State of the Sport - Part III - Road Race Growth Trends and Largest Races
By Running USA's Road Running Information Center

The typical road race grew by about 2% in 2005, while the 100th largest timed race had 4,238 finishers in 2005 compared to 3,923 in 2004 and 2,968 in 1991. When all related events such as walks are included (see the Largest Festivals lists), the 100th festival had an estimated 11,000 entrants and 9,400 finishers. There were a total of 2.3 million participants in the top 100 running festivals in 2005 compared to 2.1 in 2004. It would appear that there was extraordinary growth in races and festivals with at least 5,000 participants (296 in 2005, up from 194 in 2004), but at least some of that increase can be attributed to improved solicitation of race results to build the rankings produced by Running USA and the Active Network.

As the tables below indicate, the 5K is still the dominant running event distance in terms of number of events (52.9% of all U.S. certified courses) and estimated number of finishers (38.3% in 2005), but the typical 5K is low key and will probably not last as long as its longer distance cousins.

Inaugural Races and the Marathon / Half-Marathon Combo Spur Growth
Since 2000, there have been two noteworthy growth areas in the sport: inaugural races and the marathon / half-marathon combination.

Compared to 10-15 years ago, it is now relatively common for an inaugural race to be "large" (>999 finishers). From 2000 to 2005, on average, there have been 15 first-year U.S. road races per year with at least 1,000 finishers and an average of 2,954 finishers. The best year to-date for inaugural races in this country has been 2004 with 18 such races averaging 3,900 finishers.

The marathon / half-marathon combination growth trend has been building over the past 5 plus years, and the half-marathon has been leading the growth charge not only as a stand-alone event (as noted in past RRIC State of Sport Reports), but also as an addition to an established marathon (e.g., Country Music) or part of an inaugural marathon / half-marathon combo (e.g., P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona). Of the 25 largest M / HM combos in the U.S., 16 of them have added a half-marathon since 2001 and the result has been impressive growth as the largest 25 M / HM combos grew 80% from 2002 to 2005 (116,881 finishers vs. 210,779 finishers). In addition, since 2001 in this country, over 55 marathons have added same day half-marathons.

This upward trend should continue because in 2006 the Shamrock Sportsfest, Salt Lake City, Columbus and New Las Vegas Marathons added half-marathons to their race mix, while the inaugural Post-News Colorado Colfax and Denver events are M / HM combos from the start.

For the vast majority of M / HM combos, the half-marathon is the larger race, but both distances, on average, continue to grow. In the top 25 U.S. combo list for 2005, only Grandma's and Austin Marathons are larger than its respective half-marathon.

Finishers in Largest U.S. Marathon / Half-Marathon Combos in 2005

Also, this trend extends internationally as more marathons have added half-marathons to grow their events. In 2005, the ING Amsterdam, adidas Vancouver Int'l and ING Ottawa events reported combined M / HM finishers greater than 10,000 (up from 2004).

Interestingly, the 7 largest U.S. marathons - ING New York City, LaSalle Bank Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Marine Corps, Boston and Rock 'n' Roll San Diego - have not added same day half-marathons; probably because of their already large sizes (>17,000 finishers), overall logistics and tradition.

The RRIC's largest races lists - for timed events, by distance, festivals by state, women-only races, kids runs and the world - are now posted at the Running USA website. To see where your favorite road race stacks up or who is #1, go to: www.runningusa.org/cgi/evbig100.pl

Running USA's Road Running Information Center State of the Sport reports, many types of running data and analysis and lists of the Largest Races from past years can be found on RunningUSA.org in the 'Statistics' section. For other questions about running trends and demographics, contact Ryan Lamppa [ryan@runningusa.org] or Linda Honikman [rric@runningusa.org].

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Contact: Richard Finn, (212) 423-2229 | rfinn@nyrr.org, Media Relations Department, New York Road Runners

Tergat, Prokopcuka Back to Defend Titles at the ING New York City Marathon 2006

ROME - (July 14, 2006) - ING New York City Marathon defending champions Paul Tergat of Kenya, the world record-holder who captured the New York title last year in the closest finish in race history, and surprise winner Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia will return to the 2006 race on Sunday, November 5, it was announced Friday. New York Road Runners president and CEO and race director Mary Wittenberg made the announcement at a special news conference in advance of the IAAF Golden League Golden Gala track meet. Wittenberg was joined by Tergat; Prokopcuka is training in Switzerland and could not attend.

"For his grace under pressure, for his athletic prowess and his strength of mind not to waver or break in the final strides, last year's victory at the ING New York City Marathon was Paul's lasting masterpiece."

In his ING New York City Marathon debut last year, Tergat beat defending champion Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa by just one second, in a time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, 30 seconds.

