We’ve rounded up six of the world’s best fun runs…from Nessie-spotting in the Scottish Highlands; to an immersive journey with Darth Vader at Disneyland. Not forgetting a hazy run around the famous French vineyards – stopping only to sample the wine and cheese!
Bay to Breakers, San Francisco
Since 1912, over 2 million costumed runners, walkers and centipedes (worth a google!) have completed the iconic 12K route from San Francisco Bay, through Golden Gate Park, to breakers at Ocean Beach. This party of the people (sneakily disguised as a run) is the oldest consecutively run annual footrace in the whole world and promises a day of (boozy) fun. Keep your eye out for the ‘Bare to Breakers’ crew, who run the route naked!
When: Sunday 31st May 2020
www.baytobreakers.com
Star Wars Half Marathon, Disneyland Resort
Star Wars fanatics rejoice! Dress up and run the 13.1-mile course through Disneyland Resort, surrounded by hundreds of Darth Vaders, Chewbaccas and bun-haired Princess Leias! This immersive, inter-galactic, experience is also rewarded with collectable themed medals. May the Force be with you!
When: 16-19th April 2020
www.rundisney.com
Sun Herald City2Surf, Sydney
Sydney’s City2Surf is the world’s largest fun run, with over 84,000 entrants. Fancy dress is highly encouraged – so keep your eyes peeled for Wonder Woman or the famous City2Surf Gorillas. Next year, the race celebrates its 50th year and promises to be bigger and better than ever before! Walk, jog or run the famous 14km course from Hyde Park in Sydney’s CBD to the iconic Bondi Beach.
When: Sunday 9th August 2020
www.city2surf.com.au
Medoc Marathon (Marathon du Medoc)
Love running? But also love wine? Well, we’ve found the fun run for you! This marathon tours the Medoc wine region, near Bordeaux – winding through some of the world’s famous French wineries. With over 20 wine-tasting stations along the route – making it to the end could become a hazy adventure! Fortunately, you’ll also find food stations along the 42km route to help soak up the vino. Just don’t expect energy bars, but instead local delicacies such as oysters, ham and fromage!
When: Saturday 7th September 2019
www.marathondumedoc.com
Round the Bays, Auckland
New Zealand’s largest fun run attracts 29,000 participants to its 8.4km flat course, from Auckland CBD to St. Heliers Bay. With acts every 600 metres, you can leave your headphones at home and enjoy entertainment from DJs, Tamashii Taiko drummers and Highly Flammable Stilt walkers – to name a few!
When: Sunday 8th March 2020
www.Roundthebays.co.nz
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running
At the top of many runner’s bucket lists, the Loch Ness Marathon boasts incredibly sexy scenery, following alongside the stunning Loch Ness. The infamous loch contains more water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined, making it the most voluminous lake in the UK. And then there’s the mythical monster that is said to live within it! This family-friendly events also includes a 10K, 5K and the ‘Wee Nessie’ race for the kids – just keep an eye out for a mysteriously long neck rising from the peat-filled water.
When: Sunday 6th October 2019
www.lochnessmarathon.com