Unique Running Destinations and Races

Spring break is here and before you know it school will be out for the summer! If you find yourself looking for a new destination for your next vacation, check out some of our AMPT Ambassador’s favorite races and/or running locations around the globe for a little inspiration! Plus, they’ll also share their best tips for staying active when traveling.

Destination Races – AMPT Ambassador Favorites

1. Any Rock ’n’ Roll Running Series event!
   
   The Rock ‘n’ Roll series offers multiple distance options with race locations all over the world! Each race is unique and aims to capture the music and culture of the city they’re in. Examples include running the Las Vegas Strip, San Diego, Savannah, Virginia Beach, and more domestic locations, along with options in Spain, Mexico, and more across the globe! Their motto is “Bringing Fun to the Run” and our ambassador team is confident you’ll have tons of fun! You can even ditch your headphones and listen to music along the course!More Information/Register HERE:
2. Wings for Life World Run
   This is a unique race format recommended to us by AMPT Ambassador Paul Norris. Paul speaks very highly of this race and said it is “a great run to do whilst being away”. The awesome part about this run is that it takes off in multiple locations around the globe, with everyone having the exact same start time! The goal is to cover as much distance as possible and “race against the catcher car” to see how far you can get! This is a unique challenge with virtual and multiple in person options such as Houston, TX, Munich, Germany, Atlanta, Mexico, and more! Plus, 100% of the registration fees go to Spinal Cord Research! More Information/Register HERE:
3. Parkruns
   This also comes recommended by AMPT Ambassador, Paul Norris! According to Paul, “Parkruns are free, timed 5K runs held every Saturday morning all over the world”. What an awesome way to meet a new running community either right from your hometown or while traveling! All events are organized by local volunteers and are for all experience levels and ages.
   

Locate a Run / Learn More HERE:

Big Sur International Marathon
Last but not least, the Big Sur International Marathon is a scenic marathon “on the ragged edge of the Western World”. According to their race website, “The course is from Big Sur to Carmel on Scenic Highway 1, the nation’s first nationally-designated Scenic Highway.” While elevation changes may not lead to your greatest PR, this is an experience you don’t want to miss!

More Information/Register HERE:

Best Running Locations – AMPT Ambassador Top Picks

1. Southern California – “The Strand”
   AMPT Ambassador, Josh Kemp, highly recommends running “The Strand” in Southern California. Josh used to live nearby and explains “it’s a paved running/bike path that runs through the beach right along the ocean and stretches the entire distance of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach. Nothing better than getting to watch the waves crash while you’re out there running! If you’re ever in socal, check it out!”
   
2. Any run on the beach!

AMPT Ambassador, Stacey Rotunno says “I love running on the beach while on vacation! We’ve been to Barcelo Maya twice now and both times I was in the middle of a run streak, so I ran every single morning around the resort and on the beach.” I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to pack my bags and head out to a tropical location!

1. Central Park – New York City
   This one is a personal favorite. Central Park in New York City covers a lot of ground and can be hard to explore all at once when walking on foot. However, when running you can cover more ground and take in all of the sites of both the park and the skyline! 

Finally, a tip from our ambassadors about running while out of town:

Plan Ahead!

As AMPT Ambassador, Katie Callender, recommends “I always try to make sure the hotel I’m staying in has a fitness room. I’ve also asked the front desk or Air B&B owner about local parks or running trails to get more details on nearby amenities.”

You can read more about the benefits of planning ahead and other tips about destination running in our previous post about “How to Plan your Next Run-cation” HERE.

We hope this article gives you creative inspiration on where to run next! Wherever you choose, don’t forget to pack your running shoes so you’ll be ready to hit the pavement and take in all the sights of your destination! Bon Voyage!