Running Sucks

Running Sucks

Share this post

Running Sucks
Running Sucks
A run club leader, a journalist, and a brand rep walk into a running store...
The Weakly

A run club leader, a journalist, and a brand rep walk into a running store...

What happened next was a debate on consumerism, and how brands, stores, and crews fit together.

Raziq Rauf's avatar
Raziq Rauf
Jun 30, 2025
∙ Paid
21

Share this post

Running Sucks
Running Sucks
A run club leader, a journalist, and a brand rep walk into a running store...
11
1
Share

I just returned home from 48 blistering hours in Northern California, where I first hosted a panel on Consumerism in Running in San Francisco, and then drove a few miles east to watch the frontrunners of the Western States Endurance Race at the 100km mark, and back again. What a weekend, jam-packed with fantastic people.

Consumerism in Running

On Friday evening, I was joined by some great minds at Running Wylder in San Francisco, and oh wow did we have some hot opinions and crucial insights.

  • Armando Torres, co-founder of Nth Degree Athletic Club

  • Abel Rodriguez, co-captain of Corremos Sacramento

  • Rosie Cruz, On representative, working with crews and stores across NorCal

  • Katie Douglas of Running Wylder in her beautiful store

The audience at Running Wylder for Consumerism in Running

Why do runners need to talk and think about consumerism?

  • There is an estimated 25 million more runners in 2025 than in 2020

  • 75% of runners earn 50% over the median salary (please speculate why in a comment!)

  • Brands are g…

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Running Sucks to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Raziq Rauf
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share