What the data says
The highlights
- 78%
Running is how they want to travel
78% of respondents said the reason a running trip appeals is wanting to explore somewhere in a more active, immersive way than a normal vacation.
- 50%
The group is the missing piece at home
Half of survey respondents mostly run alone. For many, a trip is the rare chance to run with people who want to be out as long as they do.
- 37%
Planning is the barrier, not desire
Nearly four in ten respondents want to travel, but say planning the trip themselves is what stops them. The same share are interested in training and continuing to run, but for reasons that aren't races.
- 63%
Urgency rises with age
Of respondents over 60, 63% say they're at a point in life where they want to do these trips while they still can.
- 29%
Getting slower is a real thing, and it starts in the 50s
The share of respondents who feel they're getting slower and running is less fun more than doubles from their 40s (13%) to their 50s (29%), and stays there past 60.
- 35%
A third of past guests have already booked their next trip
35% of respondents who have traveled with us have a trip booked in the next 12 months, and another 44% are actively deciding.
- 57%
Short US trips are the most-wanted new format
57% of respondents want a long-weekend trip in the US (3–4 nights). It beat every other format we tested, including race combos and culinary trips.
- 75%
Scandinavia is calling
Three in four respondents picked at least one Nordic destination, and Norway topped the list. Norway will be our next new trip, launching in 2028.
Demographics
Who answered
Mostly women, mostly over 40, and mostly consistent runners rather than competitive ones. They race, but a half marathon is the usual choice, and very few have a coach.
Age
Weekly mileage
Daily running surface
Race distances they run
Share of all respondents. Pick all that apply.
21% have run an ultramarathon, at nearly the same rate for women and men. Only 9% don't race at all.
of respondents travel somewhere new at least once a year specifically to run, whether for a race or any other reason.
What runners think about
What drives a traveling runner
Why a running trip appeals
Pick all that apply
Which of these sound like you?
Pick all that apply
"While I still can" climbs with every decade
Share by age who say they want to do these trips while they still can, and who feel they're getting slower
Running is not their whole world
96% do at least one other sport. Pick all that apply.
They don't consume much running media
55% listen to no running podcasts, and 30% follow no pro runners
Top podcast: Nobody Asked Us with Des Linden & Kara Goucher (13%), then The Rich Roll Podcast (8%) and The Freetrail Podcast (6%).
Their running community
"Do you have a strong running community?"
41% belong to a run club. Only 7% run alone by preference.
Where they spend their money
Where they shop and what they wear
What's unique
Four findings that surprised us
Some of these run against what the running and travel industries tend to assume.
Men are the most concerned about a non-running partner
Among respondents who haven't traveled with us yet, 19% of men said the reason is a partner who doesn't run, nearly twice the share of women. Women were more likely to cite price (30% vs 21%).
If you're worried about pace, you're not alone
Pace anxiety is highest among runners who haven't traveled with us yet. Nearly half of those running 0–10 miles a week worry they'll be too slow, and it comes up at nearly every mileage. Almost nobody who has traveled with us says it.
The four most-wanted places
Norway (52%), then a three-way tie between Banff, Finland, and the Azores (45% each). Lofoten (44%), Scotland, and New Zealand (43% each) are close behind. The full top of the list is below.
For most, this is their first guided trip of any kind
Not Backroads, not REI Adventures, not G Adventures. Among people new to Rogue it's 76%, and 74% have never done a running trip with any company. (Share of those who answered.)
Past guests
Who comes on our trips
39% of respondents have traveled with Rogue Expeditions, and nearly half of those have done more than one trip. Three kinds of runners show up most.
The runner in her 40s
Most of our women guests are 41–60, and 43% are in their 40s. She runs 10–30 miles a week, races half marathons, lifts weights or does yoga between runs, and hikes. She often runs alone at home and wants the company of a group when she travels.
The runner over 50
Half of our men guests are over 50. He runs 10–30 miles a week, splits his racing between half marathons and marathons, and is more likely to ride a road bike (37%). He's the most likely to say he wants to do these trips while he still can, and the most likely to have a partner who doesn't run.
The repeat guest
Nearly half of past guests have been more than once. 35% already have their next trip booked, 44% are actively deciding, and 59% say they don't need any more information about how trips work. What they want most: a returning-guest discount and early access to new trips.
Men and women
Where men and women travelers differ
Women made up 72% of everyone who shared their gender. On most questions the two groups answer alike. These are the places they don't.
Men skew older (25% are over 60, vs 14% of women) and are more likely to want Colorado (37% vs 21%). Women are more likely to race 3–4 times a year (38% vs 25%); men are more likely to race 5 or more (36% vs 24%).
Destinations
Where they want to go
We listed 25 places and asked people to pick any they'd love to run. The average respondent picked nearly nine. These are the fourteen that came up most.
What new products they want
Pick all that apply
Self-guided or hut-to-hut?
"Are you interested in more self-guided or hut-to-hut experiences?"
Curiosity outweighs both yes and no. Past guests are the most committed to guided trips (42%).
In their words
What people told us
About a third of respondents left a note. A few that capture what we heard most. Shared anonymously.
"I will travel with you again because you have a great product but more importantly, even better people."
Repeat guest
"No one else I would travel with! My Rogue trips have been my greatest adventures!"
Repeat guest
"As the de facto trip planner in my family, it's wonderful to travel with Rogue where everything is already taken care of and I only have to show up."
Repeat guest
"I've been on several run vacations with different companies and Rogue Expeditions is the best by far! They really take care of you and provide awesome running trails."
Past guest
"Please keep the groups small. It's what I love about Rogue trips."
Repeat guest
"You guys are amazing! Love the experience, love the guides, love the drivers."
Past guest
"Thank you, thank you, for making the world such an accessible place."
Repeat guest
"I'm a solo traveler, so I'm attracted to the high percentage of other solo travelers."
First-timer
"I did your Bend trip and would love to do more quick domestic options!"
Past guest
"Loved my first trip, can't wait for my second!"
Past guest
Find the trip that fits you
Pace, season, region, and how far you like to run each day. Answer a few questions and we'll match you to a trip.
Take the trip quiz See all tripsAbout this survey
Fielded September 15–29, 2026 to the Rogue Expeditions email list and community. Respondents were 39% past guests (about half of them repeat guests) and 61% people who haven't traveled with us yet. Most questions allowed more than one answer, so percentages don't sum to 100. Gender and age were optional; comparisons between women and men use those who answered. This is a survey of our own community, not of all runners, and results reflect that audience.