What’s the Average Cost of Running? We Break Down the Spending, Plus How to Budget

Running consumes your time, your energy, and likely a good chunk of your bank account. As a runner, you probably spend a pretty penny on quality running shoes, race entries, gear, coaching, and nutrition products each year. These items aren’t exactly cheap, but they help fuel your goal races, carry you through interval workouts, and push you to your next PR. So, it’s worth it, right?

To help you put your spending into perspective—and maybe help you answer whether it really is worth it—we highlight the average cost of being a runner using data from the 2024 All About 75 Hard conducted by Running USA, which included more than 7,400 responses from runners across the country.

While the 2024 report doesn’t offer the average amount in total, according to Running USA’s 2022 Global Runner survey, runners spend an average of nearly $1,800 on the sport in a year.

That’s a pretty hefty sum for running alone, and while you may think of running as a less expensive sport than others, considering all you really need is a good pair of shoes, it’s easy to get swept up in trends and eagerly spend more.

Breaking the bank for your yearly run budget might not be an option, so it’s up to you to weigh the costs. To make things easy, we explore the average costs of running expenses, discuss how to build a run budget, Shoes & Gear.

of runners spent more than $400 on running and/or

Many run coaches encourage you to lace up a new pair of

percent of runners who spent more than $400 total on races of runners spent more than $400 on running and/or

percent of runners who spent $100 or less on tech gear in the last year

amount of money 47% of runners spent on nutrition and hydration of runners spent more than $400 on running and/or

in the past year

Your running shoes carry you through every mile, and literally lay the foundation for every step, so runners are rightfully pretty shoe-obsessed. In fact, the Running in the Cold made more than $15 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $19 billion by 2030.

Many run coaches encourage you to lace up a new pair of running shoes once your old pair reaches 300 to 500 miles, so you likely need more than one pair in a given year if you’re a frequent or high-mileage runner. In fact, runners purchased an average of three pairs of shoes of runners spent more than $400 on running and/or, according to the Running USA survey.

Brooks holds the spot for last year’s top running shoe brand for both training and racing, according to the survey. And Runner’s World's Brooks Ghost 16 running shoe—the percent of runners who spent $100 or less on tech gear in the last year—currently retails for $140, while other shoes on our list of favorites range in price from $110 to $285. So consider which pairs are best for your budget.

As for average stats:

• 25% of runners spent more than $400 on running and/or walking shoes of runners spent more than $400 on running and/or
• 18% Many run coaches encourage you to lace up a new pair of
• 25% spent between $201 and $300
• 25% Running in the Cold
• 5% Whether your goal is to run a
• 2% spent nothing

There’s no question that race fees have increased over the past few years, likely due to inflation. In fact, race prices for all distances increased from 2019 to 2023, according to RunSignUp’s 2023 Race Trends report. More specifically, one-mile race prices saw a 15 percent increase, 5K prices went up by 7 percent, 10K prices went up by 11 percent, half marathon prices went up by 5 percent, and marathon prices went up by 2 percent.

Runners have picked up on the rise in race costs, too: 62 percent of runners agree that race fees are too expensive, according to the 2024 Running USA survey.

Whether your goal is to run a marathon, half marathon, or even a couple 5Ks, it's important to consider how much money you’re willing to spend. In the past year, 30 percent of runners spent more than $400 on race entry fees alone—which is easy to do if you’re running one of the major marathons. The Race Trends report costs $315 ($255 for NYRR members) and the Boston Marathon costs $250.

runners spend an average of nearly $1,800 on the sport in a year.

According to the Running USA survey, the total cost of race fees of runners spent more than $400 on running and/or vary:

• 30% of runners spent more than $400 total
• 18% Many run coaches encourage you to lace up a new pair of
• 24% spent between $201 and $300
• 20% Running in the Cold
• 8% spent $100 or less

A 5K, 10K, or shorter-distance race will obviously save you some money compared to a longer distance race, but they’re not often free:

• <1% of runners spent more than $100 on 5Ks, 10Ks, and shorter races
• 4% spent between $71 and $100
• 16% spent between $51 and $70
• 54% spent between $31 and $50
• 25% spent $30 or less

Half marathon entry fees run higher:

• 2% of runners spent $151 or more on half marathons
• 21% spent between $101 and $150
• 42% spent between $71 and $100
• 23% spent between $51 and $70
• 9% spent between $31 and $50
• 3% spent $30 or less

With no surprise, marathons and longer distances cost the most:

• 28% of runners spent $151 or more on marathons
• 38% spent between $101 and $150
• 19% spent between $71 and $100
• 8% spent between $51 and $70
• 4% spent between $31 and $50
• 3% spent $30 or less

Maybe the seasons change and you need a good pair of gloves. Maybe it’s time to say goodbye to the shrinking pair of spandex shorts sitting in your bottom drawer. Whatever the reason, you’ll likely purchase some new running apparel at some point during the year, and the cost of that can vary widely.

