Relationship between attributes and motivation of trail runners and environmental awareness

Abstract

The purpose of this research paper is to identify the nature of the relationship between a trail runner's environmental awareness on the one hand and his or her individual attributes and motivations on the other hand. For this paper, participants at two trail running races held in 2017 (n=675) were surveyed regarding (i) their individual attributes, (ii) environmental awareness and (iii) motivations. Applying cluster analysis, four main clusters of trail runner were identified, indicating two main categories: (1) one group with a personal interest in, or connection to, the area in which the race was held and demonstrating higher awareness of issues relating to conservation and revitalisation of the natural environment and (2) another more race-oriented group characterized by strong competitiveness attributes and with relatively lower environmental awareness. Applying multiple linear regression analysis to the dataset reveals that a trail runner's motivations have a stronger influence on environmental awareness than his or her individual attributes. Further, the data shows a positive correlation between competitiveness as a primary motivating factor and lower levels of environmental awareness in ordinary life.