Running Experience Survey 2025
4: Race characteristics
The RXS collected data on a range of questions relating to runners’ perceptions of races they had participated in.
In this section we will explore some of this data, looking at the ways different types of race are perceived, and what kinds of runners different types of race appeal to most.
Descriptions of the runner groupings used on this page can be found here.
4.1 Types of race
Distinguishing features
Based on responses to the survey, the five most common types of race and their key characteristics are outlined below:
Road race
- Distinctive elements: Many spectators, Commercialised, Lots of media coverage
- Things done well: Medal, Route marking/signage, Drink stations
- Common gripes: Start line organisation, Stewarding
- Average satisfaction: 8.58
- Most common organiser: Event company
- Most common distance: 10k
Characteristic runner:
Community Enthusiast
Trail race
- Distinctive elements: Challenging, Beautiful scenery, Informal atmosphere
- Things done well: Facilities at start/finish, Drink stations, Start line organisation
- Common gripes: Route marking/signage, Timing technology
- Average satisfaction: 8.85
- Most common organiser: Event company
- Most common distance: Ultra-marathon
Characteristic runner:
Experiential Runner
Parkrun/
Other park race
- Distinctive elements: Informal atmosphere, Easy to get to, Friendly staff
- Things done well: Ease of venue access, Stewarding, Start line organisation
- Common gripes: Photography, Facilities at start/finish
- Average satisfaction: 8.97
- Most common organiser: Volunteers
- Most common distance: 5k
Characteristic runner:
Community Enthusiast
Fell race
- Distinctive elements: Challenging, Beautiful scenery, Unique race
- Things done well: Start line organisation, Facilities at start/finish, Stewarding
- Common gripes: Timing technology, Speed and accuracy of race results
- Average satisfaction: 9.21
- Most common organiser: Running club
- Most common distance: 10km-21.1km
Characteristic runner:
Experiential Runner
Track race
- Distinctive elements: Fast course, Competitive race, Many spectators
- Things done well: Timing tech, Ease of access, Speed/accuracy of results
- Common gripes: Stewarding, Signage
- Average satisfaction: 8.52
- Most common organiser: Running club
- Most common distance: Between 1,500m and 5,000m
Characteristic runner:
Competitive Achiever
4.2 Gender balance
Gender differences in types of race
Different types of running event attract male and female participants in different proportions.
The data from this survey – and others – suggests much lower participation in track athletics and fell running than other forms of the sport.
Running Experience Survey
© Neil Baxter 2025
Please always cite using: Baxter, N. (2025). Running Experience Survey. Running Studies. https://runningstudies.co.uk/running-experience-survey