The Rise in Popularity of Themed Foot Racing Events

Authors:

Trent Hurt, Graduate Student

Michael J. Bradley, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Department of Recreation and Park Administration

Eastern Kentucky University

www.recreation.eku.edu

The Rise in Popularity of Themed Foot
Racing Events

Every
week, a town, organization, or group of individuals are hosting a footrace.
Foot racing is a race ran by contestants on foot. These races are usually 5K,
10K, 15K, half-marathon, and full marathons. Themed oriented foot racing is
increasingly growing in popularity because individuals are doing more than just
running. The first known successful themed races (Spartan Race and Mud Run)
were held in 2010, and the Color Run was founded in 2011. These were the
beginning of theme oriented races. According to a Running USA study,
participation in “non-traditional running events” has soared since, growing
from the low six figures in 2009 to more than 4 million finishers four years
later” (Evan Webeck, 2015). Common themes are color runs, funny outfits, and
regional themed. Theme oriented races are a fun and exciting way to get
everyone in the community involved.

Footraces
are a popular way to get people dealing with obesity and heart disease to get
active and try to build a healthy lifestyle. According to the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, as of March 2018, nearly 35% of adults have
obesity. Theme oriented races are a way to get individuals, both healthy and
unhealthy, involved in racing and physical fitness in a fun and family friendly
setting.

There
are different ways for recreation organizations to get involved with theme
oriented races. Richmond Kentucky’s Parks and Recreation Department could host
a zombie themed Halloween footrace to raise money for the city’s Teen Center or
Richmond Special Olympics team. By making it themed they can involve a larger
demographic of participants from racers, zombie fanatics, and individuals who support
anything that involves Special Olympics. These races are also fun for the
volunteers as well. If the Parks and Recreation Department of Richmond is
hosting a Zombie Run 5K, they are going to need volunteers to dress and act as
zombies. Here they can partner up with Eastern Kentucky University for the
volunteers. More organizations are creating themed races because of the diverse
demographics. Someone who cannot run would not enjoy a regular 5K because they
cannot keep pace with the other racers. By making the 5K a color run, then
someone who can only walk can still participate in all the fun as well even if they
do not finish first place.

            Theme oriented races are ways that
recreation professionals can get the community involved, start traditions, and
gain profit by a means of fundraising. Runner’s World magazine stated that
there were an estimated 4 million participants in U.S. themed races in 2013
(Dan Fuehrer, Scott Douglas, 2014). The Boston Marathon is the largest marathon
foot race in the United States and it had a total of 30,074 runners starting in
the 2017 race. Though the Boston Marathon is not a theme oriented race, it
shows how recreation professions can start something to get the city, and
surrounding communities involved.

            If a recreation professional and
organization wants to plan and host a themed race they need to figure the cost
of hosting the event as well as figuring what money they can gain from the
event. “The cost to hosting themed races can vary depending on the theme but it
is an excellent way to fundraise. Expenses can range $1500-$2500 depending on
how things done and how many runners are anticipated. Shirts will normally cost
$6.50-7.50 each for short sleeve. This cost will be paid for by racer entry
fees. Medals range from $2.50-$5.00 depending on how fancy the committee wants
them to be. Food and water can be donated at no charge. Course certification is
about $350.00 and event insurance is about the same. Depending on city
ordinances a permit may be needed to host the race and close streets and those
costs vary by location. Race bibs are from 15-35 cents each and other minor
expenses may also be incurred according” (Kate Denning, Race Day Event
Services).

How
much money an organization will make hosting a 5K run solely depends on how
much work they are willing to put into it. A 5K money making run is a direct
reflection of how hard the Race Director works to get sponsorships. Kate
Denning states that one individual cannot do this alone and you will need a
group of hard-working individuals that are willing to help. “Normally, entry
fees will cover your expenses and sponsorship monies will be what you donate to
your organization or worthy cause” (Denning).

            Recreation professions are taking
advantage of themed oriented races because of the fun and family friendly
atmosphere the races bring. People dress up and enjoy a time where all ages get
out and participate in physical fitness, supporting recreation, and build
traditions for the community like Boston, and makes for a good fundraising
event if properly planned and executed.

References

2017
Boston Marathon. (2017, April 17). Retrieved April 02, 2018, from
http://raceday.baa.org/statistics.html

Douglas,
S., & Fuehrer, D. (2017, December 13). 2 Charts Show Growth of
Non-Traditional Races. Retrieved April 02, 2018, from
https://www.runnersworld.com/newswire/2-charts-show-growth-of-non-traditional-races

Denning,
K. (n.d.). Hosting & Planning Running Events. Retrieved April 02, 2018,
from http://www.racedayeventservices.com/hosting-planning

Overweight
& Obesity. (2018, March 05). Retrieved April 02, 2018, from
https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

Webeck,
E. (2015, December 28). Themed races drive running participation to record
highs. Retrieved April 02, 2018, from https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2015/12/28/themed-races-drive-running-participation-to-record-highs/

Keywords 

#recreation #leisure #EasternKentuckyUniversity #EKU #parks #NRPA #5k #10k
#race #racing

#footrace #15k #halfmarathon #marathon #100k #runner