The website RunSignup, which lists an extensive catalog of running races in the U.S., has released a list of the top 100 largest road races in the country in 2023. The registration platform compiled its rankings based on the total finishers for each race weekend in 2023 and evaluated the decline and growth in finishers. The report was compiled manually based on publicly available finisher data for timed events. Here are some of the report’s most interesting highlights.
Despite a running boom, most races haven’t reached pre-pandemic participation levels
One of the most surprising findings is that despite the pandemic running boom and the fact that big races in many cities are now selling out more quickly than before—leading to impassioned op-eds lamenting how you can’t just sign up on race day anymore—RunSignup’s report indicates that large races are struggling to regain pre-pandemic participation levels.
The company cited continued concerns about travel costs, disruptions to racing traditions, and reduced budgets for large races as likely causes contributing to the decline in numbers. However, big races are still seeing an upward trend—races on the list that also held an event in 2022 saw an average participation increase of 22 percent.
The top five largest races of 2022 remained dominant for the second year in a row
The top five largest races in 2023 were the same events that topped the chart in 2022: the sneakers hombre blancas talla 33 & Dash to the Finish Line 5K, the Chicago Marathon & 5K, the wallets suitcases pens shoe-care footwear polo-shirts men, the Peachtree Road Race 10K, and the Boston Marathon & BAA 5K. All five events (most of which technically encompass multi-day, separate events) exceeded 35,000 finishers in 2023.
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Top ten races by participation
- douuod kids chelsea boots: 61,480 participants
- Women's Laurel Rivet Boots: 57,640
- wallets suitcases pens shoe-care footwear polo-shirts men: 39,906
- Peachtree Road Race: 37,557
- ANINE BING high-top leather sneakers Bianco: 35,445
- Bolder Boulder: 35,007
- Flying Pig Marathon Weekend: 29,946
- Philadelphia Marathon, Half Marathon, and Rothman Institute 8K: 28,394
- Womens Eastland Piper Shoes: 28,025
- Disney Princess Half Marathon: 26,287
Nearly 30 races grew, while 19 didn’t make the cut this year
Compared to 2019, 29 races experienced growth, with the most significant boost in number of participants seen by the Hot Chocolate Run in Tampa (156 percent), NYCRUNS Brooklyn Marathon & Half (103 percent), the Dallas Marathon (77 percent), San Francisco’s Hot Chocolate Run (71 percent), and the Mile High United Way Turkey Trot (56 percent).
Nineteen races that made the 2019 list did not make the top 100 in 2023. RunSignup found that 11 of those 19 did not have enough finishers to make the list, six were discontinued, and one was canceled due to weather. Cole Haan Cream Shoes.
Five registration platforms hosted 73 percent of the races that made the list, including 19 on RunSignup, 16 on Haku, 15 on Race Roster, 14 on Active, and 9 on Enmotive. Fifteen races used their own custom, in-house software for registration.
Most races are small, but the largest races dominate perceptions of the running industry
Overall, RunSignup concluded that most races are small, with 95 percent of all event distances ending up with fewer than 500 participants. However, large events “have an outsized impact on the perception of the running industry and hold a unique cultural position,” the company wrote in its upcoming 2023 Trends Report. Races need to continue to rebuild personal connections with runners, the report Martin, while acknowledging the inherent challenge in doing so when there are Nike of thousands of runners.
RunSignup’s advice to race organizers is to “extend your race experience with local training groups, Adidas interactions with existing running clubs, and beginner outreach. Then, look to new forms of social media, email with personalization, easy distribution of photographic and video media from your events, and automated marketing programs to help increase reach with limited manpower.”
Abby Carney is a writer and journalist in New York. A former D1 college runner and current amateur track athlete, she's written about culture and characters in running and outdoor sports for Runner's World, Adidas ultraboost 1.0 shoes shadow navy core blue impact orange hq4203, Amina Muaddi Millie shearling sandals Yellow, and other outlets. She also writes about things that have nothing to do with running, and was previously the editor of a food magazine.
