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The running boom is in full swing. Races are growing globally at a rate of approximately 20 per cent per year. During the growth spurt, new races will be created. Garmin Ltd is the latest to do so.
According to RunRepeat, 28.76 per cent of current runners started running during the pandemic. Motives for running are changing as, apparently, physical health is the primary motivation for 72 per cent of new runners. Up 18.03 per cent began running before the pandemic.
Garmin is launching a race series named the Garmin Marathon Series. It will debut in Toledo, Ohio and Tucson, Arizona, this autumn.
Garmin selected the two cities for their local and cultural highlights around the courses and favourable weather conditions. More locations are planned for 2026.
Initial Garmin Marathon Series locations and dates are as follows:
Toledo, OH – Sunday, September 21, 2025
Tucson, AZ – Saturday, November 15, 2025
Both races employ World Athletics-qualified marathon routes of 42.195 kilometres (26 miles, 385 yards). For Boston Marathon fans, this means runners may qualify during these races. There will also be certified half-marathon, 10K, and 5K races. Taking advantage of the aforementioned running boom, a two-day expo showcasing Garmin products and technology will lead up to race day.
Maps and course details will be released soon.
Garmin is based out of Olathe, Kansas, but is a registered corporation of Switzerland. The company employs 22,000. The vice president of consumer sales and marketing, Susan Lyman, said, “This is an opportunity to go above and beyond conventional sponsorships and create something truly special in our running communities. For decades, Garmin has been with runners through every step of their training, and now we are excited to be with them in an even more meaningful way on race day.”
In December 2021, Garmin began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol NYSE: GRMN. Previously, the company had traded on the NASDAQ exchange.
The company is also involved in the aviation and marine industries.
