Endurance Sport Survey
The Official Participation Survey and Report from TIA and RIA. 

Powered by Members. Trusted by the Industry.

Understanding participation. Supporting growth. Shaping the future of endurance sport.

Endurance Sport Survey is an exclusive member initiative delivered by Triathlon Industry Alliance (TIA) and Running Industry Alliance (RIA), designed to build a deeper understanding of endurance sport participation across the UK and Ireland.

The survey explores participant behaviours, motivations, demographics, experiences and trends across the endurance sector, helping organisations better understand the communities they serve and supporting the continued growth of endurance sport.

By bringing together insight from across the endurance community, the Endurance Sport Survey provides a trusted view of participation, helping the industry better understand current behaviours and identify opportunities.

Participation is open exclusively to TIA and RIA Members and is included as part of existing membership.

There is:

✅ No additional cost to participate.
✅ No requirement to provide access to member databases.
✅ No plans to increase membership fees for existing members as a result of involvement.

Participating organisations contribute by sharing an exclusive survey link with their own audiences e.g to athletes, subscribers, participants etc.

Together, TIA and RIA Members are helping create the most representative understanding possible of endurance sport participation across the UK and Ireland.

Why Get Involved?

A Member-Powered Research Initiative

The Endurance Sport Survey is designed around collaboration.

TIA and RIA Members play a vital role by helping connect the research with the communities they serve.

Participating organisations receive an exclusive survey link which they can share directly with their own audiences.

This may include:

• Participants

• Customers

• Members

• Email subscribers

• Event communities

• Social media audiences

Organisations remain in control of their own audiences and communications. TIA and RIA do not require access to member databases.

By working together, members help create the most representative understanding possible of endurance sport participation across the UK and Ireland.

The completed Endurance Sport Survey insight report will be an exclusive member benefit, available only to TIA and RIA Members.

Our Value Back Commitment

Those who help create the insight should receive more value from it.

The Endurance Sport Survey is built on collaboration. Those organisations that actively contribute by helping distribute the survey to their communities will receive additional value through our TIA x RIA Value Back approach.

Our commitment is simple:

Those who help create the insight should receive more value from the insight created.

The Value Back approach includes:

• Enhanced insight through bespoke analysis, benchmarked against all survey responses

• Contributor-only updates and briefings

• Recognition as an organisation helping shape industry understanding

• Opportunities to influence future survey development

• Priority access to future research initiatives

Trust, Transparency & Independent Research

Trust is fundamental to everything we do.

The Endurance Sport Survey is delivered with the support of MultiSport Research, an independent research specialist with expertise in understanding participation across endurance and active lifestyle communities.

TIA and RIA commission and fund MultiSport Research to provide the research service, including:

• Survey development

• Data collection

• Analysis

• Reporting

This ensures the survey is professionally managed, independently analysed and delivered to a high standard as part of the TIA x RIA member benefit.

Participant responses are handled securely and used solely for understanding endurance sport participation trends.

Individual responses will never be:

• Published

• Shared publicly

• Used to identify individual participants

• Provided to participating organisations

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should our organisation get involved?

The Endurance Sport Survey is only possible because organisations across the endurance sector choose to collaborate. By sharing the survey with your community, you are helping create a clearer picture of:

• Who participates in endurance sport

• Why people participate

• What motivates participation

• What barriers exist

• How the sector can continue to grow

Your organisation will also be recognised as a contributor to this important industry initiative and receive additional value through the TIA x RIA Value Back approach.

Who can participate?

Participation is open to organisations that are members of Running Industry Alliance (RIA) or Triathlon Industry Alliance (TIA). Members across the endurance ecosystem are encouraged to participate, including:

• Event organisers

• Brands

• Retailers

• Technology platforms

• Governing bodies

• Clubs and communities

• Charities

• Participation programmes

• Membership organisations

Is there a cost to participate?

No. The Endurance Sport Survey is included as part of existing TIA and RIA Membership. There is no additional cost to participate and there are no plans to increase membership fees for existing members as a result of involvement.

How does our organisation participate?

Participating organisations receive an exclusive Endurance Sport Survey link which they can share directly with their own audience. Distribution can include:

• Email communications

• Participant updates

• Customer newsletters

• Membership communications

• Event communications

• Social channels

The more organisations that participate, the stronger and more representative the findings become.

Do we need to provide access to our customer or participant database?

No. TIA and RIA do not require access to any member organisation databases. Each participating organisation simply shares the Endurance Sport Survey link directly with its own audience using its normal communication channels. This ensures organisations remain in control of their own customer and participant relationships while helping contribute to a stronger understanding of the endurance community.

How should we share the survey?

The strongest results will come from a dedicated solus communication rather than including the survey within a wider newsletter or multiple announcements. A focused email or communication from your organisation helps increase:

• Engagement

• Response rates

• Quality of insight

TIA and RIA will provide supporting copy and guidance to help make distribution as simple as possible.

