Return to top / Return to main page

This year's State of the Sport report by USA Track & Field's Road Running Information Center examines the three primary parts of the American running world - (I) the industry; (II) the participant; and (III) the road race.

The industry, individual runners and race participants are reaping the benefits of a national focus on fitness and performance. Sales of running-related clothing continue to grow at a faster rate than any other sports' clothing apparel, and running publications are showing continued growth.

Editor's note: The number of U.S. road race finishers has increased by 60% since 1993. Marathon training programs also show an expansive trend. Ironically, as a result of this emphasis on long distance training and many new events, some shorter road races have seen decreases. Race organizations will need to recalibrate their plans as the sport evolves in order to maximize their potential.

State of the Sport Part I: the Running Industry

Running Strong Component of Recovering Sporting Goods Industry

Apparel and Shoe Sales
The U.S. sporting goods industry as defined by SGMA International's "Recreation Market Report" released on June 29 totaled $68.6 billion in 2003 compared to $68.3 in 2002 and $66.9 in 2001. The largest category, sports apparel, experienced a slight decline in sales to $22.8 billion while athletic footwear increased by 4.2% to $9.73 billion. The SGMA numbers are based on manufacturer's shipments (including imports) in the U.S. market and are expressed in wholesale dollar values.

Within this relatively flat market, running products have performed well. The retail sales figures tracked in "The Sporting Goods Market in 2004" by the National Sporting Goods Association also documented a decline in purchases of athletic and sport clothing from 2002 to 2003. Yet the value of clothing purchased for running and jogging ($651,100,000) grew by 10%- the largest increase of all sports tracked in the clothing category.

According to the same NSGA report, sales of running and jogging shoes grew for the fifth consecutive year with 35,981,000 pairs purchased (up 6%) for a total of $1,802,014,000 (up 4%). The value of track shoes increased by 9% to $40,165,000 whereas trail running shoe dollars declined by 9% to $23,986,000.

Vendors and Manufacturers
The most popular type of vendor for running/jogging shoes reported by NSGA continues to be the specialty athletic footwear store (21.4% of units and 28.3% of dollars). The average retail price of running/jogging shoes in 2003 was $50.08 compared to $50.99 in 2002. The highest average price paid for running/jogging shoes in 2003 ($66.90) came from mail order sources which accounted for only 2.2% of the total units.

Nike, USA Track & Field's National Team Sponsor, had the largest market share in the running/jogging shoe category with 33% according to the NSGA 2003 Brand Share Report and the manufacturer with the greatest increase in share was New Balance -18.8% in 2003 compared to 16.7% in 2002. The top four U.S. shoe-centered companies listed in order of 2003 revenues in the June issue of SGMA's "Sports Edge" were Nike ($10.697 billion), adidas America ($7.4 billion), Reebok ($3.4853 billion) and Puma ($1.5991 billion). Fourth-quarter earnings reported by Nike increased by 24% in part because of popularity of the Shox running shoes and an improved relationship with their primary customer, Footlocker.

Nike also joined other manufacturers and vendors who are experiencing substantial profits in 2004. Sales in the quarter which ended May 31 climbed 17 percent to $3.49 billion from $2.99 billion. Brooks' year-to-date domestic sales through May 2004 reportedly grew 34.7% in the specialty running retail channel, and overall company sales grew more than 33.2%, when compared to the same timeframe in 2003.

One of the most successful athletic specialty retailers, Finish Line, had revenues of $757.7 million in 2003 and reported a 24% increase in net sales for the first quarter of 2004. Finish Line CEO Alan Cohen had the following to say about how the evolving sport has affected sales at the company's 550 stores. "At Finish Line we are seeing a resurgence of interest in the running category for performance footwear by our customers. We believe this resurgence will be further enhanced by the introductions of new and exciting products and marketing campaigns from key athletic vendors in conjunction with the upcoming Olympics."

