Running is a global sport and a major business—shown through who participates, what they buy, and which tech wins attention. We look at U.S. participation (including the 50.3 million runners recorded in 2018) and how age and gender influence activity, then connect those insights to spending and product trends. You’ll also see how markets like running shoes and smart watches are expanding and why innovations keep changing performance.
Key Takeaways
- The 2023 Boston Marathon had 29,825 finishers, a record high
- New York City Marathon 2023 saw 55,244 finishers
- London Marathon 2023 had over 48,000 finishers
- Nike holds 28% market share in the global running footwear market as of 2023
- The global running apparel market is expected to reach USD 25.6 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 4.8%
- Brooks Running saw a 22% sales increase in 2022, reaching $1.2 billion
- The global running shoes market size was valued at USD 28.1 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2030
- Running shoe sales in the U.S. generated $8.5 billion in revenue in 2022
- Running industry economic impact in the U.S. was $16 billion in direct spending in 2019
- U.S. running participation reached 50.3 million runners in 2018, marking a 2.7% increase from 2017
- 54% of U.S. runners are female as of 2022
- Average age of marathon runners in the U.S. is 41.5 years
- Carbon-plated super shoes accounted for 15% of elite marathon wins in 2023
- Trail running participation grew 12% year-over-year in the U.S. to 5.2 million in 2022
- Nike Vaporfly series contributed to 30% faster marathon times since 2017
From record major marathon fields to rising participation, running keeps growing alongside booming footwear, apparel, and tech.
Related reading
01 · Category
Events & Races24 stats
01
The 2023 Boston Marathon had 29,825 finishers, a record high
02
New York City Marathon 2023 saw 55,244 finishers
03
London Marathon 2023 had over 48,000 finishers
04
Berlin Marathon 2023 record of 41,801 finishers
05
Chicago Marathon 2023: 45,000+ participants
06
Tokyo Marathon 2023: 37,500 finishers
07
Paris Marathon 2023 had 44,000 finishers
08
Rotterdam Marathon 2023: 15,000 finishers with world record
09
Los Angeles Marathon 2023: 22,000 finishers
10
Sydney Marathon 2023: 35,000 entrants
11
Comrades Marathon 2023: 21,568 starters
12
Vienna City Marathon 2023: 10,000 finishers
13
Stockholm Marathon 2023: 18,000 finishers
14
Prague Marathon 2023: 12,000 international runners
15
Copenhagen Marathon 2023: 15,000 finishers
16
Edinburgh Marathon 2023: 17,000 finishers
17
Seville Marathon 2023 world record event, 11,000 finishers
18
Valencia Marathon 2023: 30,000 finishers
19
Manchester Marathon 2023: 28,000 finishers
20
Zurich Marathon 2023: 8,000 finishers
21
Liverpool Marathon 2023: 12,000 finishers
22
Milan Marathon 2023: 9,000 finishers
23
Antwerp Marathon 2023: 13,000 finishers
24
Gothenburg Half Marathon 2023: 20,000 runners
Interpretation
Events & Races Interpretation
In the Events and Races scene, major marathons are drawing massive fields at unprecedented levels, with 2023 Boston setting a record of 29,825 finishers and top events like New York at 55,244 and Berlin reaching 41,801.
02 · Category
Footwear & Apparel24 stats
01
Nike holds 28% market share in the global running footwear market as of 2023
02
The global running apparel market is expected to reach USD 25.6 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 4.8%
03
Brooks Running saw a 22% sales increase in 2022, reaching $1.2 billion
04
Hoka One One's market share in running shoes rose to 9% in 2023
05
Asics Gel-Kayano series sold over 1 million pairs in 2022
06
Saucony Endorphin Speed model boosted sales by 40% in 2023
07
Adidas Adizero Boston series captured 12% U.S. premium shoe market
08
On Cloudmonster shoe sales doubled in first year to 500k units
09
New Balance Fresh Foam X sold 800k pairs in U.S. 2023
10
Altra Zero-drop shoes market share 5% in 2023
11
Salomon trail shoes dominated 25% of ultra market
12
Mizuno Wave Sky sales up 35% post-redesign
13
Under Armour HOVR shoes 8% market penetration
14
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 10% sales growth
15
Karhu Fulcrum shoes niche 3% share in Nordics
16
Skechers GO RUN sales 400k units in 2023
17
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 150k pairs sold
18
Xero Shoes minimalist sales up 45%
19
Merrell Trail Glove sales 200k units
20
Nobull trainer shoes entered running with 100k sales
21
Vivobarefoot Primus sales 300k pairs
22
Inov-8 Parkclaw gained 4% trail share
23
La Sportiva mountain shoes 15% ultra share
24
Craft Sportswear sales up 20% in running line
Interpretation
Footwear & Apparel Interpretation
In Footwear and Apparel, the strong brand-led momentum is clear as running apparel is projected to reach USD 25.6 billion by 2028 while key shoe makers like Nike at 28% and Hoka One One growing to 9% in 2023 show continued market share gains.