That shows for the runners in the global survey:

• 15% of runners spent more than $400 on running and/or walking apparel of runners spent more than $400 on running and/or
• 13% Many run coaches encourage you to lace up a new pair of
• 21% spent between $201 and $300
• 28% Running in the Cold
• 20% spent $100 or less
• 3% spent nothing

Some running gear, like sports bras, should definitely get a spot on your yearly budget. They contain compressive material that can wear down over time and in the wash.

Scott Tantino, seasoned runner and owner of North Wales Running Company in North Wales, Pennsylvania, has a sign hanging in his store that reads: “Your sports bras should never celebrate a birthday,” and for good reason. “The washing and drying process often breaks down the compression and support of the bra faster than other apparel,” he says.

Because of this, Tantino recommends replacing your sports bra about once a year.

When it comes to tech, most gadgets like your running watch, will last multiple years, so after the initial purchase, you probably don’t need to budget for it on a yearly basis.

But for that initial purchase, you can account for a price anywhere from $70 to $250 for a basic watch, or $400 to $1,000 for the more advanced GPS watches.

You may also want to account for earbuds when it comes to tech. And according to our list of the best for runners, they range in price from $30 to $250.

According to the Running USA survey, here’s what people spent of runners spent more than $400 on running and/or:

• 12% of runners spent $400 or more on tech gear of runners spent more than $400 on running and/or
• 7% spent $301 and $400
• 13% spent between $201 and $300
• 15% Running in the Cold
• 25% spent $100 or less
• 28% spent nothing

You may be surprised by how much it costs to stock up on gels, energy chews, and other fuel like electrolyte packets or tablets.

For yearly cost of nutrition and hydration, the Running USA survey found:

• 11% of runners spent more than $400 of runners spent more than $400 on running and/or
• 9% Many run coaches encourage you to lace up a new pair of
• 19% spent between $201 and $300
• 28% Running in the Cold
• 29% spent $100 or less
• 4% spent nothing (which is probably not the best move if you have a marathon on deck!)

According to Fleet Feet’s Running Report, the most popular energy gels sold in 2024 were Maurten 100 gels, original and caffeinated. The Maurten Gel 100 typically costs $4 each, but a box of 12 costs about $43.

On the cheaper end, GU gels, another popular choice among runners according to the Fleet Feet data, cost $2.50 each, or you can opt to purchase a box of eight for about $13, or a box of 24 for about $39.

To put that into a yearly budget, we did a little math for those prepping for a marathon: Dietitians recommend runners fuel with at least 30 grams of carbohydrates per hour on long runs lasting longer than about 90 minutes. For purposes of this breakdown, let’s say that means long runs of 12 miles or longer, taking in a gel every hour.

If you’re following Runner’s World’s training plan to break four hours in the marathon, you likely need about 30 gels for your entire 16-week training cycle—including race day—with the goal of having some extra on hand.

If you purchase an eight-pack and a 24-pack of GU gels to meet that 30-gel quota, that adds up to about $52 for your marathon training cycle. If you opt for Maurten, three 12-packs will cost about $129.

Of course, it’s important to note that these numbers will vary widely depending on your pace, your individual fueling needs, what your stomach actually tolerates, and what you want to eat. And that’s just for one marathon—and doesn’t include items like electrolyte tablets—so if you have more races on your schedule, you’ll also need more fuel.

Coaching may not be the most popular expense for the average runner—the survey found that 68 percent of runners didn’t use a running coach of runners spent more than $400 on running and/or—but it is an extremely beneficial tool to consider using if you’re working toward a major running goal like running a sub-two-hour half marathon, or breaking 20 minutes in the 5K.

For those who did spend some cash on coaching (and training was also included in this category):

• 12% of runners spent more than $400 of runners spent more than $400 on running and/or
• 5% Many run coaches encourage you to lace up a new pair of
• 8% spent between $201 and $300
• 10% Running in the Cold
• 20% spent $100 or less
• 44% spent $0

A run coach can cost between $50 and $200 per month (or more), making it one of the bigger running expenses. Some runners find the benefits of having a run coach worth the price, while others opt out and follow a training plan on their own.

By the way, join Runner’s World for $60 for the year for premium all access, which means you get all of our training plans, plus plenty of tips to get you ready for all race distances!

If you want to keep track of your run spending—and make sure you’re spending your money in a smart way—we have a few tips for you to keep in mind.

1. Categorize Your Spending Habits

Think of the different categories you need to cover: shoes, race fees, apparel, watches, fuel, and coaching services. There are categories that you really need to budget for, starting with footwear, explains Tantino, and those which fall in the maybe category, and then those that you probably don’t need.

After shoes, the next most important items for runners include a correctly-fitted sports bra and breathable socks.

After you prioritize the basics, sift through what you may want to buy for your running journey. (Hello, shiny new Garmin watch!) And write out your budget from there.

