World Equestrian Center – Ocala, you can refuel with something heavenly from seven different on-site restaurants. From pub burgers and #taco salads to fine dining, WEC has a #winning option for everyone.
Twickenham Stadium in London is the largest rugby Twickenham Stadium in London is the largest rugby union stadium in the world, seating 82,000. The home of England Rugby, it is owned and operated by the Rugby Football Union and hosts events year round. 

#rugby #rugbyunion #twickenham @twickenhamstadium
Black in a sea of orange: the courage of the oppos Black in a sea of orange: the courage of the opposing fans.

@raiders @broncos @nfl #fans #raiderfans #broncofans @empowerfieldatmilehigh
One of the NFL’s best traditions is the @broncos One of the NFL’s best traditions is the @broncosthunderstorm skydivers who jump into Empower Field at Mile High before every @broncos game.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • Club América, Xolos de Tijuana to Meet in San Diego
  • Check Out The Proving Grounds
  • Cedar Point Sports Center Adds Esports Venue
  • Las Vegas Approves F1 Race Contract Through 2032
  • Paris 2024 Unveils Pictograms, Branding for Games
  • 2023 WWE SummerSlam Headed to Detroit
  • USA Cycling Bringing Championship Event to Pennsylvania
  • 2024 U.S. Olympic Boxing Trials Heads to Louisiana
Sports Travel Magazine

About Us

Since 1997, SportsTravel magazine has served the sports‐related travel and event industry. It is the only publication written and designed to serve the people who organize, manage and host sporting events of all types at all levels.

  • Subscribe to E-Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • SportsTravel Foundation
  • Supplied Content
  • Privacy
  • Terms

NORTHSTAR TRAVEL MEDIA SITES

  • Northstar Meetings Group
  • Meetings & Conventions
  • Meetings & Conventions Asia
  • Meetings & Conventions China
  • Successful Meetings
  • Incentive
  • Meeting News
  • Retail Travel
  • Travel Technology
  • Corporate Travel
  • Hotel Investment
  • Data Products
  • See All Northstar Brands

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Sports ETA

Destinations International
Northstar Travel Media LLC Copyright © 2023 by Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000
scroll to top