If you’re bored with your usual running routine, you may want to try a fun running challenge to re-ignite your love for running. Here are some challenges that are sure to help you get your running mojo back.
Marathon in a Month Challenge
Have you ever wanted to run a marathon, but just not all at once? A marathon in a month running challenge is perfect for busy people who want to run on a regular basis, but don’t have the time to train for a distance race like a full marathon (26.2 miles).
You just have to run a total of at least 26.2 miles in any month. You can accumulate your miles in whatever way you want to. For example, you could run a mile on most days, or do 3 miles a couple of times a week. Check out Marathon in a Month Running Challenge for more details and a handy tracking sheet.
Run a 5K Every Month for a Year
This running challenge may seem a bit daunting (especially if you live in a cold weather climate), but it’s very doable. The 5K (3.1 miles) is the perfect race to do once a month because the distance isn’t too hard on your body. However, the races are frequent enough that you won’t really have time to get lazy and out of shape. Local 5K races are fairly easy to find, so you shouldn’t have to travel very far.
Related: One Race a Month Running Challenge
Run Every Day for a Month
Start your own running streak by challenging yourself to run every day for a month. Your runs don’t have to be long. In fact, the United States Running Streak Association defines a running streak as “running at least one continuous mile within each calendar day under one’s own body power (without the utilization of any type of health or mechanical aid other than prosthetic devices)”. Your runs in a streak can be done on roads, tracks, trails, or treadmills.
A running streak is a fun way to stay motivated to run, but streakers should be careful. Running every day can lead to injuries, since rest days are important for recovery.
When you’re attempting a running streak, make sure that some of your runs are very short and easy. And don’t push yourself through an injury or illness just to keep the streak going. You could end up making your injury or illness worse or causing a new injury.
Related: Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day Running Challenge
Run a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Marathon in a Month
The planning for this type of challenge can be tough because it’s difficult to line up all the races four weekends in a row. First, pick a marathon you want to run and then work back from there. You may need to do at least one of the races virtually, if you can’t find a local race that works for you.
Of course, keep in mind, you shouldn’t be “racing” all of the distances, as back-to-back racing can lead to injury and burn-out. Treat some of them as training runs for the event that’s your goal race. For example, if the marathon is your target race, you can do a half marathon 2 or 3 weeks before as a long training run. You could also fit in 5K and 10K races as easy-paced runs during the final build-up to your marathon.
Run a Race in Every State in your Time Zone
Running local races is cheap and convenient, but it can be exciting to run in different parts of the country. Look for races in nearby states, so you can drive to the race and save on transportation costs.
If you’re traveling to another state for work or pleasure, see if there’s a race that coincides with your travel dates. You’ll be able to add a race to your calendar without having to making a special trip.
Create a Bucket List of Races
Do you have a list of races in your head that you’ve been dreaming about running? Write them all down and start working on a plan to run them by a certain date, whether it be within a year, for a milestone birthday, or on a special anniversary. For instance, some runners like to plan to complete a certain race or distance by their 30th, 40th, 50th, and beyond birthdays.
Advanced Runner Challenges
If you’ve been running for many years and are looking for some serious running challenges, here are a few challenges that are geared towards experienced runners.
Run a Half or Full Marathon Every Month for a Year
Running a half marathon or marathon every month will require some traveling, but you’ll get some great trips out of it. Just keep in mind that you shouldn’t be “racing” long distances every month. Do some of the races at your easy training pace. And you’ll still need to make sure you recover properly, especially from the full marathons.
Run Every Day for a Year
This running challenge is extremely ambitious, but it’ll also give you major bragging rights. If you run at least a mile every day for a full year, you can be included on the USRSA’s Official USA Active Running Streak List.
Run a Race in Every State
This challenge could take many years to accomplish, but each time you run another state, you’ll feel like you’re making progress and working toward an incredible goal. Some really ambitious runners take it up a notch by attempting to run a half or full marathon in every state.
Run Four Races in One Weekend
Multi-race challenges such as The Dopey Challenge (at Walt Disney World’s Marathon Weekend in January) have you doing a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon in one long weekend! Yes, that’s a total of 48.6 miles over four consecutive days. Other half or full marathon organizers also offer shorter races during their race weekends, so there are lots of similar opportunities across the country.
More Running Motivation:
- Ideas for Running Resolutions
- How to Set SMART Running Goals
- 6 Ways to Enjoy Racing More
- Fun Running Challenges for Kids
Running coach, avid runner, and fitness writer Christine Luff is an RRCA-certified running coach and ACE-certified personal trainer. Founder of the website Run for Good and author of the book Run for Good: How to Create a Lifelong Running Habit, she coaches runners, from beginners to advanced, who are training for races, from 5Ks to marathons.