2. Budget Around Your Goal Races

You don’t have to sign up for every race that piques your interest. Gemma Ward, a RRCA-certified run coach and training and products specialist for New York Road Runners, recommends setting a few goal races—say, a spring half marathon and a fall marathon—and budgeting from there.

“We live in a running boom where everyone wants to sign up for everything, and obviously that’s going to be quite expensive,” she says.

Take a look at the dates of upcoming races for the coming year, and pick out those goal races. If you BQ’d, your goal race is likely the Boston Marathon. If you’re a beginner, you might set out to crush it at a local 5K.

From there, you can calculate the minimum amount you plan to spend on race entry fees for the year, and then add in the costs of your race day must-haves (a run coach, a box of gels, and a pair of new shoes, for example). Fill in whatever you have left for additional races, if that’s where you want to spend the rest of your running budget.

3. Keep Track

Once you have all the necessary information on what you plan to spend, Ward recommends adding this info to a spreadsheet to keep track of estimated costs. This helps you hold yourself accountable by sticking to the budget laid out in front of you, avoid unnecessary or excessive purchases (do you really need a massage gun or can you opt for a cheaper foam roller?), and compare your budget to your yearly income to see how much you can actually afford.

1. Register Early

A smart way to avoid race fee expenses is to register as early as possible, as this is often when races are the cheapest.

“We really do live in a time where races are selling out really, really quickly,” says Ward. She suggests taking a look at your yearly run calendar in advance and committing to the races you know for sure you want to run (and can get into).

This can look like sitting down in January to sign up for a November marathon, or bookmarking the website of your local summer 5K to be ready for when registration opens.

2. Try Out a Shoe Rotation

Because you have about 300 to 500 miles to put on your running shoes before they retire, you want to make them last closer to that 500 without risking injury. Some runners will rotate between two pairs of trainers because they’ll last longer, splitting mileage up between two shoes. Tantino recommends creating a solid shoe rotation, if you’re able to afford more than one pair at a time (which can also help reduce risk of injury, by the way!).

Rotating between two pairs throughout the year increases the lifespan of each shoe by about 50 to 100 miles, explains Tantino, buying you some time before purchasing a third pair. Tantino explains that having a second pair to wear gives the cushioning material in the shoes more time to expand back after being compressed during a run.

3. Take Care of Your Apparel

It’s important to take care of your running clothes between uses, specifically sports bras. Tantino recommends following the care instructions on the label. He explains that you should never use fabric softener on sports bras (or most athletic apparel, for that matter), and always hang them dry to protect the fabric.

The more care that you put into washing your gear between runs, the more likely they are to last the full year.

4. Consider When It’s Worth Getting a Subscription

Some subscriptions are absolutely worth a few dollars per month, especially if you have access to various training plans, expert-backed tips, and tools. (Runner’s World offers all of the above, which is why it’s worth the investment!)

If you’re competitive, a Strava premium subscription offers segment leaderboards, advanced training features, more in-depth performance data, and other perks that may help you reach your goals. But, if you don’t use these features regularly, you shell out an extra $7 per month—or about $80 per year—for little to no use, on top of everything else that helps you run your best.

Also, on the fueling front, some websites act as a one-stop shop for all of your nutritional needs, like The Feed and Fuel Good, which offer value packs and subscription programs for gels and other forms of fuel—a smart idea if you have a couple marathons on your calendar.

5. Join a Group

Individual run coaching can cost upward of $200 a month, but some coaches offer group programs for lower prices, which can help you make the most of your money. For example, McMillan coaching offers run team coaching for $36 per month, while individual coaching starts at $199 per month.

The sacrifice with group coaching is that you likely won’t have as much one-on-one contact with your coach, but keep in mind that if you train with a group, you also get a small community of other runners to meet and inspire (and some more advanced runners can answer your questions, too).

Ward recommends joining a run group to build a sense of community that’s priceless. “Even though it’s not racing every weekend, you’re still getting out there, you’re still running, and that can be a cheaper and a rewarding thing to do,” says Ward.

6. Shop Locally

Inevitably, you’re going to spend money on the sport you love, and it matters where that money goes. When you shop at a local running store, your money stays within your community and supports fellow runners. Local run stores often give back to the running community by hosting or sponsoring 5Ks and supporting local school programs.

You also get peace of mind knowing that you leave the store with exactly what you want, so no cent goes to waste. That’s because local running stores often give you a one-on-one experience for trying on different pairs of shoes, answering your questions about fit, and assisting you with your other running needs.

Kristine Kearns

Associate Health & Fitness Editor

Kristine Kearns, a writer and avid runner, joined Runner’s World and Bicycling in July 2024. She previously coached high school girls cross country and currently competes in seasonal races, with more than six years of distance training and an affinity for weightlifting. You can find her wearing purple, baking cupcakes, and visiting her local farmers market.