RIDC Media & Round Up August 2026
The Running Event just released its list of the Best Running Stores of 2026, and we couldn’t be prouder of our friends and partners who made the list! The awards program honors run specialty stores for their dedication to their communities, staff, and innovation. This year the program received more than 8,300 nominations representing 268 unique stores across 49 states, highlighting the passion, talent, and commitment that define the run specialty industry. Congratulations to the winners!
It Is Time for the Outdoor Industry to Stop Erasing Women Over 50. Theresa Baker points out the double standard between how aging male athletes are celebrated for their longevity and expertise, while accomplished older women often disappear from campaigns, ambassador programs, and media coverage. She is challenging brands to rethink who gets to be seen as strong, adventurous, and aspirational and reminds the industry that representation should have no age limit.
NYC Marathon winner Hellen Obiri stars in On’s new campaign aimed at showcasing the ‘emotional’ side of running by following alongside her daily training routes in Boulder, Colorado. The new spot, dubbed “Race for the Feeling,” is the first expression of On’s new “Run On Clouds” brand platform that was unveiled last month, and “signals a shift away” from performance storytelling rooted only in metrics, towards one centered around human feeling
Students Run Philly Style is now accepting applications for its 2026 Extra Mile Alumni Scholarship! This scholarship is a $3,000 award ($1500 per year for 2 years) designed to help SRPS alumni finish their postsecondary education, such as college, university, trade, or school. Click here to learn more and share with a student!
FloSports has teamed up with HOKA and Fleet Feet on a multi-year content and community partnership built around track & field. The collaboration will combine editorial coverage, original video, social storytelling, retail activations, and in-person fan experiences, tracking athletes' journeys from now through the 2028 LA Olympics. Content will include behind-the-scenes features, "Workout Wednesday" training content, and coverage tied to major meets, with watch parties bringing the partnership into local communities.
Getting older isn’t a sign of weakness in your running journey; it just may be time to make some changes in your routine. Cindy Kuzma shares how masters runners and sport psychology experts showed her how to fight for the future instead of the past. Check out how to adapt your running goals in midlife for easier and happier runs.
Marie Claire's Ally Head points out the surge of women in running and asks industry voices why now. From the London Marathon's record 40% female finish rate to a 250% jump in Strava running clubs. Experts point to visibility, social media role models, more inclusive run clubs, and a cultural shift away from "getting smaller" toward strength and community.
Trail running is becoming more and more popular in the running industry, but at what cost? What is gained and what is lost when trail running goes mainstream? Field Mag dives into the pros and cons of big money entering the sport and how it changes the dynamics of trail running.
Kids these days are just built different… literally. Wired's Brendan Koerner digs into "trackflation," the spike in youth track times where four-minute miles and near-elite sprint marks are becoming almost normal for middle and high schoolers. Better shoes, smarter training, and a generation that's grown up obsessed with the sport are pushing young runners to heights past generations never touched. Proof that the next wave of track talent is arriving faster than anyone expected.