Road Runners Club of America Announces Expanded Group Music License Service with ASCAP, BMI, GMR, and Alltrack

October 28, 2025

The RRCA offers a comprehensive group music license service through four performing rights organizations—ASCAP, BMI, GMR, and AllTrack—to simplify compliance for running events.

Falls Church, VA (October 28, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) is pleased to announce the expansion of its Group Music License Service to include AllTrack, joining ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.), and GMR (Global Music Rights).

With this addition, RRCA member clubs, events, and event management companies can now secure music performance licenses from all four major U.S. performing rights organizations (PROs) through a single, streamlined transaction with the RRCA. This ensures comprehensive compliance for public music use at running events.

The RRCA’s group music license program operates similarly to its group liability insurance program—offering clearly defined fees based on participant numbers for all events an RRCA member owns or promotes during the calendar year. Each performing rights organization (PRO) sets its own licensing rates, which are reviewed annually. For 2026, Global Music Rights (GMR) will implement a 10% rate increase, while ASCAP, BMI, and AllTrack will each apply a 3–5% increase. The RRCA works closely with all four PROs to ensure transparency and consistent communication of rate adjustments to members, simplifying what can otherwise be a complex and costly process for event organizers. The RRCA does not retain any portion of the PRO licensing fees collected; however, membership dues help cover administrative costs associated with managing and maintaining this valuable group service for members.

Why Four PROs Now Collect for Music Licensing
In the United States, songwriters and composers register their musical works with one of several PROs—organizations that collect and distribute royalties when music is played publicly. For many years, ASCAP and BMI represented the majority of songwriters. However, in 2013, Global Music Rights (GMR) entered the market, followed by AllTrack in 2019.

Each PRO represents a distinct catalog of artists, meaning that a license with one does not authorize the use of music controlled by the others. Today, to ensure full compliance and legal use of music across all catalogs, event organizers must obtain licenses from all four PROs.

GMR represents artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Bruno Mars, Eddie Vedder, and Pharrell Williams, while ASCAP, BMI, and AllTrack collectively include tens of thousands of other songwriters and composers across every musical genre.

“When an event organizer plays recorded or live music at a running event, that’s considered a public performance,” explained Jean Knaack, RRCA Executive Director. “By partnering with ASCAP, BMI, GMR, and now AllTrack, the RRCA provides a true one-stop solution that makes it easy for members to meet their legal obligations and support the artists who create the music we all enjoy.”

While participation in the RRCA Group Music License Service is optional, the RRCA encourages members to understand that using music publicly without the appropriate licenses may expose event organizers to legal action and fines that can exceed $35,000.

Detailed information, including current annual fees and instructions for participating in the RRCA Group Music License Service, is available at www.rrca.org/our-programs-services/services/group-music-license-service

About the RRCA: Founded in 1958, the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) is the oldest and largest national association dedicated to growing the sport of running. The RRCA empowers everyone to run by championing community-based running organizations, events, and programs that foster participation in running as a sport and healthy lifestyle. Learn more at www.RRCA.org

Contact:

Jean Knaack
execdir@RRCA.org
703-525-3890