• Subscribe
  • E-Newsletter
  • Media Kit
  • Contact
  • Login
Campus Rec Magazine
  • Sections
    • Columns
    • Facility Development
    • News
    • Operations
    • Programming
    • Rec of the Month
    • Staff Development
    • Well-being
    • Profiles
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • E-Newsletter
    • Contact Us
  • On-Demand
  • Supplier Insights
    • Brand Voice
    • Supplier News
    • Supplier Voice
  • Podcast
  • Webinars
  • Education
    • CR Leadership Summit
    • CR Base Camp
    • Pickleball Innovators
  • Buyer’s Guide
No Result
View All Result
  • Sections
    • Columns
    • Facility Development
    • News
    • Operations
    • Programming
    • Rec of the Month
    • Staff Development
    • Well-being
    • Profiles
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • E-Newsletter
    • Contact Us
  • On-Demand
  • Supplier Insights
    • Brand Voice
    • Supplier News
    • Supplier Voice
  • Podcast
  • Webinars
  • Education
    • CR Leadership Summit
    • CR Base Camp
    • Pickleball Innovators
  • Buyer’s Guide
No Result
View All Result
Campus Rec Magazine
No Result
View All Result
Home Programming Fitness

The Running Boom: Programming for New Pandemic Runners

Brittany Howard by Brittany Howard
May 27, 2021
in Fitness
0
The Running Boom: Programming for New Pandemic Runners
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedIn

Programming for the “running boom.”

A recent survey conducted by RunRepeat asked 3,961 current runners how many of them began running during the pandemic. The survey aimed to learn more about running motivations, participating in races and how the runners differ from those who began before the pandemic.

Here are the key findings:

  • 28.76% of current runners started running during the pandemic.
  • These new runners are 19.82% less likely to participate in in-person races over the next 12 months.
  • New runners are 115.37% more in favor of virtual races than pre-pandemic runners.
  • Motives for running are changing. Physical health is the primary motivation for 72% of new runners. This is up 18.03% from runners who began running before the pandemic.

Nick Rizzo, the fitness research director at RunRepeat, said the current situation poses a major opportunity for any recreation center who has already been tackling member engagement by offering programs like outdoor classes and bootcamps.

“In the same way you can offer running events, you can simply start by gauging what interests your current members,” said Rizzo. “Although running may seem like an obvious answer, options like weekend hiking or walking groups might come out as a major winner as well.”

In the next 12 months, 50.04% of new pandemic runners plan to participate in a race. This is in comparison to the 63.08% of pre-pandemic runners. Currently, these new runners are 20.67% less likely to participate in any form of race, in-person or virtual. And of these new runners looking to participate in a race, 68.42% plan to race in-person in comparison to the 85.34% of pre-pandemic runners.

running boom

When it comes to virtual races, 31.58% of new-pandemic runners are looking to race virtually instead. They are 115.37% more likely to run a virtual race than their pre-pandemic counterparts.

Matt Beck, the associate director for the department of wellness at Oklahoma State University, said virtual runs took advantage of people’s inability to use recreation facilities during the shutdown and appealed to a person’s desire to challenge themselves and compete in something.

“Our team put on virtual 5Ks in the fall and spring. One is being planned for the upcoming year. It’s much easier to facilitate than the logistics required for an in-person run, and seemingly just as satisfying,” said Beck. “Additionally, indoor tracks in recreation facilities can often be a forgotten feature. Departments should highlight that amenity for runners to utilize in the winter months or in poor weather conditions.”

 

Read the full report on the running boom from RunRepeat.

Stay up to date on industry trends, best practices, news and more.

Tags: campus reccampus recreationfeaturedpandemicprogrammingrunningrunning boomvirtual races
Previous Post

How to Support Mental Health in Your Rec Center

Next Post

Swimming and the Benefits of Water

Brittany Howard

Brittany Howard

Brittany is an editor at Peake Media. Reach her at brittany@peakemedia.com

Related Posts

Outdoor Fitness
Fitness

How Outdoor Fitness Can Transform Campus Recreation

May 21, 2025
Fitness

How to Use the Most Popular Fitness Trends in Campus Rec

April 10, 2025
hiring for group fitness programs
Columns

Spring Into Success: How to Streamline Hiring for Group Fitness Programs

March 25, 2025
equipment trends
Fitness

Weighing in on Equipment Trends

March 19, 2025
weight room renovation
Facility Development

Duke University Completes Weight Room Renovation to Enhance Student Fitness

February 20, 2025
faculty and staff small group training
Fitness

Faculty and Staff Small Group Training Offers Unique Revenue Stream and Fosters Belonging at Tulane University

February 6, 2025
Next Post
swimming

Swimming and the Benefits of Water

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get Updates in your inbox

Stay up to date on industry trends, best practices, news and more.

Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn
Campus Rec Logo

The premier business resource for college and university recreation centers.

The Current Issue

May/June 2025

May/June 2025

Browse

  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • E-Newsletter
  • Podcast
  • Media Kit
  • Contact

© 2025 Campus Rec Magazine. Published by Peake Media.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Sections
    • Columns
    • Facility Development
    • News
    • Operations
    • Programming
    • Rec of the Month
    • Staff Development
    • Well-being
    • Profiles
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • E-Newsletter
    • Contact Us
  • On-Demand
  • Supplier Insights
    • Brand Voice
    • Supplier News
    • Supplier Voice
  • Podcast
  • Webinars
  • Education
    • CR Leadership Summit
    • CR Base Camp
    • Pickleball Innovators
  • Buyer’s Guide

© 2025 Campus Rec Magazine. Published by Peake Media.