Event registration and tech firm RunSignup has released its annual 2025 RaceTrends Report, providing an appraisal of the current state of the mass participation industry in the USA.
RunSignup claims around 50% market share in the USA endurance event registration space. Its data on 2025 indicates that while the rapid growth seen immediately following the pandemic has slowed, participation continues to rise within a stable market.
The report shows that race participation grew by an average of 5% from 2024 to 2025. This follows growth rates of 8% in 2024 and 11% in 2023. Additionally, the industry saw its lowest churn rate since tracking began in 2018; only 3% of 2024 races with more than 500 participants did not take place in 2025.
Key findings from the 2025 report include:
- Seasonal trends: November, driven by ‘Turkey Trot’ events, saw the highest growth at 10%, while the spring months of March, April and May experienced the slowest growth.
- Last-minute registrations: 24% of all registrations occurred during race week, with race day registrations increasing slightly to 3%.
- Event size: The majority of events remain small, with 86% of race weekends hosting fewer than 500 participants. Less than 1% of events exceed 5,000 participants.
- Pricing: Average prices increased across all distances. Marathon entry fees rose by 5%, while 10km prices have seen a 21% increase since 2019.
- Demographics: Participation amongst young adults has returned to pre-pandemic levels, with 18–29 year-olds accounting for 18% of all participants – the highest rate for this age group since 2017.
The report was generated by mining data from more than 97,000 events and 12.2 million registrations, with RunSignup’s platform accounting for at least 50% of the US-based endurance market.
Bob Bickel, Founder and CEO of RunSignup, said “The 2025 data shows a strong market, even as the post-COVID boom slows. What’s working? Family traditions like Turkey Trots, social participation through teams and referral programs, and real-time photos and tracking are driving better race experiences and creating a long-lasting endurance community.”
In 2025 the company also noted a shift in registration habits, with 63% of transactions now taking place on mobile devices and 42% of registrants using Apple Pay or saved credit cards.
The full report is available via the company’s website, and RunSignup will host a ‘State of the Industry’ webinar on February 5, 2026.
