Number of Running Podcasts Surpasses Number of Actual Runners

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The popularity of podcasts has exploded in recent years, a phenomenon that’s led to a peculiar development in the running space—for the first time ever, the number of podcasts about running has surpassed the number of actual runners worldwide.

That’s just one startling fact from a report released today by the World Podcast Association (WPA), a trade group based in Delano, California. The report notes that the world’s estimated population of runners is 82,540,000 and that the number of running podcasts reached 82,540,001 on August 16, with the launch of “Running With Trevor,” described as “a fun 60 minutes or so about all things running, with your host, Trevor.”

“That one officially tilted the scales,” said Frank Roosevelt, president of the WPA. “We can now say with some authority that, worldwide, running podcasts outnumber runners.”

“It’s quite a feat,” he added, “and the trend shows no signs of slowing.”

Among the report’s other findings:

  • Every runner in the world has been a guest on a running podcast at least twice.

  • The average audience size for a running podcast is 14.

  • Nearly 85% of running podcast creators wanted to call their podcast “Running Down a Dream” or “Running Commentary” before learning that those names were taken.

  • More than 90% of running podcast creators describe their podcasts as “just a casual conversation, like we’re on a run with our guest.”

  • At least 15% of running podcasts are devoted to examining and discussing other running podcasts.

Reached for comment, Trevor said he was surprised and honored to learn that his podcast was the one responsible for the historic shift.

“Cool,” he said. “That will give me something to talk about in my second episode, since I don’t have a guest lined up yet.”

He then cut the conversation short, explaining that he had to make a Skype call.

“I’m being interviewed for a buddy’s podcast.”