Running media
News is also good from the print media sector of the sport. Carol Lasseter Rice, Publisher of Running Times reports that circulation for 2003 was up over 12% and 2004 should be higher as well. Also, web traffic to runningtimes.com in 2003 was 100% greater than 2002 and advertising revenue in 2004 is more than 5% ahead of last year.

According to President Larry Eder, the Running Network has added four publications, for a total of 31 in 2004. Sales this year are ahead of 2003 by 11% and 1.6 to 2 million individuals visit runningnetwork.com each month. He attributes growth in the U.S. to the refocus by the industry on running footwear - especially the authentic and real heritage products promoted by ASICS, Nike, New Balance, Reebok and Brooks - and the youth market.

Runner's World ad pages in 2003 were up 12.6% over 2002 according to PIB (Publishers Information Bureau), and for the first six months of 2004, ad pages are up an impressive 20.4% over the same time period in 2003. In recognition of the magazine's successful circulation management efforts, Runner's World recently earned the top Circulation Excellence Award in the 400,000 - 999,999 size category for consumer magazines.

Future Reports
Part II describes the American runner and compares today's participants to those of 1993 and 1998.
Part III examines trends in U.S. road races and presents the largest races lists for 2003.

Sources
NSGA = National Sporting Goods Association. To obtain information on any of the NSGA publications cited above email info@nsga.org, phone (847) 296-6742 or go to: www.nsga.org
SGMA International = Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. To obtain information on the SGMA publication cited above go to: www.sgma.com

Return to top / Return to main page

Contact: Tandy Fleming, Event Director, (423) 245-8311; flemingacb@charter.net

Women's Defending Champ Skvortsova Will Return to Crazy 8's
Strong Russian Contingent in Women's Race

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - (July 7, 2004) - If you can speak Russian, you might be able to understand the chatter among the top-seeded women runners as they stand on the starting line of the 2004 Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8's 8K Run. Race organizers announced today that Silvia Skvortsova from Russia will return to defend her title, along with compatriots Lyudmila Biktasheva, Tatyana Chulakh and Firaya Sultanova-Zhdanova. They will all chase Asmae Leghzaoui's world record of 24:28 set here in 2002 and the chance to win the Regional Eye Center $10,008 World Record Bonus.

"These ladies will put on quite a race," said event director Tandy Fleming. "We know Silvia is tough, but she's going to have a difficult time winning again. The Russians are renowned for developing great distance runners and we're happy to have some of their best here in Kingsport."

The Russian quartet is certainly some of the best that country has to offer. Skvortsova won Crazy 8's last year in a sterling time of 26:04, which ranks 12th all-time on the candle-lit streets of Kingsport. She has a 5K best of 15:17 and 10K best of 32:15. When she is in the race, she is always a threat to win.

Biktasheva and Chulakh recently finished 7th and 9th respectively at the prestigious Peachtree 10K Road Race in Atlanta on July 4th. Biktasheva's credentials are extremely impressive. She won the 2003 Lilac Bloomsday 12K in 40:01, was 4th at the 2003 Russian Championships 10,000 meters in 31:31 and was a silver medalist at the 2002 European Championships in the 10,000m. Chulakh's resume also sparkles with a 2nd place finish at the 2004 Cooper River Bridge 10K in 32:36 (PR), and a win at the 2004 Shamrock Shuffle 8K in 25:56. She won the Russian Junior Championships 5000m in 2002. She is certainly one of Russia's rising stars.

At 43 years of age, Sultanova-Zhdanova is not a rising star, but she is certainly a star. She has been a force on the road running circuit this year, finishing 3rd at the Country Music Marathon in 2:35:56, 3rd at the Bay to Breakers 12K and 2nd at the Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K. She had an unbelievable marathon season in 2003, finishing 7th at the Boston Marathon in 2:31:30, 1st at Grandma's Marathon in 2:27:05 (PR) and finished the season with an 11th place 2:33:57 at the ING New York City Marathon. She ran in the World Championships Marathon in 1999 and 2001.

