Running, by the numbers

Data and running and charts about racing...
... these are a few of my favorite things!
(Sung as though this were The Sound of Music)

Key findings:

• Either we're racing more, or there are more of us: Road racing finishers increased by 170% between 1991 and 2011 at a time when the U.S. population grew by only 20%.
• Despite early sell-out (or maybe because of it?) the number of marathons in the U.S. more than doubled between 2000 and 2011.
• There were more than 50,000 ultra-marathon finishers in 2011, but that still pales in comparison to the more than 500,000 marathon finishers.

Thanks to the Running Moron for the link, and RunningShoes.com for the infographic.