According to the soon to be released Running USA’s 2016 National Runner Survey, the answer is YES! This year’s study reports that 60% of runners carry their phones while running. This number continues to rise each year and shows the growing influence that technology has on the running industry –this is great news for RaceJoy!
We believe this continued growth of runners carrying their phone is due to the growing capabilities that phones offer a runner to add to and help their running experience, including the motivation of music, live tracking, cheer sending, performance updates, photo taking and connecting with others. It was the vision behind RaceJoy and one we are happy to see being fulfilled!
All types of runners carry their phones and use RaceJoy during the race; the “Serious Steves”, as we like to call them, to the “Novice Nancys”. In the end each is accomplishing a personal goal and want to share that achievement with others. As phones have become more powerful, manufacturers have kept the formats streamlined and light. The iPhone 6 weighs in at 4.55 ounces where the Samsung Galaxy S6 weighs 4.87 ounces. It is a bit interesting when we encounter a petite runner carrying one of the larger phone formats like the iPhone 6Plus (6.07 ounces). So hard not to tease when the phone is bigger than their head! Though, the majority of RaceJoy users continue to be iPhone 6 and 5 users.
The Running USA study also reports that 50% runners are sharing their race experience with others through social media, which shows road races have become more of a socially shared experience. We definitely see this growing trend in RaceJoy with race participants using RaceJoy to post their progress alerts to their personal Facebook and Twitter walls – though Facebook continues to have much greater posts than Twitter. Since RaceJoy issues progress alerts at every mile on the course, this provides valuable promotion for the race and sponsor.
Another growing trend from the study? 40% of runners listed Facebook as the primary method for finding out about a race. This creates an opportunity for the races to connect with a larger pool of potential registrants and expand their reach to include race participants’ Facebook friends and families.
RaceJoy gives participants an easy-to-use platform to spread the word about an upcoming race on their Facebook and Twitter walls. Runners build their personal race day fan club by posting “Track and Send Me Cheer” requests for an upcoming event. Each post provides valuable exposure for the race.
These are just a few highlights that Running USA shared about their 2016 National Runner Survey which is set to release on Thursday, April 28. For more information, click here.
About RaceJoy
RaceJoy is a mobile app designed for runners, walkers and cyclists to have an innovative race experience and to share it with family and friends. The features are founded on the latest technology, using the GPS location of a participant’s phone to provide live, continuous tracking on an interactive course map, progress alerts (typically at every mile) with pace and estimated finish time, and motivational cheer sending.
If you’d like to offer RaceJoy to your participants and spectators, you can load your race through RaceJoy’s Website or on your race’s RunSignUp dashboard. We require a two-week minimum load time.