"Last year's win by Paul was one for the ages, and he has forever etched his name in the rich history and tradition of the ING New York City Marathon," said Wittenberg. "He comes back with high expectations on his shoulders to join a select group of back-to-back champions."

Tergat, 37, is bidding to become the first repeat champion since John Kagwe of Kenya in 1997-98, and one of only five men - including Alberto Salazar and Bill Rodgers - to win two or more consecutive New York City Marathons.

Tergat, who set the marathon world record of 2:04:55 in Berlin in 2003, returns to New York after finishing fourth in the Lisbon Half-Marathon this past March in 59:42. One of the favorites heading into April's Flora London Marathon, Tergat withdrew the week before the race with a calf injury.

"I was probably in the best shape of my life when I had to pull out of the Flora London Marathon just a few days before the race, and I was not sure I would be ready to return to New York. After a difficult time following London, I now feel 100 percent ready and I am excited to come back to New York to defend this title," said Tergat, who will be making his first start of the year in a World Marathon Majors event.

Prokopcuka, 29, held off Susan Chepkemei of Kenya in the final 500 meters to win the ING New York City Marathon 2005 in 2:24:41. She has excelled in 2006 with a runner-up finish at the Boston Marathon (2:23:48) in April, which ties her for second place on the World Marathon Majors series leader board, and victories in two 10K races: the BUPA Great Edinburgh Run (32:25) and the BUPA Great Manchester Run (31:33). Prokopcuka finished second at the Circle of Friends New York Mini 10K (31:34), a NYRR event, in June.

"I am full of anticipation to try to win again," said Prokopcuka. "I respect my competitors, but I am not afraid of them, because I am feeling I am strong enough to beat everyone on the ING New York City Marathon course."

Prokopcuka will face U.S. record-holder and 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Deena Kastor, who announced on June 19 that she will run this year's race.

"After last year's thrilling finishes, we are excited to welcome back both of our defending champions and look forward to them giving us more memorable moments on the world's greatest running stage, the ING New York City Marathon," said Wittenberg.

Tergat, Prokopcuka, Kastor and U.S. Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein, a first-time marathoner, are the first professional athletes announced for the ING New York City Marathon 2006, one of five events in the World Marathon Majors series that showcases the sport's top athletes and awards an unprecedented $1 million champion's prize. The WMM series also includes the Boston Marathon, the Flora London Marathon, the real,-Berlin Marathon and the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.

For more race information, visit: INGNYCMarathon.org

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Contact: Sharon Barbano, Saucony Public Relations, (617) 824-6126; Sharon_Barbano@striderite.com

Saucony Signs Ryan Shay of Team Running USA

LEXINGTON, Mass. - (July 11, 2006) - Reinforcing the brand's performance running platform, Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of The Stride Rite Corporation (NYSE: SRR) and a leading global supplier of athletic footwear and apparel, has formed a multi-year partnership with two-time USA Running Circuit (USARC) champion Ryan Shay. Shay, a member of Team Running USA in California, will train in Saucony's new ProGrid™ technology and compete in the brand's racing specific product line.

"It's exciting to have such an innovative and performance-driven brand behind me," said Shay, the 2001 NCAA 10,000 meter champion and 2003 U.S. marathon champion.

"Wearing Saucony will definitely give me a competitive edge in both my training and racing," added Shay.

"Ryan Shay is an incredible fit for the energy of the Saucony brand," said Tom Carleo, senior vice president of product for Saucony.

"He shares the competitive spirit and passion that we have for the sport. With his input, we'll continue to build exciting and innovative products for runners everywhere," continued Carleo.

Shay, 27, a nine-time All-American at Notre Dame, had four consecutive top 10 finishes in the 10,000 meters at the NCAA Championship including the 2001 national title. After college, Shay joined Team Running USA, an elite training group that includes Olympic medalists Meb Keflezighi and Deena Kastor. Other career highlights include: 2003-04 USA Half-Marathon champion, 2004 USA 20K champion, 2005 USA 15K champion and 2003-04 USA Running Circuit Grand Prix champion. When not training with Team Running USA in Mammoth Lakes, California, Shay resides in East Jordan, Michigan.

While training, Shay will wear Saucony products with ProGrid technology, the evolution of Saucony's patented Grid system. Introduced in the early nineties, Grid was the first technology that mutually addressed cushioning and stability. ProGrid, located closer to the foot than traditional Grid, continues to provide runners with unsurpassed comfort and cushioning without compromising on support and durability. The ProGrid Triumph 4 will launch at retail in November 2006.

On race day, Shay will toe the line in Saucony's lightweight selection of performance racing shoes, including the Grid Fastwitch 2, offered in Custom Ride Management® options for speed or endurance.

