Fun runs

To people outside the running community, the concept of a fun run can seem strange - an oxymoron, even. We would argue, though, that these people have never experienced taking part in a fun run and probably should! 

Short and easy with plenty of extra entertainment, fun runs are ideal for kids and adults to get active in a low pressure environment. Sure, you can race if you like but that's far from the point of these locally organised events. Instead, focus on getting outdoors with friends and family while being active at the same time - it's a win-win!

Many fun runs will take place as part of a bigger event, such as the Great Scottish Mini race in Glasgow - part of the Great Scottish Run weekend, this 1.5 mile route is perfect for children and gets them involved in the carnival atmosphere of the weekend.

Likewise, a fun run might be organised locally - these take place in villages and towns all over the UK and are a fantastic opportunity for families to spend time together being active in the outdoors, as well as for new runners to try out an event with no pressure attached.

So, if you're dubious of the 'fun' element to these runs, we'd recommend getting involved - there's more than enough to go around.

Are fun runs 5K or 10K?

A fun run can be any distance and isn't defined by being a 5K or a 10K (though you wouldn't find one any longer than that). You can even find fun runs that are 1.5K or 2K, for example. The key thing that unites these races is that they are all about encouraging people to get involved, particularly when it comes to kids running. They focus much less on competition and much more on their reason for being: fun!

How can I find fun runs near me?

Use this page to browse fun runs across the UK, including virtual events that you can get involved with wherever you are. To narrow your search, select your region in the search box to discover races in your local area. You can also use the advanced search to refine your results to specific times of the year!