The Running Event 2026 runs Dec 1-3 in San Antonio, Texas.
Dates
1–3 Dec 2026
City / country
San Antonio, United States
Venue
Henry B. González Convention Center
Event overview
The Running Event 2026 (TRE) takes place December 1-3 at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Now in its 20th edition, North America's premier run and outdoor specialty retail trade show brings retailers, brands, race organizers and media together for three days of education, product discovery and deal-making. The 2025 edition drew 357 exhibitors and more than 5,300 attendees, and the 2026 hall is tracking to be the largest yet.
TL;DR
TRE packs a full education day, two exhibit-hall days and structured networking into one trip. Retailers can compare footwear, apparel, gear and recovery products side by side, sit in on 40+ sessions, and meet the brand teams behind the products they will stock for the coming season.
The show puts brands in front of independent run and outdoor specialty buyers, race organizers and media in a single hall. The 2026 edition is the 20th anniversary and is tracking toward the largest exhibit hall in event history, with Switchback adding an outdoor specialty audience alongside the core run channel.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Halls & areas
3900 E Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
Entrances & gates
Market Street main entrance
Primary attendee entrance and badge collection.
Convention center garages serve the venue; expect event-day rates.
Step-free entrances and elevators serve all halls; contact the venue for mobility assistance.
Food options
River Walk restaurants, Convention center concessions
On-site diningParking: Use the convention center garages on E Market St and E Commerce St; arrive early on December 2 for the exhibit-hall opening.
Gate: Enter through the main Market Street lobby and follow TRE signage to badge pick-up.
Attend
Ticket info
Badge collection
Bring a photo ID and your registration confirmation to the Market Street lobby.
Ticket notes
Registration is required; early-bird pricing ended September 24, 2026, and no public ticket price is printed.
What's on
Melodie van der Baan
Max Retail
Smarter retail profitability
Jean Knaack
Road Runners Club of America
Risk management for community engagement
George Plomarity
KEEN Running
Trail running longevity
Switchback at The Running Event
Outdoor specialty section on the TRE show floor, returning for its fifth year in 2026.
Inside the TRE exhibit hall.
WebsiteBest Running Stores
TRE recognition for standout run specialty retailers, announced at the Industry Awards Dinner.
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2025
Visitors: 5,300
Exhibitors: 357
Floor area: 9,290 sqm
Edition #: 19
Visitor countries: 33
This edition
2026
Visitors: 5,500
Exhibitors: 310
Next edition
Not announced yet
Growth over time
New this edition
Impact
TRE's move to San Antonio produced its largest edition in 2025, with 357 brands, 5,300+ attendees and a hall near 100,000 sq ft. The 2026 anniversary edition is already above 310 confirmed brands, signalling sustained exhibitor demand despite a softer specialty retail climate.
Audience quality
The buyer mix is concentrated: independent run specialty owners and buyers, multi-store merchandisers, race organizers and outdoor crossover retailers. Attendance from all 50 states and 33 countries gives exhibitors a national base with a meaningful international tail, and the education day filters in owners and managers rather than casual consumers.
Exhibitor outcomes
TRE is a relationship and order-writing show rather than a mass-consumer event. Exhibitors should judge ROI on qualified buyer meetings, pre-booked appointments and post-show sample conversions. The 2025 floor's 10% growth and the 2026 waitlist momentum support rebooking, but no audited ROI figures are published.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
TRE concentrates the North American run specialty channel into three days. For brands, it is the clearest route to independent buyers who control assortment and in-store storytelling; for retailers, it is where footwear, apparel, recovery and outdoor crossover lines are compared before the buying season.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Running as lifestyle, not just sport
Run clubs, race crews and social running are widening the customer base beyond competitive runners. Retailers are merchandising community, apparel and everyday wear alongside performance footwear.
What it changes: Stores that build community programming and broader lifestyle assortments can capture new runners earlier and increase repeat visits.
Trail and outdoor crossover
Trail running and hiking continue to blur, and outdoor brands are moving into run specialty while run brands add trail models. Switchback exists to serve that crossover.
What it changes: Buyers can source trail and outdoor products in the same hall, reducing the number of shows on the calendar.
Margin pressure and retail profitability
Independent retailers face higher costs, tariff uncertainty and flat unit growth, so they are prioritizing differentiated products, staff training and inventory discipline.
What it changes: Brands need a clear margin story and sell-through support, not just a new SKU, to win shelf space.
TRE anchors the winter buying season, with Switchback Spring and the outdoor trade calendar giving buyers adjacent touchpoints.
Winter buying cycle
December is the core North American run specialty buying window.
Circuit dates from official TRE and Switchback pages; 2027 timing not yet published.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
San Antonio International Airport
Closest airport; direct flights from major US hubs.
8 mi / 13 km
to venue
15-20 min
by car
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Useful for Austin-based attendees; rent a car or take a shuttle.
80 mi / 129 km
to venue
75-90 min
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 120–170 / night
Walkable or a short rideshare to the convention center; book early for December weekends.
USD 180–260 / night
Best balance of walkability and rate; many include breakfast.
USD 300–480 / night
Luxury options; Hotel Emma is a short drive from the venue.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
VIA Metropolitan Transit bus
Cheap and frequent; exact fare or the VIA app.