Is there an incentive for survey participants?

Yes. To encourage completion and maximise participation, respondents will have the opportunity to enter a prize draw. The prize fund will be announced as part of the survey launch.

What questions will be asked?

Participating organisations will receive access to the official Endurance Sport Survey questions through an exclusive survey link. Questions will explore areas including:

• Participation behaviours

• Activity preferences

• Motivations

• Demographics

• Experiences

• Barriers and opportunities

Are participant responses anonymous?

Yes. Individual responses remain confidential. Findings will only be reported in an aggregated format to provide insight into wider participation trends.

Who manages the survey?

The Endurance Sport Survey is delivered in partnership with MultiSport Research. MultiSport Research supports survey development, data collection, analysis and reporting. RIA and TIA commission and fund this research service as part of the member benefit. RIA and TIA do not access individual participant responses.

Will survey participant information be shared?

No. Individual participant responses will not be shared publicly or provided to participating organisations. The survey is designed to understand wider trends across the sector rather than identify individuals.

Will supporting organisations see responses from their own audience?

Yes, as part of the Value Back a confidential data sheet will be shared. This will be unique to each organisation sharing the Endurance Sport Survey with its audience. The data sheet will show unique summary responses for each organisation.

Individual responses remain confidential and won’t be shared due to GDPR.

The purpose of the survey is to create industry insight. We’ll never share individual participant answers, as these remain confidential.

Will our organisation be recognised?

Yes. All participating TIA and RIA Member organisations will receive recognition through organisation logo display, contributor acknowledgement and a link to their RIA or TIA Member profile (or nominated website).

Endurance Sport Survey Timeline

Monday 9 November 2026 > Survey Launch

Participating organisations receive their exclusive survey link and supporting communication assets. The survey will remain open for approximately six weeks.

We recognise this period includes Black Friday (Friday 27 November 2026) and Cyber Monday (30th November 2026). Participating organisations are encouraged to plan communications carefully to maximise participation during this busy period.

Monday 4 January 2027 > Survey Closes

Responses move into the analysis phase.

Q1 2027 > Endurance Sport Survey 2026 / 2027 Report Released

Expected release: Late January / Early February 2027.

Sharing the Findings

Initial findings discussions will take place at:

Triathlon Industry Conference 2026 (TIC26)

A dedicated panel discussion exploring findings through a triathlon and multisport lens.

The Running Conference 2026 (TRC26)

A dedicated panel discussion exploring findings through a running industry lens.

Sessions will explore:

• Initial findings

• Participation trends

• Comparisons with previous insight

• Opportunities for growth

• Future priorities

These discussions will also help shape the future development of the Endurance Sport Survey.

Looking Ahead: Endurance Sport Survey 2027

The Endurance Sport Survey will continue to evolve based on member feedback and the changing needs of the endurance sector.

Following Advisory Board input (TIA x RIA), member webinar 29th July 2026, dedicated mailer to wider membership update 31st July 2026 and final consultation session on 5th August 2026, feedback will help shape the development of the Endurance Sport Survey 2027, including the review and refinement of future survey questions and areas of focus.

Future editions will explore deeper insight including:

Generational & Gender Analysis

Understanding different generations of participants, changing motivations, gender participation trends and opportunities to improve accessibility and engagement.

Participation Journey & Community

Exploring participation with others, social motivations, clubs and communities and shared experiences.

Participant Purchasing Behaviour

Understanding investment across gear, events, coaching, technology, subscriptions and media and content.

Sports Technology

Exploring wearables, apps, digital platforms, training technology and technology supporting participation.

Charity & Social Impact

Exploring charity participation, fundraising motivations, social impact and the role endurance sport plays in supporting communities.

Join Endurance Sport Survey 2027

The updated survey approach will be shared with TIA and RIA Members, inviting organisations to confirm their participation in the 2027 edition.

We will follow up directly with:

• Organisations that participated in the Endurance Sport Survey 2026

• Members who expressed interest in taking part

• Organisations looking to contribute to future industry insight

Members will have the opportunity to:

✅ Confirm participation for 2027
✅ Share feedback on future research areas
✅ Help shape questions and insight priorities
✅ Continue contributing to a stronger understanding of endurance sport participation

Interested in taking part?

If your organisation would like to be involved in the Endurance Sport Survey 2027, we would love to hear from you: please email data@runningindustryalliance.com

Together, RIA and TIA Members can continue building trusted insight that supports the future growth of endurance sport.

Powered by Members. Trusted by the Industry.

Every organisation that participates helps build a clearer picture of endurance sport and contributes to a stronger future for the sector. Through collaboration, shared insight and the TIA x RIA Value Back approach, members are helping shape the future of endurance sport.

The Endurance Sport Survey > powered by TIA and RIA Members, for the benefit of the entire endurance community.