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

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