Rideshare / taxi
Short hops; surge pricing around show opening and closing.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-1 business visitor | Visitors who are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program | $185.00 | Weeks to months; apply early | |
| ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | Eligible passport holders from VWP countries | $40.00 | Usually minutes to 72 hours |
No nationality is visa-free for business travel without either ESTA or a visa; check current US rules.
The US accepts ATA carnets for temporary exhibition goods; confirm with your freight forwarder and list all items.
Official visa pageWeather
Early December in San Antonio is mild and mostly dry: daytime highs near 18°C (64°F), nights around 6°C (42°F). A light jacket and an umbrella are sensible for River Walk evenings.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Downtown hotels and the convention center offer Wi-Fi; buy a US eSIM or local data plan for the show floor. Power outlets are limited, so bring a portable battery.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Breakfast tacos are a local ritual
Grab tacos and coffee before the hall opens; many downtown spots open early.
River Walk etiquette
The River Walk is a shared pedestrian and barge corridor; keep walkways clear during peak hours and book dinner ahead.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: SAT (San Antonio International)
Book 6-10 weeks out; Sunday arrival and Thursday departure price best.
Most European and many other visitors can use ESTA; others need a B-1 business visa. Confirm eligibility before booking.
Estimated cost: $40 ESTA / $185 B-1 visa
Processing: 72 hours for ESTA; weeks for a visa
Carry registration confirmation and a hotel booking for immigration.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: SAT to downtown is about 15-20 minutes by taxi or rideshare, roughly $25-35.
Hotel → venue: Most River Walk hotels are a 10-20 minute walk; rideshare is $8-15.
Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft operate at SAT and downtown; use the designated pickup zone.
Public transit: VIA bus routes serve downtown; $1.30 per ride or $4 day pass.
Parking: Convention center garages charge event rates; hotel parking is often $30-45 per night.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: December
Temperature: 6-18°C (42-64°F)
Seasonality: Mostly dry; occasional cool fronts and light rain.
Packing: Layers, a light jacket, comfortable walking shoes and an umbrella.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: December 2, 2026
The exhibit hall opens on December 2 after Education Day, so buyers get the full floor plus Training Camp Theater sessions and the show-floor happy hour. December 3 is better for close-out meetings and the awards dinner.
Book flights and hotel — Use SAT and a River Walk hotel; confirm cancellation terms.
Register and check visa/ESTA — Registration is required; ESTA at least 72 hours before travel.
Build a meeting list — Shortlist 10-15 brands and request appointments.
Download the show app and schedule — Mark education sessions and exhibit-hall blocks.
Pack and travel — Bring ID, confirmation, layers and comfortable shoes.
Registration and coffee
Market Street lobbySupplier meetings
Exhibit Hall 1Education session
BallroomShow-floor happy hour and follow-ups
Exhibit Hall 2The Alamo
Historic Site
10 min walk from the venue
Texas history and a quick break between sessions.
San Antonio River Walk
Urban Walk
At the venue's doorstep
Restaurants, bars and the classic San Antonio experience.
River Walk bars and restaurants
Evening networking
Book ahead for groups; most are walkable from downtown hotels.
Hotel lobbies
Informal meetings
Mokara and Drury Plaza lobbies are convenient for coffee meetings.
TRE is a compact three-day show, so follow-up speed matters more than volume. Teams that send tailored recaps within 48 hours convert the hall conversations into appointments before the holiday break.
Budget
Shell scheme
USD 90–140 / m²
Raw space
USD 40–70 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
No printed tariff was fetched; confirm 2026 rates with TRE sales.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
booth
exhibitor · standard
USD 810–1260 / 9 sqm shell
hotel
both · mid
USD 180–260 / per night
per_diem
both · standard
USD 50–80 / per day
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| booth | exhibitor | standard | USD 810–1260 / 9 sqm shell | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| hotel | both | mid | USD 180–260 / per night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| per_diem | both | standard | USD 50–80 / per day | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Answer six quick questions to see whether TRE 2026 is best for a visit, an exhibit or a skip.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary goal?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You buy or specify run specialty products for the 2027 season.
Best for
Retailers, buyers and race organizers sourcing run products
Min. budget
$1,200.00
Timeline
6-10 weeks
Risks
Crowded calendar
Travel cost
exhibit
You have a product launch and a team to staff the stand.
Best for
Running, apparel, gear and outdoor brands seeking wholesale buyers
Min. budget
$8,000.00
Timeline
3-6 months
Risks
Booth cost
Lead quality varies
skip
Your products do not sell through run specialty or outdoor retail.
Best for
Unrelated categories or teams with no travel budget
Timeline
None
Risks
Missing relationship-building
Book with
Henry B. González Convention Center
City-owned convention center on the River Walk and the 2026 host venue.
Venue named by the organiser.
Visit San Antonio
San Antonio's official destination and convention marketing organisation.
Public tourism body; not named as a show partner.
Running Industry Association
US trade association for run specialty retailers and brands.
Industry body; relationship not confirmed on fetched pages.
Outdoor Industry Association
US outdoor industry association supporting the Switchback crossover.
Public association; not named as a 2026 partner.
Recommended providers
Official visa and ESTA guidance.
River Walk and downtown inventory fills early in December.
Compare SAT fares and book refundable options.
Quote door-to-show-floor freight 4-6 weeks out.
Travel and exhibitor liability cover.
Book Alamo and River Walk tours around show hours.
Badge scanning and CRM export.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
4 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
7
References
2
Publishers
7
Date checked
The Running Event
Trade Show Executive
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
