The Running Event 2024: Record-Breaking Attendance and Industry Growth Shine in Austin

TRE 2024 Marks 20% Total Attendance Growth, 15% Expansion in Exhibit Space, and 111 New Brands

PORTLAND, MAINE (November 25, 2024) – The Running Event (TRE), North America’s premier run and outdoor specialty retail conference and trade show, celebrated a record-breaking 18th edition November 19-21 in Austin, TX, reflecting the industry’s continued growth and innovation. 

“The success of this year’s event demonstrates exactly what makes the run and outdoor industry so special,” said Christina Henderson, TRE Event Director. “Once again, we saw record-breaking attendance and our largest-ever exhibit hall, which is only a testament to the growth and excitement that is abundant in our industry right now. We’re proud of TRE’s role in that success.”

Fueling Growth in a Thriving Industry

The running market continues to expand, with rising participation and consumer spending. Reflecting this growth, TRE 2024 welcomed 4,872 total verified attendees—a 20% increase from 2023—and showcased 336 brands, including 111 new exhibitors. Spanning a 90,500 sq. ft. exhibit hall, 15% larger than the previous year, the event featured the latest in footwear, apparel, technology, and more, alongside dozens of educational sessions and networking opportunities.

TRE 2024 Highlights Included:

• Cutting-Edge Product Launches: Brands showcased breakthrough technologies in footwear, apparel, accessories, technology, and nutrition. 
• Switchback at TRE: Back for its third year, the outdoor-focused showcase included 45 brands and continued to support the increasing crossover between the running and outdoor markets. 
• Educational Sessions: Attendees chose between 28 conference sessions on customer loyalty, marketing, sustainability, and retail innovation, while Keynote Speaker Johnny Cupcakes shared creative retail strategies.
• Community Impact: The third annual Trail Cleanup, presented by ASICS, collected 600 pounds of trash from local Austin trails with over 250 participants.
• Interactive Experiences: Product demonstration, Training Camp Theater sessions, exhibit hall happy hours, and dedicated meetups for partner organizations, international retailers, and outdoor industry members created more opportunity for connection.
• TRE LIVE: PR Project hosted more than 30 interviews – all streamed live on FloTrack – with key brand representatives, athletes, and industry leaders throughout Wednesday and Thursday.
• Indie 5K x Cross Champs: The annual industry race was held on the Sound Running Cross Champs course at Camp Mabry and attracted hundreds of participants.
• 2024 Industry Awards Dinner: The celebration honored 63 Best Running Stores for their community and industry contributions.
  • Store of the Year: =PR= Run and Walk (Virginia)
  • Top Four Finalists: Up and Running (Dayton, OH), A Runner’s Mind (San Francisco, CA), =PR= Run & Walk (Virginia), and Fleet Feet (Fayetteville, NC).

Looking Ahead

With its significant growth and continued commitment to fostering community and innovation, TRE remains the cornerstone gathering for the running industry. TRE is already gearing up for next year, with the exciting announcement that the 2025 event will be hosted in San Antonio – a vibrant city known for its thriving outdoor and active lifestyle culture. Scheduled for December 2–4, 2025, The Running Event will take place at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

Additional coverage highlights of the 2024 event will be available at therunningevent.com and on social media channels. Stay informed on the latest TRE updates here. Interested in exploring exhibiting opportunities in 2025? Contact TRE Sales Manager Glenn Dulberg at [email protected].

About The Running Event

Launched in 2006, The Running Event (TRE) is North America’s premier specialty retail conference and trade show, attracting thousands of industry professionals each year who are seeking the latest in footwear, apparel, gear, and services. With numerous opportunities for peer learning, interactive conference programming, and dynamic product demonstrations and discovery, TRE has become the must-attend event for the run and outdoor specialty markets. In 2022, TRE expanded with the launch of Switchback, a dedicated space showcasing outdoor brands. The inaugural Switchback Spring will take place June 16-18, 2025, in Nashville, TN; TRE 2025 will take place December 2-4 in San Antonio, TX. For more information, visit www.therunningevent.com and www.switchbackevent.com.

Press Information:

Contacts: Obviouslee Marketing | [email protected]

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