Every year, millions of people participate in marathons, bike races and even obstacle courses with endurance sports. But Channel 2′s Michael Seiden learned that many organizations could soon be out of business and they’re asking for help.
Competitors from across the country descended on moonlight stables Saturday for this weekend’s Savage Race in Paulding County.
Alex Walker dominated the competition, earning a first place finish in the women’s division. Seiden spoke with Walker after she conquered the 7-mile obstacle course about what it was like participating in this event in the middle of a pandemic.
“It was awesome. It actually felt a lot more normal, except for everyone wearing masks and hand sanitizer being everywhere,” Walker said. “I think it’s really cool. They really do have safety precautions. Before you enter, they take your temperature and they ask the questions."
But in the world of endurance sports, which includes marathons, triathlons, cycling races and obstacle courses, the coronavirus pandemic has been an nightmare.
In a letter sent to congress in July, the Endurance Sports Coalition warned lawmakers that “without further support from Congress, we are likely to see over 80% of this industry disappear by the end of 2020.”
Joe De Sena is the CEO of Spartan, the endurance and obstacle race company that puts on dozens of global races, including right here in Georgia.
Since the pandemic began, De Sena has has been forced to furlough 75% of his staff of about 500. He also made the tough decision to cancel all events through 2020.
“It’s very hard to run a business like we do where people sign up in advance for events . They train , they buy airline tickets or train tickets or book hotels rooms , they get everything organized only to find out that that venue, that state that local government canceled our ability to put on an event.”
The more than $3 billion endurance sports industry makes most of its money off the registration fees paid by participants. But organizers of these events are now finding new ways to stop the bleeding.
Rich Kenah is the executive director of Atlanta Track Club. The non-profit’s biggest event of the year is the AJC Peachtree Road Race. But this year, the world’s largest 10K that usually takes place on the 4th of July has been moved to Thanksgiving Day. The entire race will be virtual.
“We decided to lean into the virtual running in Peachtree that allows us to celebrate those traditions," Kenah said.
Jeff Matlow, President of the Board of Directors of Running USA, told Seiden that endurance sports have a huge impact on local economies. That is one of the reasons why people should care even if they aren’t competitors.
“Keeping people healthy is No. 1," Matlow said. ″No, 2, running events and endurance events bring a lot of money to local and state governments and that enables local businesses to stick around. And three, it’s small companies that are trying to survive."
The AJC Peachtree Road Race usually attracts 60,000 participants from around the world. The latest analysis done in 2015 by the non-profit Midtown Alliance estimates a $15 million impact across metro Atlanta.
Cox Media Group
