The Race Radar

Running Popularity on the Rise: Run Statistics & Data

Run popularity is surging — the latest run statistics and data show more first-time entrants, a Gen Z boom and shrinking gender gaps. Read verified race recommendations, recent results, seasonal tips and insider coaching advice to pick your next event and train smarter.

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Running Popularity on the Rise: Run Statistics & Data

Why running is booming right now

If you’ve noticed more runners on park paths, in the streets, or in your social feed, you’re not imagining it. Participation numbers and on-the-ground reporting point to a real boom. The Great Run Company reports a 39% increase in event participation year-on-year across its portfolio, with 53% of entrants in 2024 being first-timers and 47% of entrants aged 35 or under — a clear Gen Z and younger-adult surge (Great Run Rewind24 report).

That aligns with broader market snapshots: running remains one of the world’s most popular fitness activities and Statista tracks running and jogging as a major, enduring participation category with tens of millions of U.S. participants (running & jogging topic). Garage Gym Reviews also summarizes participation scale — roughly 50 million runners in the U.S. and hundreds of millions globally — and shows the sport is diverse in distance and intent, from casual 5K runs to ultramarathons (running statistics and facts).

Key run statistics you need to know (quick bullets)

  • 39% year-on-year growth reported across Great Run events in 2024, with a big increase in first-time entrants and young runners (Great Run Rewind24 report).
  • Roughly 50 million people run or jog in the U.S., making running a major participation sport (running statistics and facts).
  • Trail running is growing fast — Garage Gym Reviews cites rising participation in trail events and races, a trend to watch for variety in your racing calendar (running statistics and facts).

When you plan your season, those big-picture numbers matter: races are filling fast, more novices are choosing 5K–half marathon distances, and organizers are seeing a new wave of young runners who want community and accessible events.

Current race recommendations and verified results (what we can confirm)

Below are race highlights and verified recent results or registration notes that appear in the reporting we have. Where exact registration windows or calendar dates were not published in the provided sources, I’ll tell you that explicitly and point you to the event page.

  • Great North Run — iconic UK half-marathon and part of the Great Run Series. The Great Run Rewind24 piece notes the series is expanding participation and that the ballot for the Great North Run opened in the announcement; the article points runners to the Great Run events page for sign-up details (Great Run events). The article does not include the numeric ballot open date in the copy we have, so check the events page for exact registration timelines (Great Run events).

  • New York City Marathon (2024 results) — The NYC field continues to be massive: 55,646 finishers were reported for the 2024 race, confirming the scale of major city marathons and the competitiveness of entry and charity slots (NYC Marathon 2024 finishers overview referenced in reporting). Use that results page for splits and official finisher lists.

  • Chicago Marathon (2024 field size) — Reporting shows the 2024 Chicago Marathon had a record field of roughly 50,000 participants after more than 120,000 applications for entry, underlining how competitive major marathon entry has become (run-club and marathon trends reporting). The exact registration windows and dates are not included in the article excerpt we have; for registration you should check the race organizer’s site.

  • Hackney Half Marathon (UK) — Local and regional races are also booming: Hackney’s half had record participation in 2023 and was already sold out for the following year at the time of the reporting I’m citing, which is a reminder that popular community races fill early (Hackney Half reporting in broader coverage).

Note: For precise upcoming race dates, registration opening/closing, and charity or ballot entry windows you must check the official event pages linked above — the articles in the set confirm results and demand but do not always publish the event calendar details.

How the field is changing: age, gender, and distance trends

  • Younger runners are a driving force. Great Run’s data shows nearly half of entrants are 35 or under and that younger runners are more likely to take on half marathon distances (Great Run Rewind24 report).

  • The gender gap is narrowing. Great Run reports 46% female participation in 2024, up year-on-year, while distance choices skew differently: 25% more men take on half marathons while 5K and 10K fields tilt female in that data set (Great Run Rewind24 report).

  • Community-driven run clubs and social running — highlighted by Dazed’s reporting — are part of why many younger people start and stick with running: they want connection, safety in numbers, and social momentum (run clubs and trends coverage).

Insider tips for signing up and training in a crowded race market

  1. Prioritize early action — big races and local favorites are selling out or using ballots. If you want a place in a marquee event, watch official event pages and apply to ballots or charity entries early (Great Run events).

  2. Join a run crew — new runners are getting into the sport through social groups. If you’re nervous about pace or safety, a couch-to-5K-focused crew can make training consistent and fun (a trend highlighted in the Great Run coverage) (Great Run Rewind24 report).

  3. Shoe and tech planning matters — runners spend significantly on gear and many use apps or watches for training; build your shoe plan early and rotate pairs to avoid overuse injuries (running data and gear insights).

  4. Low-effort consistency > big one-off workouts. Great Run ambassador Eilish McColgan’s beginner tips in the reporting boil down to common-sense choices: invest in supportive trainers, find a running buddy or group, and commit to a realistic routine (Eilish McColgan’s top tips).

  5. Consider race type choice with data in mind — if you’re newer, 5K and 10K fields are increasingly friendly to women and social runners, while half marathons are seeing a large male skew in some event portfolios; pick a distance that matches your training time and community goals (Great Run demographic data).

Seasonal planning and where to race (comparison based on trends)

  • Big-city marathons (NYC, Chicago) draw huge applicant pools and are great target races if you want a major experience and are ready to plan long-term. Data shows large finishes and application pressure — plan 9–16 months ahead for qualification, ballot or charity routes (NYC results and Chicago field reporting, marathon field coverage).

  • Local halves and 10Ks (like Hackney Half in the U.K.) are becoming event highlights — faster sign-ups, community atmosphere, and less logistical stress. Those popular local races can sell out months in advance, so treat them like big races and plan training blocks accordingly (Hackney Half reporting).

  • Trail events are growing: if you want variety and lower traffic congestion on course, use trail races to broaden your calendar; Garage Gym Reviews highlights rising interest in trail running participation (trail and participation data).

Final checklist before you commit

  • Confirm the official race page for registration windows and entry rules (use the event links above).
  • Plan 12–16 weeks of structured training for half marathons, and 16–20+ weeks for marathons depending on experience. Join a run crew for accountability if you’re newer (run-club trend reporting).
  • Book travel and accommodation early for big-city races — finish lines fill hotels fast.
  • Budget for shoes and tech; the market data shows runners treat gear as a core part of race preparation (running gear insights).

Want to dig deeper? Bookmark these resources

Sources

Ready to pick a race? Use the links above to check registration windows, choose a distance that fits your life, and join a local run crew to build momentum. The data is clear: more people are running than ever — make 2025 your year to sign up, train smart, and enjoy every mile.

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