The Art Of The Runcation: Essential Tips For Traveling Runners

If you’re a runner, you’ll know you often need to travel from one location to another. Major runs often occur in cities across the world or sometimes in rural areas.

Going on a running travel adventure isn’t as straightforward as you might think. It can come with all sorts of hassles and issues that you don’t get on a regular vacation. Fortunately, this guide is here to help. We take a look at the art of the runcation, providing you with the essential tips you need for your journey

Pack properly

You want to start by packing properly for your runcation. For many runners, the best option is to pack versatile gear. Merino wool blends are a good travel hack because they resist odour and naturally regulate temperature. You can wear them several times without having to wash them, and you should avoid giving off any bad odours. You can also wash merino wool using travel laundry detergent or a sink washing bar if you can find one. You can also use a washing machine and a dryer if those facilities are available to you.

Embrace shakeouts regularly while travelling on airlines

If you’re a runner travelling for various runs across the globe, you’ll also want to embrace shakeouts. The idea here is to get up from your seat every 20 to 30 minutes and do some light movement. You should also combine this with natural sunlight if you can to train your body’s circadian rhythm and prevent you from feeling exhausted whenever you arrive at a new destination. You’ll notice that once you start using shakeout techniques, you won’t want to stop.

Check prices

You also need to be very careful when it comes to pricing out a runner’s vacation. All the little details can often mean that it’s more expensive than you originally budgeted for, and you can find yourself sometimes running out of money.

Start Line Trips, which costs up race weekends, is a good place to begin with your research. It provides detailed guidelines for what you can expect to spend in various locations in different places. You can then use this information to plan your budget and think about how much a trip is really going to cost you

Keep your fueling familiar

Don’t make the mistake of eating completely different food when you arrive at your destination. Instead, work on keeping your fuelling as familiar as possible. Your body is, of course, used to a certain way of eating, so it’s a good idea to provide it with what it needs. It’s probably not advisable to arrive at a destination and immediately start eating foreign street food. For many people, this can lead to gastrointestinal issues that decline their performance significantly.

Front load the main event

Finally, it’s a good idea to front-load the main event. Try to take part in the race within 24 to 48 hours of arrival, and then you can enjoy the rest of your time in the location completely guilt-free.

More Essential Runcation Tips

Runcations have grown significantly as a travel trend. A 2025 Skyscanner survey found that 50% of Australians were planning a runcation, with 45% saying they’re motivated to use run travel as a way to explore new places. More than 80% planned to extend their stay beyond the race to explore the destination further. It’s no longer a niche pursuit: it’s one of the fastest-growing forms of active travel.

Here are some additional tips that the most experienced runcation travellers consistently rely on.

• Book accommodation close to the start line. This matters more than it might seem. On race morning, the last thing you need is a long commute, an expensive taxi, or navigating an unfamiliar transport system under time pressure. Race travel planning guides consistently recommend choosing your accommodation based on proximity to the start line first and price or amenities second. Many major race events also provide official hotel partners or shuttle services: check whether yours does before booking independently.
• Run the course before race day where possible. Even a partial route reconnaissance run in the days before the race tells you enormously useful things: where the hills are, where the crowds will be, which sections are exposed to sun or wind, and where you might need to adjust pacing. Experienced runcation runners recommend a short shakeout along the final stretch or the toughest section specifically, so there are no unwelcome surprises on race day.
• Plan your race expo visit carefully. Most major race events have a pre-race expo where you collect your race pack, number, and chip. These can be large, tiring affairs with a lot of standing and walking: the exact opposite of what you want two days before a race. Go early, collect what you need, and resist the temptation to spend hours browsing the merchandise and sponsor stands. Your legs will thank you.
• Build in a buffer day after the race. Front-loading the race as the original guide recommends is the right call, but do also plan for the reality that you’ll be sore and tired for at least a day afterwards. Building a rest day or low-activity day into your post-race itinerary means you can enjoy the destination without the frustration of being less mobile than you’d like. It also gives you time to recover before any long flights home.
• Carry your race essentials in hand luggage, not checked bags. Running shoes, race kit, and any race-day nutrition or fuel you’re relying on should travel in your hand luggage rather than checked baggage. Experienced runcation runners are emphatic about this: the risk of checked baggage being delayed or lost is small but the consequence of your race shoes not arriving is significant. It’s worth planning your packing to make this possible.

