RIDC's Guide to TRE 2025 in San Antonio
We're excited to deepen our partnership with The Running Event (TRE) this year, as we advance a shared vision: a running world that's accessible, welcoming, and reflective of all communities. Through this collaboration, RIDC helps shape educational programming, community events, and scholarships that provide mentorship and opportunity across the run specialty industry.
During TRE 2025, you'll see this partnership in action:
Education sessions: RIDC will lead or join five sessions on how intentional partnerships grow community engagement and loyalty.
CommUnity Run/Walk: Open to TRE attendees and the local San Antonio community to connect, move, and celebrate a new TRE city.
The RIDC House: Beginning Wednesday afternoon, stop by to connect, participate in interactive fun, and build energy before the space opens for THE COOKOUT.
THE COOKOUT (RIDC's signature event and fundraiser): Celebrate RIDC's fifth anniversary with networking, good food, dancing, singing/rapping, and relationship building.
New voices and stories: We're bringing nearly 50 BIPOC participants to TRE through scholarships, speakers, and event planning, while also hiring locally to support the community.
RIDC's work with TRE is more than a collaboration; it's the intentional weaving of our mission into movement. We're both a community partner creating meaningful programming and a committed advocate for representation across every touchpoint of the event.
Explore our full event schedule below, along with ways to get involved and support RIDC, even if you can't attend. If you'll be in San Antonio, comment below and let us know your plans!
Tuesday, December 2
📝 DEEP DIVE: The Future of Run Specialty: Athletes, Brands & Retailers in Conversation on Representation, Community & Consumer Loyalty 9:30 AM
How do brands, retailers, and athletes build the trust, loyalty, and representation needed to keep the run specialty industry thriving? Join this fireside-format conversation to explore how storytelling, community engagement, and authentic partnerships can power growth — and walk away with actionable strategies for collaboration across the industry. Open to all Badgeholders! View panelists here.
📌 FEATURED SESSION: Built to Perform, Styled to Inspire: How Design and Storytelling Shape the Culture of Running 4:45 PM
Design is never just about product. It is about roots, heritage, and cultural influences that shape how people move and express themselves today. This conversation will show how storytelling transforms shopping from a transaction into a meaningful connection. When retailers carry the design process story from its historical origins through its cultural context, customers leave with more than gear. They leave with a story to share with friends, communities, and platforms like TikTok, creating a cycle of loyalty, pride, and cultural relevance that strengthens both the retailer and the community. Open to all Badgeholders! View panelists here.
🥳 Private Welcome Mixer For Scholarship Recipients 6:30 PM
Meet the current and future leaders we are bringing with us—from folks in the world of run specialty to trailblazing community organizers. This program is made possible by TRE and On.
Wednesday, December 3
👟 RIDC CommUnity Run, powered by Saucony 6:15 AM
Saucony and RIDC invite you to join us for a special community run/walk! Whether you're in town for TRE or part of the local running scene, start your day with movement, connection, and giveaways along the San Antonio River Walk. Experience San Antonio at its most peaceful and inspiring, while connecting with local running groups and industry leaders from across the country. Registration is open!
📝 TRAINING CAMP THEATER: The Practice of Showing Up: Building Community in Our Industry 12:00 PM
Join our Senior Program Manager, Abigail Hollie, as she moderates a panel for Take the Lead! Together, they'll explore how meaningful, equitable relationships can be a catalyst for both personal and professional growth. With deep experience spanning advocacy, strategy, brand leadership, and entrepreneurship, they bring a multidimensional perspective to community-building and leadership. The panelists will share lessons learned from creating spaces that center belonging and offer reflections from past Take the Lead events. View panelists here.
🏃🏾♀️ TRAINING CAMP THEATER: Creating Pathways with On: Women & Girls in Movement 2:00 PM
Walking, hiking, running, and going to the gym are among the most accessible forms of movement — yet barriers remain, especially for women 18–34 who are new to movement or navigating underserved environments. In partnership with On, the RIDC is leading a community-centered research project on the lived experiences, motivators, and challenges of women in movement. This panel will share early findings and feature community leaders discussing what's working, what isn't, and how the running industry can collaborate to build inclusive, sustainable pathways into movement. View panelists here.
THE COOKOUT
The event of the year is coming back! THE COOKOUT is a time to celebrate our differences and recognize the power of our collective work to make the running industry better for everyone. Come for the good food, stay for the music, networking, and vibes.
In our first year, more than 300 people RSVPed. By the second year, we doubled that number, with over 700 RSVPs, proof of how much this space means to our community and the industry. The event is free to attend and open to all, with an option to make a donation during registration. Every contribution supports RIDC's programming and mission. Registration is open!
Thank you to our 2025 event sponsors so far: HOKA, ASICS, Altra, New Balance, Strava, Brooks, Superfeet, Feetures, and On. Interested in sponsoring THE COOKOUT? You still have time. Visit this link.
Thursday, December 4
👋🏾 All Day Wednesday & Thursday. The RIDC booth will be the place to be. Our staff, board, and community members will be at the booth throughout the two days, and we can't wait to see you there. We will have resources, merch, and giveaways. We will be at booth #15119 (next to HOKA and TRE)
🏆 2025 Industry Awards: Celebrating Run Specialty Leaders - RIDC is giving an award! The Community Collaboration Award is a meaningful recognition that highlights a run specialty employee who is building intentional partnerships that help expand the reach and relevance of running in their local community. Nominate someone today!
Meet RIDC's 2025 TRE Scholarship Recipients
We are thrilled to once again provide opportunities and access to running industry events where RIDC community members can learn, grow, and flourish. Many thanks to our partners, TRE and On, for helping us make these pathways possible for TRE. Partnerships like these move our mission from words to action, ensuring that more leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers are not only represented but also shaping the future of the running industry.
Can’t Wait to See You There!
Save this newsletter as your RIDC x TRE guide and share it with others who should be part of the experience. Also, check out the event's full lineup on the TRE website. It looks amazing! RIDC community members can receive $100 off their #TRE25 ticket. Use promo code: RIDCTRE25 during registration. See you in San Antonio!