Running "has become the new golf" in Spain with "2.5 million runners" in the country, according to Carlos Galindo of SPORT. The country now has 3,000 races and the "average running expenditure" on equipment is €750 ($1,032). Sales for running shoes "have also increased, with men accounting for 62.7% of shoe purchases, women buying 22.8% and children buying the remaining 14.5%." Nike is Spain's leader, with a 31.79% market share of shoes sold, and is followed by Asics (24.12%), adidas (16.31%), Mizuno (6.49%) and other brands accounting for 21.31%. The sport's rising popularity "has included travel agencies specializing in organizing travel packages to and from major marathons." For some marathons, "registration alone" can cost €600 ($825) or more. The "business of running has made one more thing evident: each runner persuades, on average, two other people to join them in the sport." On Oct. 25, 2012, registration for the 40th annual Berlin Marathon -- which took place Sept. 29 -- opened, "with 40,000 registration spots being exhausted in less than three hours" (SPORT, 2/18).