How to Choose Your Next Runcation Destination

Choosing a runcation destination is different from choosing a regular holiday destination. The race itself is the anchor, which means you’re essentially choosing between two approaches: pick the race first and let the destination follow, or pick the destination first and find a race that fits.

For many runners, the race-first approach works well because it gives you a defined goal and a specific date to train toward. World Marathon Majors (Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York), major trail races, and well-established city half marathons all offer the combination of a quality race experience and a compelling destination. For these, registration opens months or years in advance, so planning needs to begin early.

The destination-first approach suits runners who are more flexible about distance or format and want to prioritise a specific place they’ve always wanted to visit. Outside’s running travel hub is a good resource for finding races in destinations that appeal to you, from trail ultras in the Alps to city marathons in Asia and the Americas.

Whichever approach you take, race travel specialist The Travel Runner recommends allowing at least six months of planning time for major international events, and checking the race’s reputation for organisation, course quality, and support before committing.

Runcation Planning at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a runcation?

A runcation is a holiday or trip planned around a running event, typically a race. The race is the primary purpose of the trip rather than a secondary activity, and the destination is chosen based on where a desirable race is taking place. Runcations range from weekend city marathon trips to multi-week trail running adventures in remote locations. The appeal is that running provides an unusually intimate way to experience a destination: you see more of a place on foot than you would from a tour bus or taxi, and the shared experience of race day creates a strong connection to both the event and the location.

How far in advance should I book a runcation?

For major events, as early as possible. World Marathon Majors like London, Boston, Berlin, and Tokyo have balloted entry systems and waitlists that require planning a year or more ahead. Flights and accommodation for popular race weekends also book up quickly once the event is announced. Race travel planning guides recommend booking flights three to four months ahead for a good balance of price and availability, and sorting accommodation immediately after race registration is confirmed. For less competitive events, three to six months is generally sufficient for comfortable planning.

How do I manage jet lag when racing in a different time zone?

Arriving at least two to three days before the race is the standard advice for significant time zone differences, with some runners aiming for five to seven days for major time zone crossings. On the flight, adjust your watch and your behaviour (sleep and meal times) to the destination time zone immediately rather than staying on home time. Natural light exposure on arrival is one of the most effective tools for resetting your circadian rhythm quickly: get outside in daylight as soon as you land. Avoid napping for long periods on arrival day. The original guide’s recommendation to embrace shakeout movement on the flight also helps: movement keeps circulation active and makes it easier to sleep when the time is right.

What should I eat in the days before a runcation race?

The general principle is exactly as the original guide advises: keep it familiar. Your pre-race nutrition routine should be the same as it is before any race at home. The two or three days before a longer race typically involve increasing carbohydrate intake to top up glycogen stores: pasta, rice, bread, and oats are all reliable options that you can usually find anywhere in the world. The day before the race specifically, avoid introducing new foods, new restaurants, or cuisines your stomach hasn’t previously encountered. Traveller’s stomach from an unfamiliar meal the night before a race is unfortunately a well-documented runcation experience and one that is entirely avoidable with a little planning.

Can non-running partners enjoy a runcation?

Yes, and many runcations work well for mixed groups. Race destinations are chosen for their appeal as places, not just their race courses, which means the destination itself usually offers plenty for non-runners. Race weekends also have a distinctive atmosphere that many non-runners enjoy: the expo, the crowd support on course, and the post-race celebration are all engaging even if you’re not racing. The main adjustment needed is around race day itself, where the runner’s schedule of early start, strict nutrition, and pre-race routine may not align with a more relaxed holiday pace. Building non-running activities into the post-race days and being clear about race day logistics in advance keeps everyone happy.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.