Top 10 Unique Running Race Experiences
Some running races draw tens of thousands of participants, or have been around for decades or longer, and, for that, they’re famous.
But these days, smaller races put on by savvy race organizers have little gems and authentic parts of the race that are so meaningful, the stories of them reverberate around your run crews, stories online, and social media.
They stand out as unique, memorable races, and you just have to register and do it yourself!
So, how do races stand out, and how do racers choose the memorable races to enter?
Here are 10 of our favourite unique running race experiences. Reply to us with yours.
#1 Let’s start at the start: the New York Marathon. When the gun goes off in Staten Island and you’re about to cross the Verrazano bridge into the mighty 26.2 miles of a marathon, hearing Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” blaring over the speakers is certain to put a hop in your step.
#2 The final aid station at Squamish 50: Farside. It’s not the finish line, but the final aid station in the Squamish 50 trail ultra in BC, Canada that is a must-see destination.
Every year, Run Like a Girl runs this station meticulously with a unique and hilarious theme, from capturing the Barkley Marathons vibe in 2018 (for a fun stab at race organizer Gary Robbins’ attempts there) to Mexican fiesta in 2016.
It’s the perfect pickup when you desperately need it! Hats off to these epic race volunteers.
#3 Lululemon’s SeaWheeze half marathon is a unique gem of a race, from requesting runners’ life goals and intentions, to the wall of rubber high five hands, to the Sunset Festival, featuring Diplo, a ferris wheel, vintage arcade, and bounce houses.
#4 Running with a running celebrity can add a real boost to your stride. At the Silicon Valley Half, you just might get to run with one of the USA’s favourite marathoners, Olympic silver medallist, and winner of the Boston and New York Marathons, Meb Keflezighi.
#5 Events like Take the Bridge allow the runner to navigate their own way. The race includes checkpoints which can be covered in any order you choose, and in any route you choose. This is sure to add excitement, and maybe even a bit of anxiety, to your race.
#6 Night races! Does it ever feel fast to race at night in the dark? The Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas has been on many people’s bucket lists. The course goes right along the famous Las Vegas Strip, which gets blocked off so runners can experience the sights, lights, and sounds of Las Vegas Boulevard with zero cars.
#7 Is it out of love or disdain? But almost every finisher of the Coast Mountain Trail Running (CMTR) series, upon crossing the finish line, takes up race organizer Gary Robbins on his hug offer. It might be out of love, or euphoria, or sheer anger at the pain they just received from Gary and his team.
#8 There are few more motivating sights than seeing the finish line stretch on a famous marathon you’re doing. At the London Marathon, the sight of Buckingham Palace is an inspiring view, and it’s also a unique opportunity to run right in the middle of all the action in London.
#9 Not getting lost as a competitive advantage. Even with course markings, runners with paper maps, course hints scribbled on arms, and on-course volunteers, runners are getting lost. RunGo's own Noah describes how he used RunGo to help him win a running race. Runners using RunGo are over 80% less likely to miss a turn or go off-course. They can use it on the iPhone/Android app or, like me and increasingly more runners, Apple Watch for discrete navigation.
Noah explains that he won a running race, and it's because he used this app 🚀 pic.twitter.com/5QpupTsbt5
— RunGo (@RunGoApp) February 4, 2020
#10 Race embracing digital solutions to a common race issue: runners getting lost. While many races are notoriously well-marked, unfortunately, sometimes course markings are vandalized or destroyed, volunteers can make mistakes, or unexpected intersections emerge. Races like the Growler Relay use RunGo instead of any course signage:
“Allows you to be immersed in the running experience rather than having to keep an eye out for signs on the road! It also reduces the environmental footprint of the races.”
