As The Running Event kicks off its final (for now) year in Austin, TX, we want to share a preview of the event’s future home — right down the road in San Antonio.
During the first week of October, The Running Event (TRE) team headed down to San Antonio, joined by representatives from run specialty brands, retailers, media and organizations. Our team used the visit to explore San Antonio — and to show why the Alamo City was selected as host for TRE and Switchback at TRE 2025.
Over the last few months, many people have asked us, “Why San Antonio?” It’s a great question — and one we’re excited to answer.
From the moment our search for TRE’s new home began, San Antonio welcomed the event with open arms. They’re excited to host us, proud to host us and we know everyone will feel that support and energy the moment they arrive at TRE 2025. The city is big enough to hold the event, but small enough for our community to “take over” during TRE.
It’s walkable, it’s runnable — the weather will be perfect in late fall, the food is delicious and the community is vibrant. It’s centrally located, the airport is a quick ride into downtown and the hotels are convenient and comfortable. San Antonio gives us room to grow and opportunity to innovate.
So, let’s dive in.
TRE 2025 will take place at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, located right on the riverwalk in downtown San Antonio. Entering the building, you’re greeted by a large, modern lobby area that will lead attendees to event registration and then directly into the exhibit hall. Speaking of the hall, the 2025 event has plenty of room to grow, with three halls spanning more than 365,000-square feet available for exhibiting brands.
The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center offers space and improved logistics for everything from educational sessions to special events and gatherings. Conference sessions, the Welcome Reception, Industry Awards Dinner and brand meeting rooms will all be located within the Convention Center.
One sneak peek we’ll give away now: The Welcome Reception will take place in an area called The Grotto — an outdoor venue outside of the Convention Center that sits right on the San Antonio River.
When it comes to hotels, there are plenty of options, including the Marriot River Center, Grand Hyatt and the Hilton Palacio del Rio. While everyone has come to know the Hilton Austin as being the “place to stay” at TRE, San Antonio offers multiple hotels for attendees and exhibitors — all of which are within steps of the Convention Center.
As far as the city itself goes – the seventh largest city in the U.S., in fact – San Antonio is vibrant, welcoming and unique, with Hispanic heritage at the core of everything it offers. I recommend learning more about the history of San Antonio, as it’s foundational to the city’s inherent pride and individuality.
Most are familiar with the city’s Riverwalk, Paseo del Rio – a 15-mile stretch of pathway running along the river, lined with shops, restaurants, bars and much more. Each TRE hotel sits on the Riverwalk, as does the Convention Center, making it easy to grab food, a drink and, of course, go for a run.
You’ll definitely want to swing by the Alamo: a UNESCO World Heritage Site and once a Spanish mission, this San Antonio landmark was the site of a pivotal battle during the Texas Revolution. The city also offers an abundance of arts and culture, outdoor activities, tours and more.
While our team was visiting, we ate at Bombay Bicycle Club, Casa Rio, Dough Pizzeria and grabbed some drinks on the rooftop bar 1Watson.
Fun San Antonio food fact: the city is home to one of five Culinary Institute of America campuses in the world. In fact, UNESCO designated San Antonio a Creative City of Gastronomy in 2017, marking the city as an international culinary destination.
One unique-to-San Antonio activity is taking a boat ride on the river. It’s perhaps the best way to see the city – there are guided tours available as well – and it’s a fun option for a small team gathering. You can even enjoy a dinner or happy hour during the ride!
And as far as running goes, rest assured there are plenty of routes to run throughout San Antonio. Of course, the Riverwalk makes for a great run with beautiful city views, but there’s even more to see. Greatruns.com has many suggestions and our team will be sure to share routes ahead of TRE 2025.
San Antonio has certainly welcomed TRE with open arms.
“At first, we thought the search for a new home would be really difficult,” says Christina Henderson, TRE event director. “And while moving to a new city takes a lot of planning and work, the decision ended up being an easy one.
“We’re so excited to bring The Running Event to life in San Antonio and I can’t wait for TRE’s community to experience this city and everything it has to offer,” she adds.
And finally, we can’t write a piece about San Antonio without mentioning Austin — the city that has been home to TRE over the last many years. While we are sad to be leaving as the Austin Convention Center undergoes a major renovation for the next few years, we remain grateful for the Austin community and everything it has given not only to TRE, but to the running industry as a whole.
During TRE’s first year in Austin, there were less than 30 exhibitors. In 2023, we welcomed 314 exhibiting brands and more than 4050 total industry members — and the 2024 event promises even more growth. Austin has shaped The Running Event and we’re proud to call the city home one more time.