About Saucony, Inc.: Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of The Stride Rite Corporation, is a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel with its widely recognized brands Saucony, Saucony Originals and Spot-bilt. For more information, go to: Saucony.com

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Rodriguez, Daane Win Carneros Wine Country Half Marathon

SONOMA, Calif. - (July 16, 2006) - One does not normally rush through the fabled vineyards and idyllic back roads of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.

But once a year 2,000-plus runners set aside their wine-tasting endeavors just long enough to participate in the Carneros Wine Country Half Marathon. This year's 13.1-mile Napa-to-Sonoma race took place on Sunday, under sunny skies with temperatures in the 60s and 70s.

Defending champion, Celedonio (Cele) Rodriguez, repeated his dominance, setting a new course record in one hour, 6 minutes, 34 seconds, nearly a three minute improvement over his time last year (1:09:31). Irishwoman Elizabeth Daane, 35, was the women's champion, breaking the finish tape in 1:20:31.

Rodriguez set a fast early pace as he cruised through the Cuvaison and Domaine Carneros vineyards in the Carneros wine region. "I was nervous in the beginning of the race because I did not know who else was here," said Rodriguez. His first two 4:38 miles and continued strength had the chase pack quickly asking themselves who would place second. "I settled into a 5:00- to 5:10-mile pace when I realized that nobody was going to join me." It was Rodriguez's second half marathon victory in seven days, having won a race last Sunday in Seattle.

A 14-time All-American and three-time NCAA Division II champion while a student at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colo., Rodriguez, 25, still lives and trains in Alamosa under the guidance of Peter DeLaCerda, the runner-up at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

A relative newcomer to the long distance running scene, Rodriguez was the surprise victor at the 2005 BAA Half Marathon last October, setting a personal record of 1:04:09. "I want to run more half-marathons this summer and fall," said Rodriguez, who says he will probably be a marathon runner eventually. "Actually, I prefer 5Ks because they are very quick."

"Cele went out very fast," said Matt Thull, who won the inaugural Wine Country Half Marathon two years ago. Thull, 31, of Milwaukee, Wis., placed second in 1:08:26. "It was obvious he was strong and he never seemed to slow down. I lost sight of him about nine miles into the race." Steve Laurie, 25, of Eugene, Calif. placed third in 1:08:50.

The luck of the Irish did not seem to have anything to do with the outcome of the women's race, but quite possibly some extra family support did. Daane, an Irish citizen living in Reno, Nev., overcame painful blisters to run strong and steady for the women's title. "My parents are here visiting from Ireland and it was nice to see them at the finish," said Daane. "My husband, Brandon, is here too. He is my biggest supporter."

Daane trailed Stephanie Bylander, of Alamosa, Colo., for the first nine miles before passing her and pulling away. "I was sitting on her tail for 8 miles and realized that, if I was going to make a move, I needed to do it then. It was a lot of fun for me," said Daane. "It is so beautiful here." A former University of Nevada at Reno athlete, Daane is training for the Dublin City Marathon this October.

Bylander, who set her half-marathon personal record at the 2005 IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships (1:16:58), was disappointed with her runner-up finish (1:21:46), but was upbeat about the future and her goal to compete in the USA 20K Championships in New Haven on September 4. "Today was not my best day, but that happens sometimes," said Bylander. Caroline Radtke of Fairfield, Calif. finished third in 1:22:02.

The half-marathon's top finishers will be able to savor their victories in style. The prize purse included: $2000 in cash and $7000 in wine and other prizes, including double magnums of Acacia wine and a Ball watch ($2500 value).

The Carneros Wine Country Half Marathon starts at the Cuvaison Winery and Domaine Carneros winery in Napa and winds though vineyards, farms and the Napa/Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Preserve before finishing in historic Sonoma Plaza. The Travel Channel was on hand all weekend to tape participants enjoying the fruits of their labor.

Managed by Destination Races of Sonoma, Calif., the Carneros Wine Country Half Marathon weekend also included a 10K race.

3rd Carneros Wine Country Half Marathon
Napa to Sonoma, CA, Sunday, July 16, 2006

MEN
1) Celedonio Rodriguez, CO, 1:06:34*, $500 plus watch and wine
2) Matt Thull, WI, 1:08:26, $300
3) Steve Laurie, CA, 1:08:50, $200
*course record (previous record, 1:08:47, Matt Thull)

WOMEN
1) Elizabeth Daane (IRL), NV, 1:20:31, $500 plus wine and a spa package
2) Stephanie Bylander, CO, 1:21:46, $300
3) Caroline Radtke, CA, 1:22:02, $200

For deeper results, visit: RunCarneros.com

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232
Ryan@RunningUSA.org | www.RunningUSA.org