Episode 628: Christina Henderson – Event Director at The Running Event

I loved getting the chance to sit down with Christina Henderson, the event director for The Running Event (TRE). If you’ve been paying attention to the run specialty world over the last few years, you’ve probably noticed how much buzz TRE has been getting, and Christina has been a huge part of that growth. TRE is North America’s premier conference and trade show for run and outdoor specialty retail. It’s a B2B event where retailers connect with brands, learn about new products, and have bigger conversations about the future of our industry. Christina has helped transform TRE into more than just a trade show – it’s become a community hub for meaningful conversations around business, culture, and shared values. Christina is also an incredible runner herself, with a marathon PR of 2:56. We talked about the generational shifts happening in the running retail space, the challenges the industry is facing, and how TRE continues to evolve to meet the moment. I left this conversation so inspired by Christina’s passion for this community and her vision for the future of our sport. I think you’ll really enjoy hearing her perspective and getting to know her better! Topics Covered: Christina’s journey to becoming event director at TRE How she got her start in event planning and running-focused roles The evolution and growth of The Running Event over the past decade TRE’s role as more than just a trade show and its impact on the running industry Building community and supporting run specialty stores Emerging trends in run specialty retail and consumer behavior Success stories of brands like Hoka and Vuori that started small at TRE The importance of run clubs and community engagement for retailers The decision to move TRE from Austin to San Antonio Christina’s personal running background and love for the New York City Marathon Recommended books: Untamed by Glennon Doyle City of Thieves by David Benioff Support our Sponsors: Tailwind Nutrition Use code “Another20” at checkout BitchStick Go to Bitchstick.com and use the code “Lindsey” for 20% off your order Check out Lindsey Hein’s training plans! Geist Half Race Series Go to geisthalf.com and use the code “Another10” for $10 off any race distances.