Bust out your sneaks, warm up your quads, and get ready for the world’s (unofficial) largest running party, Global Running Day. It’s happening this Wednesday, June 6, 2018, and there are loads of free, easy, and fun ways you can participate.
Although the event is just three years old, it’s already a pretty big deal. More than 1.2 million people in 187 countries pledged to run 8.2 million miles on Global Running Day 2017, according to the New York Road Runners (NYRR), which started the event in 2015.
"Running is such an accessible activity that people of all backgrounds and abilities can take part in," Michael Capiraso, president and CEO of NYRR, tells SELF. "All they need is a pair of shoes and they’re good to go." (Well, and maybe a supportive sports bra.) The goal of Global Running Day, explains Capiraso, is simple: for people around the world to celebrate the sport. "It’s a way for runners of all ages and abilities to share their passion for running and inspire others to get moving," he adds.
You can participate in #GlobalRunningDay by simply going on a jaunt of any distance at any time on Wednesday (and if you want to make it offish, you can log your intentions at GlobalRunningDay.org), but there are also tons of organized community runs and post-sweat celebrations scheduled in cities across the country. The best part: Many of them are free.
Nationwide
Fleet Feet Runs
- About: Fleet Feet, in partnership with Brooks and Nuun, is hosting one of two 5K events in more than 100 cities across the country: either a “super fun run” or a certified, timed 5K race. Cash prizes will be awarded to overall fastest runners in the nation and other finishers who meet pre-selected criteria, like the male and female who finish in the exact middle of all finishers. Some of the runs, like those in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Madison, Wisconsin, are free; others, like those in Annapolis, Maryland, and Asheville, North Carolina, have a registration fee (usually $ 35 or less).
- Time: Various times on June 6.
- Location: Fleet Feet storefronts in more than 100 cities nationwide, from Nashville to Tulsa, Sacramento, Albany, Orlando, and many more. See the full list of participating cities here.
- Get more info and registerhere.
Atlanta, Georgia
Movie and Midnight Run
- About: A free al fresco screening of running movie McFarland, USA with free popcorn, pizza, and for-sale popsicles followed by a midnight 5K track run. The Atlanta Track Club hosts.
- Time: Movie starts at 9:30 P.M. EST on June 5. Warmup starts at 11:45 P.M. EST. Run starts at midnight.
- Location: The track at Buck Godfrey Stadium (2817 Clifton Springs Road in Decatur).
- Get more info here.
Austin, Texas
3- and 6-Mile Fun Runs
- About: Free 3- and 6-mile fun runs led by the Austin Triathlon Club and sponsored by Under Armour. Stick around for post-run bottled water, nutrition bars, and raffle prize drawings.
- Time: Meet at 6 P.M. CST. Run starts at 6:30 P.M. CST.
- Location: Austin American-Statesman (305 South Congress Avenue in Austin)
- Get more info here.
Baltimore, Maryland
Community Fun Run
- About: A community run led by four local run group chapters—Faster Bastards, November Project, RIOT Squad Running, and Dunbar Poet Pride Run Club—followed by music, food, and product giveaways.
- Time: Check in starts at 5 P.M. EST. Run starts at 5:15 P.M. EST.
- Location: Under Armour Headquarters (2601 Port Covington Drive in Baltimore)
- Get more info here.
Boston, Massachusetts
Marathon Sports 3-Mile Breakfast Run
- About: A 3-mile community run (or walk) hosted by Marathon Sports with free breakfast and coffee at the finish.
- Time: Run starts at 8 A.M. EST.
- Location: Marathon Sports Shrewsbury (50 Boston Turnpike in Shrewsbury)
- Get more info here.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago Area Runners Association 3-Mile Fun Run
- About: CARA will host nine different 3-mile fun runs around the city and suburbs, each followed by a free ice cream social.
- Time: Run starts at 6:30 P.M. CST.
- Location: Various locations throughout the city and suburbs, including Montrose Beach, Lakeshore East Park, Schaumburg, and Wheaton. See full list here.
- Get more info here.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte Marathon Community Fun Runs
- About: 1-, 3-, and 5-mile community runs led by Charlotte Marathon ambassadors, plus after-run brews and a live DJ at NoDa Brewing Run Club. Your first beer is free, and NoDa Brewing will donate $ 1 per mile run to the Novant Health Hemby Children's Hospital.
- Time: Run starts at 6:30 P.M. EST.
- Location: NoDa Brewing Company (2921 N Tryon Street in Charlotte)
- Get more info here.
Los Angeles, California
Under Armour Fun Run & No Shower Happy Hour
- About: A 3.5- or 5-mile community run in Venice Beach led by the local chapter of running group Electric Flight Crew. Runners are then invited to a “No Shower Happy Hour” on a hotel rooftop with an open bar, taco bar, live DJ, and Under Armour giveaways.
- Time: Check in starts at 6:30 P.M. PST. Run starts at 7 P.M. PST.
- Location: Hotel Erwin Rooftop (1697 Pacific Avenue in Venice)
- Get more info here.
New York, New York
NYRR Breakfast Run
- About: A 2- to 3.5-mile group run followed by gratis coffee, hydration, a light breakfast, and a Global Running Day giveaways. Participants can also try out the latest New Balance footwear.
- Time: Run starts at 7 A.M. EST.
- Location: NYRR Runcenter (320 West 57th Street in Manhattan)
- Get more info and register here.
NYRR Pop-up Finish Lines
- About: Because when it comes to running, “the best location or moment to celebrate is right after you’ve crossed the finish line,” NYRR will be hosting 60 finish lines throughout the city, including pop-ups in Times Square, 30 Rock, and the Staten Island Ferry. Per NYRR, the stations will include a full-blown finish line structure or pop-up tape, and the majority will include free giveaways. Five-time NYC Marathon champ Tatyana McFadden and 1974 NYC Marathon champ Kathrine Switzer will be at the Central Park finish line in the morning, and 2018 Boston Marathon champ Desiree Linden will run through the Times Square finish line in the afternoon.
- Time: Various times during the day on June 6—some finish lines will be open as early as 6 A.M. and some as late as 8:30 P.M. EST.
- Location: Sixty “surprise” finish lines will be set up in all five boroughs.
- Get more info here.
Midnight 5K Run
- About: A 5K midnight run hosted by Under Armour and three local run groups—Harlem Run Crew, Electric Flight Crew, and Resident Runners—followed by drinks, food, and games.
- Time: Check in starts at 11:30 P.M. EST on Tuesday, June 5. Run starts at midnight.
- Location: Royal Palms Brooklyn (514 Union Street in Brooklyn)
- Get more info and register here.
Orlando, Florida
Community Run/Walk
- About: Track Shack hosts a free community run/walk covering 2 or 3 miles. There will be complimentary water, food, and cold drinks and a post-run product giveaway.
- Time: Run starts at 6:30 P.M. EST.
- Location: Track Shack (1104 N. Mills Avenue in Orlando)
- Get more info and register here.
Washington, D.C.
5K Fun Run
- About: A free 5K community run led by local run group District Running Collective. Post-run festivities include music, food, and drink.
- Time: Check in starts at 6:30 P.M. EST. Run starts at 7:30 P.M. EST.
- Location: New DRC/UA Run Space (733 11th Street NE in Washington, D.C.)
- Get more info here. [Link to be updated with more info closer to the event.]
