From December 2–4, North America’s premier specialty retail trade show and conference for the running and outdoor industries made its highly anticipated debut in its new host city of San Antonio, Texas. The Running Event (TRE) 2025 didn’t just meet expectations—it completely redefined what an industry gathering can accomplish.
As the team at Marathon Journal—recently rebranded and formerly operating as Marathon Media—we were on the ground for all three packed days to bring our readers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the future of running gear, footwear, and culture.
More Than a Trade Show: High Energy in Alamo City
Stepping into the Henry B. González Convention Center, the energy was immediate and contagious. The sheer scale of the gathering set a new high-water mark for the industry. Featuring its largest show floor in history, TRE 2025 hosted 357 exhibiting brands across nearly 100,000 square feet, drawing more than 5,300 attendees from all 50 states and 33 countries. Beyond the sheer size of the trade show floor, the event delivered an estimated economic impact of over $5.7 million to the local San Antonio community, supporting more than 1,200 jobs across hospitality, transit, and retail sectors.
For anyone in the run specialty space, TRE is the absolute heartbeat of the industry—a place where real business happens, radical product innovations are unveiled, and lasting partnerships are forged. Walking through the aisles, you could feel a shared optimism and forward momentum that set the tone for the entire week.
Behind the Scenes: 20 Media Appointments & Exclusive Brand Insights
Our primary mission at TRE was to go straight to the source and get the story behind the products. Under our newly updated banner, the Marathon Journal team conducted 20 back-to-back scheduled media appointments with both major legacy powerhouses and emerging, disruptive niche brands.
Going behind the closed doors of brand booths allowed us to get hands-on with upcoming footwear models, test prototype apparel textiles, evaluate next-gen sports nutrition formulations, and preview tech innovations scheduled to hit retail shelves in late 2026 and beyond. We spent hours chatting directly with footwear designers, brand founders, and product managers who gave us granular breakdowns of everything coming down the pipeline. From deep dives into midsole foam chemistry and supercritical TPU plates to dynamic sustainability initiatives in recycled apparel, our notebooks were full by the end of day one.
Community, Connection, and Endless Shakeout Runs
While product discovery is vital, what sets TRE apart from every other trade show is its vibrant, runner-first culture. You don’t just talk about running at TRE—you run. The conference manages to bridge the gap between B2B deal-making and pure, authentic passion for the sport.
Every morning and evening, the streets, river paths, and parks of San Antonio came alive with community shakeout runs, brand-sponsored workouts, and networking meetups:
- River Walk Run + Cleanup: We kicked off the week mixing movement with purpose, combining a scenic morning jog along the iconic San Antonio River Walk with a local green space cleanup effort to give back to our host city.
- The Indie 5K: Hundreds of runners gathered for the signature chip-timed race, where retail teams, media, and brand reps put their morning miles to the test on a fast course (huge congratulations to Running Lab from Michigan for taking home Store of the Year at the annual Industry Awards Dinner!).
- Training Camp & Switchback: Between runs and meetings, we attended panels across the 40+ educational sessions. This included packed panels at the dedicated Switchback at TRE outdoor zone, which brought 60 specialty outdoor brands together to tackle critical conversations around trail preservation, public lands, and sustainable supply chains.
Final Thoughts: A Stellar New Chapter in San Antonio
The transition to San Antonio was a resounding victory for the running industry. The event balanced high-stakes commercial momentum with authentic community connection in a way only TRE can achieve. Moving to a new host city can often bring growing pains, but the seamless execution, world-class facilities, and warm Texas hospitality made this inaugural San Antonio edition an unforgettable landmark event.
As we pack up our gear and head back to the office, one thing is abundantly clear: the running industry is healthier, more innovative, and more collaborative than ever. We’re already counting down the days until we return to San Antonio for TRE 2026!
Keep an eye out from now on for upcoming gear reviews, product breakdowns, and in-depth brand interviews straight from our 20 media appointments on the show floor!
