This Wednesday, June 5 is National Running Day. Every year on the first Wednesday in June, we runners have our own special day to celebrate our passion for running and to embrace and recognize our fellow runners of all speeds, distances and abilities.

As I started thinking about National Running Day, I thought I’d dig deeper into who our running community really is. We are so diverse and wide-reaching. Who is a part of this fraternity we call running?

Every 2 years, Running USA does a national runner survey to look at the demographics, lifestyle, attitudes, habits and product choices of runners in the United States. After hearing from more than 30,000 people, they released their 2013 results at the end of April.

Although I’m sharing data on what a survey says about who “core runners” are in the U.S., every person who gets out there and puts one foot in front of the other is a runner. Whether you fit somewhere into the below data or not, you are still a runner. Never forget that.

Now, let’s see how our community stacks up. I’ve noted in red where I fall in these statistics …

Today’s core runners according to Running USA are …

• Highly educated: 75.8% have a college degree (rUnladylike: Check!)
• Affluent: 73.3% have a household income of more than $75,000 (rUnladylike: Check!)
• Training year-round (respondents report running / jogging an average of 208 days and logging nearly 1,165 miles per year) (rUnladylike: I train year-round but don’t always hit that high of running mileage, especially with triathlon training and spreading my time across different sports.)
• Motivated to run to 1) stay in shape (77.3%), 2) stay healthy (76.1%), 3) relieve stress (61.9%) and 4) have fun (61.7%). (rUnladylike: Check!)
• Likely to run alone, early in the morning on a paved path or road (rUnladylike: No. I prefer to run with a group or another person. I tend to run most often after work, although I do all my long runs in the morning. I do run mostly on paved roads and paths, although I do enjoy a trail run every now and then.)
• Technology savvy (use smartphones for GPS, music, running apps, race results, etc.) (rUnladylike: Check!)
• Most likely to participate in a 5K or half marathon (rUnladylike: I am most likely to participate in a half marathon. I haven’t participated in a 5K since 2009 … eek!)
• Purchasing 3 pairs of running shoes a year and are more likely to purchase ASICS or Brooks (rUnladylike: Check!)
• Likely to frequent McDonald’s and enjoy In-N-Out Burger, The Cheesecake Factory and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream (rUnladylike: No. I can count the times I’ve been to McDonald’s during the past 2 years on one hand. Remember the last time I was there? It was after this race. I’ve never been to In-N-Out Burger or The Cheesecake Factory I don’t think.)

Who is the typical female runner according to Running USA?

• Average age: 39 (rUnladylike: I’m younger)
• Average number of years running: 9.6 (rUnladylike: I’ve been running my entire life, although I’ve only been running endurance races since 2009.)
• Average number of running events participated in during the last 12 months: 7 (rUnladylike: I typically participate in fewer than 7 races, although this year I will hit that number. Here are my races for 2013.)
• Nearly half have completed 1 marathon or more in their lifetime (rUnladylike: Check! I’ve run 5 marathons.)
• Average number of days run per week: 3.9 (rUnladylike: Check! I typically run 3-4 days per week.)
• Average number of miles run per week: 20.2 (rUnladylike: Check! I’m pretty close to this when I’m not training for the marathon distance.)
• Favorite race distance: half marathon (rUnladylike: Check!)
• Average weight: 140.2 lbs (rUnladylike: I weigh less than this.)
• Average height: 5 feet, 5 inches (rUnladylike: I’m shorter than this at 5 feet, 3 inches.)
• Average Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.3 (rUnladylike: Mine is a bit lower at 21)
• 39% are content with their weight (rUnladylike: I am always looking to be thinner. I know, I know.)
• 41% are content with their fitness level (rUnladylike: For the most part, this is true. I’d love to be faster, but overall I’m pretty happy.)

Who is the typical male runner?

• Average age: 43
• Average number of years running: 13.6
• Average number of running events participated in during the last 12 months: 8
• Two-thirds have completed 1 marathon or more in their lifetime
• Average number of days run per week: 4.1
• Average number of miles run per week: 25.5
• Favorite race distance: half marathon
• Average weight: 174.4 lbs
• Average height: 70.42 inches / 5 feet, 10.4 inches
• Average Body Mass Index (BMI): 24.7
• 43.1% are content with their weight
• 42.5% are content with their fitness level

Here are some other fun running trends for 2013 from my friends at Brooks Running …

Do you share many of these facts and statistics when it comes to running? What resonates most with you? What facts are least like you? How will you be celebrating National Running Day this week (June 5, 2013)?