Event registration and tech platform, RunSignup, has released its annual RaceTrends Report providing an evaluation of the state of the endurance events industry in the USA.
The report finds that race participation (via US events using the RunSignup platform) grew on average by 8% in 2024. RunSignup adds that, with 2023 participation levels trailing 2019 by just 1%, this indicates the average race has exceeded their 2019 participation rate.
Additionally, just 4% of 2023 races with more than 500 participants did not take place in 2024 – the lowest churn rate RunSignup has reported since it began tracking the stat in 2018.
The report was built by mining RunSignup’s registration and finisher data. It is estimated that the data on RunSignup accounts for approximately 45-50% of the US endurance market. The data in RunSignup’s 2024 RaceTrends report includes more than 85,000 race events and 10.8 million registrations.
Additional key takeaways include:
- Large races with more than 5,000 participants grew an average of 5% in 2024 after showing a slower recovery than smaller events
- Just 17% of participants from 2023 repeated the same event in 2024, with half marathons seeing only 12% of participants repeat
- Prices increased across all race distances for the second year, with 10K prices going up 5% and marathon prices increasing 1%
- Young adult runners appear to be returning to racing, with 16% of 2024 participants between 18-29
- 24% of all registrations came on race week, illustrating a very slight shift away from procrastination in terms of sign-up decisions
- Easy registration remains key, with 61% of all transactions taking place on a mobile device and 35% of registrants opting to pay via a saved credit card or Apple Pay
- RunSignup’s RaceDay CheckIn app saw increased adoption, with 43% of races using the app to check-in 50% of participants
RunSignup CEO and Founder, Bob Bickel, said “Our 2024 numbers show enthusiasm and momentum in the endurance industry.
“We encourage race directors and timers to keep the gas on to capitalize on the moment. Continue marketing to potential new participants through referral programs, email marketing, and local running clubs, and incentivize participants to return with loyalty programs and interactive race day experience. We are looking forward to another good year in 2025.”
