Courtesy: Running USA

This year both American Sports Data, Inc (ASD) and the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) report increases in Running and Jogging participants. The ASD's Superstudy of Sports Participation (see http://www.americansportsdata.com) estimates that the number of U.S. runners 6 years or older who ran one or more days in 2001 was 34,857,000 compared to 33,680,000 in 2000. The number of frequent runners (ran 100 or more days) also continues to be stable - with a total of 10,344,000 compared to 9,801,000 the previous year.

In the latest NSGA survey (see http://www.nsga.org), Running & Jogging (12th on the list with 24,500,000 Americans over the age of 6 who ran more than once during 2001) experienced the largest growth rate (7.6%) out of the top 20 sports with the most participants. Out of all 57 activities, Running/Jogging had the 14th highest growth rate.

Harvey Lauer of American Sports Data believes that the participation record of Running as tracked by ASD since 1987 has been consistent and stronger than other fitness sports. "In the last several years, Running has acquitted itself admirably -- especially when compared with the underperforming favorite, Fitness Walking. This is particularly remarkable, in view of the current emphasis on low-impact, low-stress, kinder & gentler modes of fitness."

According to ASD, the male to female ratio has not changed significantly for the general running population (53.3% males / 46.7% females). In both the general running population and the frequent running population, the majority of runners are under the age of 35. The number of teenage runners (12 to 17 years) continued to rise in 2001 and accounted for 24.7% of the total running population. The teens are also the largest age group of frequent runners (100+ days/year) but the 25 to 34 year olds experienced the greatest increase in growth.

Source: from American Sports Data, Inc's "Super-study of Sports Participation", for more information see http://www.americansportsdata.com.