Posted: June 23, 2005

Athletics: State of the Sport: Part II, Road Race Growth and Demographics

The Road Running Information Center reports that U.S. road races grew by an average of 4% in 2004 and had an estimated total of 7,946,000 finishers. Increases occurred at every standard race distance and varied from 1% in the 4 mile, 10K and 12K to 7% in the half-marathon. Part III of this series will examine that growth in more detail.

The gender and age group distribution of U.S. road race finishers have been very consistent over the past 3 years. For example, the percent of masters runners (40 and older) was 41.2% in 2004, 41.1% in 2003 and 41.5% in 2002. The female/male ratio for timed races in 2004 was 46.1/53.9 compared to 47.5/52.5 the previous year. When untimed charity events and fun runs are included, the percent of women in running events increases to 52%, the same as in 2003.

The largest age group for both men and women was 30 to 34 in 2004 followed by 25 to 29 for women and 40 to 44 for men. Women were the majority in the 18 to 29 age group whereas males outnumbered females in the 6 to 17 year old and 35 and older groups. The average (mean) age in timed events was 34.8 years for women and 38.6 for men - similar to 2003 averages.

The chart below summarizes percent of females and median times and median ages for men and women in 2004 timed running events.

Source: Road Running Information Center - RunningUSA.org

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.