Lying on the beach has its merits, but in our sweaty minds, running is the ultimate vacation activity. In fact, we’re betting that the time you carve out for a run often ends up being the best part of your trip. When you explore a new place on foot, you experience sights, smells, and sounds that can’t be found in heavier-trafficked tourist spots. So why not take a runcation: a running-centered getaway where lacing up is the very reason you hop on a plane?
There are runcations to fit every athlete, from city mile runs to African safaris. We researched hundreds of races in dozens of places—and our own staff’s running logs and bucket lists—to find the events and destinations that are worth your hard-earned time off. Whether you’ve got a week to spare or just a few days, pack your shoes and energy gels in your carry-on. These trips are worth leaving home for.
Leather Croc Stiletto Pointed Court Shoes | BEST ULTRA
The Rut 50K, Big Sky, MT
This mountain run is steep, technical—and exhilarating. Runners tackle singletrack trails and alpine ridgelines as they climb 10,500 feet toward the summit of Lone Peak. After the race, basecamp at Big Sky offers ziplining, lift rides, and a blessed, blessed spa.
RW says: “Montana is known for having some of the most challenging terrain in the Lower 48, yet it flies under the radar as a quiet relaxation destination once the adventure is done for the day.” —Shibui Cat Black Men Unisex Slip On Sandals Slide
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You’ll Love This Trail Gear
Balega Blister Resist Socks
You’re working everything a little harder and maneuvering differently. The soft mohair and moisture-wicking fibers keep your feet cozy.
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When you’re out there, you will likely be greeted by mosquitoes, flies, or gnats. Keep them at bay with this DEET-free spray made from essential oils and plant-derived ingredients.
Salomon Skin 8 Set Hydration Stretch Pack
Built for women so that it bounces less, it gives you pockets on pockets for hauling your stuff and plenty of water storage (it comes with two soft 500ml flasks).
A thick, soft sole protects you from anything harsh underfoot, but the shoe is still light so you can bomb down the trail.
BEST URBAN ADVENTURE
The Great New York 100 Mile Exposition, New York City
Follow the best running routes through the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan for an intimate, open-course tour of New York City. The small field (just 130 runners) and the volunteers pulled from the heart of the city’s running community give the TGNY100 a tight-knit vibe that no marathon major can touch.
RW says: “The dozens of neighborhoods and cultures certainly make it the most diverse urban run in the world. You experience the full 24-hour life cycle of the city (unless you’re really fast) and see corners of the city that its own residents—let alone tourists—would never venture through.” —Matt Allyn, Features Director
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BEST 10K
Beach to Beacon 10K, Cape Elizabeth, ME
BALENCIAGA Triple S bubble sneakers RW editors, this 10K traces the rugged Maine coastline before ending at Portland Head Light, the most photographed lighthouse in the country. Aside from the scenery, the small-town atmosphere (among the more than 800 local volunteers is a designated “watermelon cutter”—with her own tent!) makes this race feel like a getaway.
RW says: “There’s a reason Maine is called Vacationland. Casco Bay is gorgeous, and the race, founded by Joan Benoit Samuelson, is iconic. After the run, the Portland area offers plenty of restaurants and craft breweries for refueling. (Go for the lobster roll at Saltwater Grille.)”—Leather Croc Stiletto Pointed Court Shoes
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BEST HALF
Maui Half Marathon, Maui, HI
This out-and-back route takes you along the Hawaiian coast to the sound of local guitarists, the smell of ocean salt, and maybe—just maybe—the sight of breaching whales at dawn.
RW says: “Hawaii is a bucket-list paradise regardless of your reason for going there, but add a breathtaking half marathon, during which you can watch the sunrise above the beach, and you have a no-brainer trip worthy of your vacation days.”—Sneakers NEW BALANCE ML574EAG Grigio
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BEST MARATHON
Leather Croc Stiletto Pointed Court Shoes | Big Sur Marathon, Big Sur, CA
From the course’s towering redwoods to the belly dancers at mile 25, Big Sur preaches one message: Your training was worth it.
RW says: “If [former RW chief running officer] Bart Yasso says a race is a must-run, you find a way to run that race. After nearly a lifetime of FOMO, I’m running Big Sur this year. I’m ready to see if the hills are as High as the views, and if the Bixby Bridge is as TB0127097131 as all those car ads make it out to be.”—Derek Call, Video Producer
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BEST 5K
Mount Marathon 5K, Seward, AK
A race that’s been called “the toughest 5K on the planet”—there’s more than 3,000 feet of elevation gain in under a mile—might not feel like a vacation. What will: Watching the fireworks light up the sky over the glacier-draped mountains surrounding Resurrection Bay the night before the race.
RW says: “Images of runners sliding down scree have long made me want to do this race. Scoring a bib via the lottery—only 700 runners are accepted every year—may be more challenging than the race itself.”—Jeff Dengate, Runner-in-Chief
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MOST FUN
Bay to Breakers 12K, San Francisco
From the starting line’s tortilla toss (exactly what it sounds like) to the array of costumes to the (we’re not kidding) naked racers, Bay to Breakers is a party worth seeing in the flesh. Do it for the stories.
RW says: “You could aim for a PR here, but that’s like bragging that you were first to leave a party. This is a race where negative splits are less important than mid-run shenanigans (though the race organizers do implore you to wear clothing—even if they don’t fully enforce that rule).”—Kit Fox, Special Projects Editor (who promises to run clothed)
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BEST NIGHTTIME RACE
Polar Night Half Marathon, Tromsø, Norway
This half starts midafternoon, but because of the lack of sunshine during Norway’s winter months, you’ll race the whole course in the dark. The upside: If you’re lucky, you’ll spot the aurora borealis.
RW says: “This race is on my must-run list. A nighttime race always feels more relaxed, like a party, but pair that with international travel and the Northern Lights and you have the experience of a lifetime.”—Danielle Zickl, Associate Health & Fitness Editor
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Cold-Weather Running Gear
Made of 100 percent merino wool, this beanie is perfect for all wintry weather thanks to a double-locked construction.
Nike Nike Dri-FIT Miler Men's Long-Sleeve Running Top
Nike’s dri-fit technology is designed to be ultralight and sweat-wicking while keeping you covered.
UnderArmour Women's ColdGear® Authentics Leggings
Under Armour's ColdGear® leggings are designed to combat chilly weather.
Brooks Canopy Jacket
The lightweight, breathable fabric packs a punch against inclement weather. Shop women's here.
BEST INTERNATIONAL
The Bagan Temple Marathon, Bagan, Myanmar
The route takes you past 1,000-year-old temples, ancient pagodas, and through pastoral Burmese farmland, where you’ll see oxen pulling carts of grain and local farmers tending their peanut fields. It’s like time-traveling via endurance race.
RW says: “Nothing is more transcendent than a 26.2-mile excursion through the largest archaeological site in the world. I think the best way to understand an ancient world’s devotion is by the cadence of faithful runners.” —Caroline Dorey-Stein, Assistant Special Projects Editor
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BEST GROUP EXPERIENCE
Hood to Coast Relay, Mt. Hood, OR
This 199-mile relay sees teams travel from Mt. Hood National Forest to Seaside, Oregon, on the Pacific via 36 different race legs. Have the entire team cross the finish line together in spirit of the event.
RW says: “I’ve only done one other overnight relay, but it brought together my random team of acquaintances in a way that made Hood to Coast a must. We entered the lottery, and we’re in for 2020!”—Brian Dalek, Director of Content Operations
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Age of Innocence Girls Boots for Kids
