The Running Event 2026
Event Date
December 1–3, 2026
Location
San Antonio, TX
Expected Exhibitors
357
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe Running Event (TRE) is the premier conference and trade show for run specialty retailers, bringing the running industry together for three days of business, education, and connection. The 2026 edition takes place December 1–3 at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The event is built for run, outdoor, and comfort shoe specialty retailers, event management professionals and race directors, brands, manufacturers, and suppliers. Attendees come to source new products, sharpen their retail skills, and build relationships across the industry. The show floor is where run specialty decision-makers come to discover, evaluate, and source new products.
Beyond the exhibit hall, TRE combines a full day of education, group runs, and networking events with the annual Industry Awards Dinner. It also hosts Switchback at TRE, a dedicated space for outdoor specialty retailers and brands. For anyone doing business in run specialty, it is widely regarded as the industry's flagship gathering of the year.
Show Highlights
Signature features across the three-day program include:
- Education Day (Dec 1) — the 2026 education program is built around the theme "Celebrating Run Specialty: Now and Tomorrow," delivering actionable content and interactive learning for run specialty professionals.
- River Walk Run and Opening Party — the River Walk Run at The Grotto and the Opening Party at The Grotto both take place on December 1.
- Training Camp Theater — presentations at the Training Camp Theater are held December 2–3 on the show floor.
- Indie 5K — the Indie 5K takes place at Hemisfair Park on Day 3.
- Switchback at TRE — now in its fifth year, Switchback at TRE is a space on the show floor for outdoor specialty retailers and brands to connect, discover, and learn.
- Industry Awards Dinner & Best Running Stores — the 2026 Best Running Stores are honored at the Industry Awards Dinner.
Attendance
According to the show's TRE 2025 figures: 357 exhibiting companies; 99,723 sq. ft. of exhibitors; 1,617 retailers, event management professionals, and industry professionals; and 4,756 total attendees. Noteworthy attendees have included the Boston Athletic Association, High Country Outfitters, Garage Grown Gear, Sun & Ski, Paragon Sports, Pacers Running, New York Road Runners, Fleet Feet, Brooklyn Running Company, and Super Jock n Jill.
Registration
Registration is handled online through the official TRE registration portal, and several pass types are offered:
- All Access — $421 (Early Bird): for run, outdoor, and comfort shoe specialty retailers, event management professionals/race directors, pedorthic footcare professionals, and TRE partner organizations; includes the full December 1 conference program, River Walk Run, Opening Party, exhibit hall on December 2–3, Training Camp Theater, and the Indie 5K.
- Trade Show Only — $99: for specialty retailers and event management professionals only; registrants' information is reviewed and accepted or rejected based on credentials within seven business days.
- Non-Exhibiting Company — $1,249: for brands, manufacturers, suppliers, and other companies who are not exhibiting but would still like to attend.
- Add-on — 2026 Industry Awards Dinner — $61: held Thursday, December 3.
Pricing calendar: Early Bird pricing runs August 4–September 24, 2026; Standard pricing September 25–November 30, 2026; and Onsite pricing December 1–3, 2026.
History
The Running Event is produced by Diversified Communications and, per the organizer, was founded more than 20 years ago—TRE 2026 is marked with a 20th-anniversary designation. The show has become the run specialty industry's flagship annual gathering, combining a large trade show floor with an education program, community runs, and the annual Best Running Stores awards, which recognize shops setting the standard for run specialty retail. In recent years the event has been held in Austin and now takes place in San Antonio, Texas.
Exhibitors
Exhibitor Information
Detailed exhibitor list is being compiled. Check back soon or visit the official show website for the most current information.
Last updated: August 9, 2026
Contact
Show Management
Independent Running Retailer Assn
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is The Running Event 2026?
The Running Event 2026 takes place December 1–3, 2026, at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Who should attend The Running Event?
TRE is designed for run, outdoor, and comfort shoe specialty retailers, event management professionals and race directors, pedorthic footcare professionals, and the brands, manufacturers, and suppliers that serve the running industry. It is the industry's main event for product discovery, education, and networking.
How much do passes cost and how do I register?
Registration is online via the official TRE portal. Early Bird rates include the All Access pass at $421, a Trade Show Only pass at $99 for qualifying retailers, and a Non-Exhibiting Company pass at $1,249; the Industry Awards Dinner is a $61 add-on. Early Bird pricing runs August 4–September 24, 2026, followed by Standard and Onsite pricing.
What are the show's highlights?
Highlights include a full Education Day on December 1 themed "Celebrating Run Specialty: Now and Tomorrow," the River Walk Run and Opening Party, Training Camp Theater sessions on the show floor, the Indie 5K, Switchback at TRE for outdoor specialty, and the Industry Awards Dinner honoring the Best Running Stores.
Where should I stay and how do I book a hotel?
TRE has secured discounted rates through onPeak, its only official hotel provider, at a selection of San Antonio hotels. The convention center sits in downtown near roughly 13,500 hotel rooms along the River Walk, so many properties are within walking distance; book early through onPeak for the best rates.
From the blog
Recent guides and industry insights for exhibitors and planners.
August 6, 2026Trade Show Lead Capture: What Actually Works
Why scan counts mislead, the three questions that qualify a visitor in thirty seconds, and the 48-hour follow-up window where trade show ROI is won or lost.
Read more
July 30, 2026Drayage Explained: The Trade Show Cost Nobody Warns You About
What material handling actually pays for, why it is billed per hundredweight, the surcharges that double estimates, and six decisions that genuinely reduce it.
Read more
July 23, 2026How to Choose the Right Trade Show for Your Business
Attendance numbers are close to useless on their own. Five questions that tell you whether a show will work, and how to build a portfolio instead of a list.
Read more
July 16, 2026The 12-Month Trade Show Planning Timeline
Every deadline that matters, counted backwards from show open — including the advance-order deadline that saves 20–40% and the 48-hour window that decides your ROI.
Read more
July 9, 2026Trade Show Booth Sizes Explained: 10x10 to Island
What each booth size actually gives you, the height and setback rules that catch first-timers, and how to size a booth from your staffing rather than your budget.
Read more
July 2, 2026What Does It Actually Cost to Exhibit at a Trade Show?
A line-by-line breakdown of the nine costs of exhibiting — including drayage and staff time, the two that blow up budgets and never appear in the quote.
Read more
June 10, 2026Top Trade Shows in Las Vegas in 2026
A guide to the biggest trade shows and exhibitor opportunities in Las Vegas through 2026 — dates, industries, exhibitor counts, and what each show is best for.
Read more- September 2, 2025tradeshows.fyi
Trade Shows Demystified: Your Ultimate Guide to Exhibiting, Attending, and Everything in Between
Introduction to Trade Shows Trade shows serve as significant events in various sectors, acting as a focal point
Read on tradeshows.fyi 
November 14, 2024tradeshows.fyi10 Essential Tips for Successfully Attending Trade Shows
10 Essential Tips for Attending Trade Shows Attending trade shows offers a unique platform to showcase products, network,
Read on tradeshows.fyi- November 13, 2024tradeshows.fyi
The Ultimate Trade Show Exhibitor Checklist: Planning, Preparation, and Execution
Trade Show Exhibiting Checklist Trade shows present a unique opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their products, network with
Read on tradeshows.fyi
Advertisement