How diverse and inclusive is running in America?
This past June, the Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, released a series of three studies on racial representation in running participation and industry employment. Produced in partnership with Bentley University, these in-depth analyses provide first-of-its-kind research to establish a baseline measure for progress towards 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’ – include the following findings, which highlight core issues to be addressed:
Fourteen percent of the U.S. population is Black/African American. In the running industry, 11 percent of employees are Black/African American, and a mere 1 percent hold senior management leadership positions.
Almost 80 percent of senior executives leading DEI initiatives are white, while only 15 percent are Black/African American.
Seventy percent of running organizations have DEI goals, but 59 percent don’t track progress.
Approximately 34 percent of runners (16 million people) are people of color, according to data from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA).
The U.S. population is becoming increasingly more racially diverse, and the U.S. Census projects that people of color will be the majority by 2045, at 51 percent.
Qualitatively, runners of color don’t feel valued as consumers or athletes, from unmet product needs to unaddressed – and endemic – safety concerns.
“Our goal at the 26.2 Foundation is to honor, celebrate, and inspire the power of the human spirit through marathoning,” said Tim Kilduff, President of the 26. 2 Foundation. “We cannot fully do that without recognizing the racial disparities in the sport. We acknowledge there is work for us to do and we join the Running Industry Diversity Coalition to ensure Black, Indigenous, and other people of color are welcomed, valued, and amplified.”
The 26. 2 Foundation is committed to the following action items:
Reflecting on what the Foundation can do to create space for the nearly 16 million BIPOC runners and joggers who are currently out running. We will do this by evaluating our current program, identifying areas of improvement for inclusion, as well as gaps that need to be addressed.
Centering, listening to, and learning from voices that have been historically left out of conversations in the running industry. We will do this by asking for input and listening to different and diverse perspectives as we improve and expand our programming. In addition, we will explore a membership opportunity with RIDC, as well as formally meet with their team bi-annually to ensure ongoing accountability of our shared goals.
Continuing to share, and reference, the RIDC Research reports as they relate to our mission, programming, awareness, and support of diversity in the sport of running.
You can read all the RIDC research reports at www.runningdiversity.com/research.
