As 2024 comes to a close, we’re excited to share some key insights from the 150+ races we timed this year, involving over 37,000 participants.
- Average race size: The average size of events we timed grew slightly—by 3%—from 2023 to 2024, based on actual participant registrations. This aligns with our observations that many of our customers experienced growth in participant numbers during this period.
- Gender: The gender distribution remained consistent year-over-year:
- 2023: 59% female, 41% male
- 2024: 58% female, 42% male
- Age groups: The table below highlights the age breakdown for participants in 2023 and 2024. Notably, the percentage of runners under 30 rose to 36% in 2024—a positive trend, as this age group has historically been underrepresented in races nationwide.
| Age Range |
2023 |
2024 |
| <10 |
8% |
7% |
| 10-19 |
14% |
15% |
| 20-29 |
12% |
14% |
| 30-39 |
20% |
20% |
| 40-49 |
19% |
18% |
| 50-59 |
15% |
14% |
| 60-69 |
9% |
9% |
| 70+ |
3% |
3% |
Overall, these numbers are encouraging—races grew, and more younger runners participated. As you plan for your 2025 race, consider leveraging these trends to drive even more success:
- Build on 2024’s growth: Increase your marketing efforts to attract even more participants.
- Focus on younger runners: Target the under-30 age group, as they represent the future of the sport.
- Optimize for female runners: Tailor your advertising to appeal to women, who make up nearly 60% of participants on average.
If you’d like assistance with any of this, feel free to reach out! We’ve helped many races optimize their marketing strategies to achieve measurable growth. |
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