2021 journal article
RECREATION SPECIALIZATION FOR RUNNERS AND EVENT ATTACHMENT
EVENT MANAGEMENT, 25(4), 347–361.
author keywords: Recreation specialization; Event attachment; Runners
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
(Web of Science)
Source: Web Of Science
Added: August 23, 2021
Running is one of the most popular activities in the world. Runners' attitudes and behaviors vary depending on their running style. This study aims to construct different measures of running specialization based on the theory of specialization. This study also tests a runner's stage of specialization segmentation based on recreation specialization and examines the predictive relationship between a runner's specialization and event attachment. Three groups of sampling data assess the performance of diverse specialization measures for running in three marathon events. First, two surveys were conducted with marathon participants to assess the performance of diverse specialization measures for runners. Second, the third dataset was used to examine the relationship between a runner's recreation specialization and event attachment.<br/> The study results showed that the 15 measures of specialization showed a good fit to the data. Our research showed how runners' recreation specialization is connected to their event attachment. In addition, this study suggested event management for subdivisions of runners. Its practical implication is that recreation specialization for running can help us understand event attachment.