"I'd hate to pick a favorite out of those four," said Fleming. "We could see all four coming up Eastman Road toward the finish line at the same time. I just hope I don't have to try and pronounce all four of their names at the same time!"

For more information, visit www.crazy8s.org or register at the Fun Fest Store in the Ft. Henry Mall. Sponsors are Indian Path Medical Center, SunTrust Bank, Holston Medical Group, Cardiovascular Associates, YMCA, Regional Eye Center, Citadel Broadcasting, Culligan, BAE Systems, Food City, and Kingsport Rental. Fluid station/Invited Athlete Sponsors are Mather Dentist Office, Mountain Region Family Medicine, Fleming's Tune-Up, Martin Dentistry, Pro Balance and AVI. Crazy 8's, a Running USA Founding Member, is managed by the State of Franklin Track Club.

Return to top / Return to main page

For more information contact:
Glenn Kass, (309) 269-3634, (563) 383-2480

TIM DELF TO RACE FOR THE RHYTHM CITY CASINO JACKPOT
Blue Grass, Iowa resident will try to beat the best for $3,000

DAVENPORT, Ia. - (July 1, 2004) - Officials from the Quad-City Times Bix 7 have announced that Tim Delf has been selected at random as the first person to participate in the Rhythm City Casino's "Race for the Jackpot." The 30th edition of the race is set for Saturday, July 24th beginning at 8:00AM.

Delf's name was chosen at random from all entrants who registered for the race by June 15th. He will receive a head start on race day by being placed on the course at a location based on his time. If Delf beats the first place world-class runner to the finish, he will win the jackpot of $3,000 - $100 for each year of the race. He is planning to give the money to charity if he wins.

"I'm excited to be the first to have the opportunity to do this," said Delf, 46 and a member of the Information Technology department for 26 years at Alcoa. "I had heard about the concept, but wasn't exactly sure what it was at first.

"I've run off and on since school," he continued. "I've done Bix maybe seven or eight times and I ran it in about 52 minutes last year. I'm definitely planning to get more serious in my training and work on my speed now."

"Anyone who has ever run the Bix 10 or 12 times has dreamed of leading the race," said race director Ed Froehlich. "Well, now it's reality. He could be the first Quad-Citian to win the race since Gregg Newell in 1979. We're the only race in the country to do this and I'm really excited about it."

Race applications are available at various Quad City Area locations. Online sign-up also through the race's official website at: www.bix7.com

Return to top / Return to main page

Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival Registration Up 62%

BALTIMORE - (July 1, 2004) - Runner registration for this year's Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival is up 62 percent compared to this time last year. To-date, more than 3,000 runners have registered for the event taking place Saturday, October 16. The Festival consists of five races: The Under Armour Baltimore Marathon, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Half-Marathon, Legg Mason 4-Person Team Relay, 5K and Kid's Fun Run. Registration is up in all five races with nearly 1,500 registered participants in the marathon, more than 1,200 in the half-marathon and 102 teams in the relay. All races have field limits - marathon (4,000), half-marathon (3,000), team relay (750 teams), 5K and Kid's Fun Run (1,000 each). Last year's half-marathon sold-out.

In other news, the exchange points in the Legg Mason 4-Person Team Relay have changed for 2004 in attempt to make the relay more attractive to the average runner. All four legs of the relay will vary from six to seven miles compared to the three to nine mile ranges last year. Also, thanks to the support of title sponsor Legg Mason, the event will be awarding prizes to winning relay and Corporate Challenge teams to include: a dinner party at Phillips Seafood Restaurant, shoes from Falls Road Running, memberships to Merritt Athletic Club, gift certificates to McCormick & Schmick's and Maryland football tickets.

The 4th annual Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival takes place Saturday, October 16 at Ravens Stadium. For more information or to register for any race, visit www.thebaltimoremarathon.com or call (410) 605-9381.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org

www.runningusa.org