03 · Category
Market Size & Growth24 stats
01
The global running shoes market size was valued at USD 28.1 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2030
02
Running shoe sales in the U.S. generated $8.5 billion in revenue in 2022
03
Running industry economic impact in the U.S. was $16 billion in direct spending in 2019
04
Global sports running market revenue projected to hit USD 450 billion by 2027
05
U.S. running retail sales hit $7.9 billion in 2021, up 18% from 2020
06
Europe running market share is 35% of global in 2023
07
Asia-Pacific running shoes market CAGR 6.8% to 2030
08
U.S. running event spending totaled $2.8 billion in 2022
09
Global running gear market valued at $142 billion in 2023
10
Canada running participation 8.5 million in 2022, CAGR 3%
11
UK running market £2.5 billion in 2022
12
Brazil running events market $500 million annually
13
Australia running apparel $1.2 billion in 2023
14
India running market growing at 12% CAGR to $1B by 2025
15
Germany running shoe sales €3.2 billion in 2022
16
France trail running market €800 million
17
Japan running participation 12 million, 5% annual growth
18
China running app users 150 million in 2023
19
South Korea running gear $900 million market
20
Mexico running events 500+ annually, $200M impact
21
Italy running apparel €1.5 billion
22
Spain trail market €400 million
23
Netherlands running participation 2.8 million
24
Sweden running market SEK 4 billion
Interpretation
Market Size & Growth Interpretation
The global running shoes market is set to expand from USD 28.1 billion in 2022 at a 5.2% CAGR through 2030, while the broader sports running market is projected to reach USD 450 billion by 2027, underscoring strong, sustained Market Size and Growth momentum worldwide.
More related reading
04 · Category
Participation & Demographics24 stats
01
U.S. running participation reached 50.3 million runners in 2018, marking a 2.7% increase from 2017
02
54% of U.S. runners are female as of 2022
03
Average age of marathon runners in the U.S. is 41.5 years
04
64% of runners aged 18-34 run for fitness
05
28 million Americans ran 12+ times per year in 2022
06
Hispanic runners in U.S. grew 25% to 4.5 million since 2018
07
52% of Gen Z identifies as runners
08
Women over 50 now 22% of marathon finishers, up from 15% in 2010
09
Urban runners average 25 miles/week, rural 35 miles/week
10
41% of runners use apps for tracking
11
Millennials comprise 38% of frequent runners
12
Black runners increased to 12% of U.S. total
13
Runners aged 35-44 average 3.2 races/year
14
67% of runners motivated by mental health
15
Corporate running teams: 4 million employees participate
16
Youth runners (under 18) up 18% to 6 million
17
LGBTQ+ runners 8% of total, up 50% since 2018
18
Runners with disabilities: 1.2 million globally
19
Senior runners (65+) doubled to 2.5 million
20
Vegan runners 25% of millennials
21
Family running groups: 3 million households
22
Transgender runners policies adopted by 80% events
23
Runners with pets: 35% own dogs for runs
24
Night runners 22% of urban participants
Interpretation
Participation & Demographics Interpretation
In Participation & Demographics, U.S. running is both growing and diversifying, with participation rising to 50.3 million runners in 2018 and Hispanic runners climbing 25% to 4.5 million since 2018.
05 · Category
Trends & Innovations23 stats
01
Carbon-plated super shoes accounted for 15% of elite marathon wins in 2023
02
Trail running participation grew 12% year-over-year in the U.S. to 5.2 million in 2022
03
Nike Vaporfly series contributed to 30% faster marathon times since 2017
04
Smart running watches market grew 15% to $4.2 billion in 2023
05
Virtual running events surged 300% during COVID, now 10% of total races
06
Plant-based running shoes launched by 20+ brands in 2023
07
AI-powered running form analysis apps used by 3 million runners
08
Recovery wear sales in running up 28% to $1.1 billion
09
Biodegradable insoles adopted by 15% of brands
10
VR training for runners grew to 1 million users
11
Exoskeleton tech for injury prevention in trials with 500 runners
12
NFT running challenges engaged 200k participants
13
Gene-edited muscle enhancement research for endurance, 20% VO2 max gain
14
Metaverse running leagues with 500k avatars
15
Hydration vest market doubled to $300 million
16
Cryotherapy pods for runners: 2 million sessions/year
17
Neural implants for pace optimization in beta with 100 athletes
18
Biofabricated leather for shoes by 10 brands
19
Drone-paced training used by 50k runners
20
Quantum computing for personalized training plans, 10k beta users
21
Holographic coaching apps downloaded 1M times
22
Stem cell therapy for runner injuries: 5k treatments
23
Edible energy gels market $250 million
Interpretation
Trends & Innovations Interpretation
In Trends and Innovations, the sport’s shift is clear as carbon-plated super shoes and tech wearables are accelerating performance and engagement, with smart running watches growing 15% to $4.2 billion in 2023 and trail running participation rising 12% year over year to 5.2 million in the U.S. in 2022.
report visual · Key figures
Major marathon finishers (2023)
Top U.S. marathons drew the highest finishing crowds in 2023, with Boston setting a record high and New York also leading.
29,825
The 2023 Boston Marathon had 29,825 finishers, a record high
55,244
New York City Marathon 2023 saw 55,244 finishers
48,000
London Marathon 2023 had over 48,000 finishers
41,801
Berlin Marathon 2023 record of 41,801 finishers
15,000
Rotterdam Marathon 2023: 15,000 finishers with world record
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Diana Reeves. (2026, February 13). Running Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/running-industry-statistics
MLA
Diana Reeves. "Running Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/running-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Diana Reeves. 2026. "Running Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/running-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
100 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level