I was reminded of that again at the Air Force Marathon expo just recently. Spending time there made me think not only about how much race weekend means to the people participating, but also about how many pieces of our industry have to come together to create that experience.
There is the race itself, but behind it are race directors, timing companies, volunteers, travel and hospitality, footwear and apparel brands, specialty retailers, event vendors, coaches, clubs, health professionals, and countless others. All of those pieces eventually connect with one person who has a goal.
Maybe that person is trying to run the race of their life. Maybe they are attempting a distance they once thought was impossible. Maybe they simply want running or walking to help them feel better in their everyday life.
That bigger picture is important to me when I think about the role of the Running Industry Association. Our purpose is to elevate run specialty, but run specialty does not exist in isolation. The RIA is made up of retailers, brands, and associate partners, but the value of bringing those groups together is ultimately much larger than any one segment of the industry. Our opportunity is to strengthen the connections between all of us so that, collectively, we can make running better for the people we serve.
That means creating opportunities to learn from one another, solve problems together, build stronger businesses, and understand how each part of the industry contributes to the whole. Membership and connection remain at the core of what the RIA should do.
The Board is also continuing the work of strengthening the organization itself. We are currently working through the process of identifying an interim Executive Director who can help provide leadership and operational continuity while we thoughtfully prepare for a broader search for RIA’s next permanent Executive Director.
We want to move with purpose, but we also want to get this right. The interim period gives us an opportunity to continue advancing our priorities while taking the appropriate time to define what the organization needs from its long-term leadership.
There is a lot ahead of us: The Running Event, upcoming Huddles and Mastermind opportunities, continued membership work, and planning for the 2027 RIA Summit. Through all of it, our focus remains on creating more value, stronger connections, and a healthier run specialty industry.
Fall is a great reminder of what makes this industry special. There are a lot of people doing very different jobs, but ultimately we are all contributing to the same thing: helping people discover what running can add to their lives.
Thank you for being part of it.
Eric Contreras
President
Running Industry Association
