RUNNING USA SURVEY: IMPORTANT YEAR

DO YOU WISH TO HELP MEMBERS OF THE RUNNING INDUSTRY plan for future events? 
Check out RunningUSA’s Global Running Survey – North American Edition. 
 
Your guidance is especially important for the upcoming few years, since in-person gatherings have mostly been changed to a virtual format. If you decide that these types of competitions should not only be alternatives during the days of Covid-19 restriction but become regular offerings it’s best to weigh in now, for the future. 
 
If you enjoy the flexibility and no-frills aspect of running/walking on a course of your choosing, within a several days long  window (virtual), rather than a specific start time at a single course location (traditional/real time), at least in some situations, encourage race directors to preserve this option by indicating you plan to run ‘virtuals’ in the next 6 months to one year.
 
If you think registration fees are too expensive for ‘virtuals’, considering there are no major site expenses for organizations to contend with (my opinion), your thoughts could benefit many who find the cost of such events prohibitive. 
 
This survey also asks takers to weigh in on the topics of diversity and inclusivity in the running community.  There are several questions that deal with how the sport can be more welcoming and an open-ended question to which a written response can be given.
 
When completing my survey in this area I chose to discuss, in personal terms, the issue of SAFETY. Please consider this aspect of running/walking before simply checking off boxes of pre-prepared responses.  My fear is that the industry will focus on making running events/races more welcoming for everyone, but not take on the bigger problem of everyday safety for runners and walkers. The reality is that some runners face danger every day when they take to the streets, neighborhoods, parks, and trails because of race or gender and sexual identity or orientation.
 
It is possible that, as members have united this year to present a strong front to address industry-wide economic hardships brought on by pandemic infection, they might be also be encouraged to examine the issue of running safety.   For all runners and walkers. 
 
Check out RunningUSA’s Global Running Survey – North American Edition soon. There aren’t many days until the survey closes.
 
RUN & MOVE HAPPY!
 
https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/5740361/2020-National-Runner-Survey