It highlights some pretty fantastic statistics and effectively illustrates how more and more people are joining the ranks of one of the fastest growing athletic communities.
Here are some of my favorite stats:
170%
The competitive road race has seen a 170% increase
in participation since 1991, from 5.2 to 13.9 million.
42%
Half marathons are the fastest growing racing event,
comprising 10% of the top timed road races in 2000 and 42% in 2011.
47%
Since 2000, the number of U.S. marathon
finishers has increased by 47%.
720
The number of marathons has more than tripled in the U.S.
since 1985, surging from just 200 races to 720 in 2011.
You can see the full infographic here.
I think it's so cool to see how popular running has become, and how fast the sport continues to grow!
What was the first distance race you completed?
My first official race was the Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon in June 2011.
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| VA Wine Country Half Marathon 6/4/11 with Team Challenge |
Woooooooo go Team Challenge! I have Crohn's and have done 2 halfs w TC- th Va WC and Nashville Womens Half, both last year. I'm doing Chicago this year. Are you still involved? (I'm a new reader so I may be able to answer this myself before too long lol)
ReplyDeleteLoved my experience with TC! Such an amazing program. I've only done the VA Wine Country half with them, but am still very familiar with the team that we have in New England and have friends that are involved nearly every season. Debating doing another through the program next year - either Chicago, Vegas or the Napa to Sonoma half. Good luck with your training for Chicago!
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