The Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC) released three studies on racial representation in running participation and industry employment. Produced in partnership with Bentley University, the RIDC said its analysis “provides first-of-its-kind research to establish a baseline measure for progress toward racial justice.”

“Achieving racial justice is a societal imperative, and running—as an industry and sport—must be part of that transformation,” said Kiera Smalls, RIDC’s executive director. “From the lack of racial diversity within running organizations to the cost and safety concerns of Black runners in particular, there are clear barriers to participation and inclusion that continue to be unaddressed that serve as a starting point from where we are to where we need to be.”

The three research studies, “The Future of Running: Connecting with the Next Generation of Racially Diverse Runners,” “Racial Diversity and the Business of Running: Mapping a Path to Equitable Employment, Leadership, and Ownership” and “Racial Diversity in Trail Running: Understanding the Underrepresented Experience,” highlight the “core issues” in the industry as follows:

  • 14 percent of the U.S. population is Black/African American. In the running industry, 11 percent of employees are Black/African American and one percent hold senior management leadership positions;
  • Almost 80 percent of senior executives leading DEI initiatives are white, while 15 percent are Black/African American;
  • 70 percent of running organizations have DEI goals, but 59 percent do not track progress;
  • Approximately 34 percent of runners, 16 million people, are of color, according to data from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA);
  • The U.S. population has become increasingly more racially diverse, and the U.S. Census forecasts that people of color will be the majority by 2045 at 51 percent; and
  • Qualitatively, runners of color do not feel valued as consumers or athletes, from unmet product needs to unaddressed and endemic safety concerns.

“The RIDC is mobilizing the running industry to actively practice racial equity so that our people and the businesses that serve us can thrive,” said Smalls. “Ultimately, we need everyone committed to systemic change to understand the need for racial justice and then work to ensure equitable representation across participation, employment, leadership, and ownership. The future of running is more racially diverse, so we have to build for that reality today”.

The RIDC reports include the following recommendations and questions:

  • Running organizations, including retailers, product manufacturers, event organizers, and service agencies, must continually (re)set and assess their commitment to racial justice and DEI. What action plans are being created to achieve these goals? What are the measures of success, and how will progress be tracked? What does personal accountability look like at every stage of company practices? What current systems continue a cycle of oppression?;
  • How would the running industry positively change if racial and ethnic representation in running participation mirrored BIPOC representation in the U.S.?; and
  • Partnerships and solidarity are essential in this work. RIDC supports running organizations across the entire industry. How can we support you?

Smalls and the RIDC have previewed the findings from its research over the last six months with industry partners in race management, events, retail, and brands, who provided feedback and have begun to (re)assess their internal policies and practices.

“Research plays a critical role in helping the industry understand systemic racial barriers across the business and the sport as well as the human experience arising from those barriers. Our studies provide crucial insights that will help reconstruct the industry to reflect the diverse racial identities and rich cultural values of our nation’s population, thus transforming running into a business and sport that is truly welcoming to all ,” said Erin Flynn, professor at Bentley University. The studies were funded by Altra, Brooks, New Balance, On, Patagonia, Salomon, Saucony, Smartwool, and Strava.

To read the reports, go here. 

Photo courtesy RIDC