Running by the numbers: Raleigh runners prepare to take on the City of Oaks Marathon
The patter of footsteps fall on pavement. With focused determination, the runners drive forward. David's watch beeps. He holds up his hand to let the group he's leading know that a five-minute interval is over.
The runners I am tagging along with during a training event are part of Fleet Feet's No Boundaries program, designed to help people run their first 5K (3.1 miles).
"In reality, people can run on their own if they want," said Gina James, training program director with Fleet Feet.
There’s a saying among runners that if you want to go fast, go alone – if you want to go far, go together.
Only about 15% of the population logs some miles regularly – and even fewer - 0.1% - actually race, research shows. This Sunday, more than 5,800 runners will be toeing the line, ready to take on the City of Oaks Marathon.
James' training group welcomes everyone from seasoned runners to first timers.
"Through programs like this, we’re encouraging people to get out there and do hard things," she said.
James says she has seen interest grow over the last few years. An analysis of Google Trends shows the pandemic had a positive impact on the sport. It piqued people’s interest since it was something they could alone and outdoors. In the years that followed, registration for the City of Oaks races jumped. It is up 35% since 2021, according to organizers.
"The more people that get involved, the more organizations that get involved, the better it gets and the more it grows," Charlie Mercer, the CEO of Capstone Events which puts on the race.
It is especially growing among women -- 56% of those registered this weekend identify as female and people who are 30 to 34 make up the largest share of those running. When it comes to longer distances though, men are primarily tackling the marathon here, historic data has shown. Last year, 71% of those who finished the 26.2-mile tour around Raleigh were men.
The community is more inclusive, globally, as well. While new world records were set in the marathon by both men and women this year, the average finishing time is significantly slower than it was in the past. It is taking runners about 40 minutes longer to finish a marathon now than in 1986, research shows.
That isn't a bad thing though, James said. She said it speaks to how diverse the sport is becoming and it means that people of every age, pace, race and gender are learning that they belong here.
"We have a great run community," she said. "It supportive and people that come after a while, we call each other family."
