Posted: October 17, 2005

Business of Sport: Runner's World to Increase Rate Base for 10th Straight Year on Heels of Record 2005 Performance

Ad Revenue Up for the Third Straight Year

NEW YORK - (Oct. 11, 2005) - Runner's World VP / Publisher Andrew R. Hersam has announced that the magazine will increase its rate base from 600,000 to 615,000 beginning with the January 2006 issue, the 10th straight year that Runner's World will increase its rate base and a jump of more than 18% in just three years.

The increase coincides with the closing of the upcoming December issue, which will be the biggest December issue in the magazine's 39-year history at close to 59 ad pages and more than $4.7 million in PIB ad revenue. For the year, Runner's World will close with a record $56.4 million in PIB revenue and nearly 696 ad pages, an increase of nearly 30% in revenue and close to 19% in pages over year-end 2004 ($43.6 million, 589 pages), which had also been a record.

This marks the third straight year that Runner's World ad revenue has grown by 30% and ad pages have grown by more than 10%. In addition, 11 of Runner's World's 12 monthly issues in 2005 set all-time performance records for their respective months, with the June 2005 issue (72.4 pages, $5.6 million) marking the biggest issue in the magazine's history.

"By any measurement, this has been the greatest year our magazine has ever had," said Hersam. "Beginning with our two National Magazine Award nominations, continuing with 11 record issues and culminating with our third straight record annual ad performance, this has been a year to be exceptionally proud of.

"As we enter our 40th year of publication in 2006, there are no signs that this momentum will slow. Running is white hot and continuing to grow, and (VP/Editor-In-Chief) David Willey and his team have created an editorial product that is peerless in its service and storytelling. We also have the most desirable audience in marketing - the youngest, most affluent and most active readership of any magazine published. It just doesn't get any better."

Runner's World's rate base most recently jumped from 520,000 in 2003 to 575,000 in 2004 and 600,000 this year. The streak of ten straight increases began in 1997, when it jumped from 430,000 to 440,000.

Single-copy sales also continue to grow for Runner's World, which had its best-ever year at newsstand in 2004 with nearly 950,000 copies sold. Through the June 2005 ABC report, single-copy sales were tracking nearly 5% higher than last year (85,925), with the January 2005 issue marking the biggest-selling issue (109,586) in history.

About Rodale's Runner's World
Recognized as the worldwide authority on running information, the mission of Rodale's Runner's World is to inform, advise and motivate runners of all ages and abilities. Currently, Runner's World, a Running USA Founding Member, publishes eight international editions in 10 countries, plus a special bi-annual teen running publication, High School Runner. Runner's World's companion website, RunnersWorld.com, is the largest running community on the Internet, featuring interactive, searchable content.

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.