Best 10 US Races to Run During Your Time in the Military

By Tonia Gütting

We run to be healthy. We run to relieve stress. And sometimes, some of us, run for the fun of it. Experts will tell you to pick a goal for your workout, and if it’s enjoyable it will be even more motivating. So finding a fun run event near you is a win-win. Some locations’ fun runs make you want to be stationed there so you can participate. While many have been postponed for COVID, keep training with the hope of their return. For now, take some of the race ideas to inspire your workout—jog through historical or beautiful places, add a colorful costume and humor, or find an unusual goal to work towards. And definitely reward yourself well!

Here’s 10 of our military spouses’ favorite races to look forward to:

1. Midnight Sun Run, Fairbanks, AK, near Ft. Wainwright and Eielson Air Force Base: No one notices the sun’s track, or celebrates it, like Alaska. On the solstice in June, families and friends in all costume fashion run through the streets at midnight while the sun makes slow circles around the horizon without setting.
2. Krispy Kreme Challenge, Raleigh, NC, near Ft. Bragg: Can’t wait till the end of the race for your reward? This race is your ticket. Run 2.5 miles through Raleigh’s historic downtown, eat a dozen hot donuts, then run back. Easy!
3. 18.12 Challenge, Watertown, NY, near Ft Drum: History and northern New York’s beautiful fall landscape combine to make the miles go by in this race. The finish line reward holds a view of Lake Ontario from the Sackets Harbor Battlefield site and a great medal.
4. Super Hero Run, Beaufort, SC, near Marine Corp Air Station: Everything is more fun with a cape. Add to that the energy of a bunch of kids, and you’ve got a great 5K.
5. Garmin Marathon in the Land of Oz, Olathe, KS, near Ft. Leavenworth: Grab your Dorothy smock and lion’s heart for this Wizard of Oz themed race. Top finishers in the 10K, half and full marathon win Garmins.
6. Wahiawa Pineapple Run, Oahu, HI, near several duty stations including Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station—Pacific, Wheeler Army Airfield, and Schofield Barracks: Hawaiian hills and pineapple fields make for a sweet run. Getting a pineapple for finishing is even sweeter.
7. The Great Inflatable Race, Columbia, SC, near Fort Jackson: Tutus, boxing gloves, wigs—whatever you need to run this obstacle course with massive inflatables requiring climbing, sliding, rolling, jumping, and pushing through. All fast-runner bets are off when any hilarious bouncing occurs.
8. Cherry Blossom Run, Washington, D.C., near Fort Belvoir: How can you not want to run through the ambiance of a path strewn with cherry blossom petals? Join hundreds of runners from around the world who converge to experience the cherry trees in full bloom in our nation’s capital.
9. Savannah Bridge Run, Savannah, GA, near Hunter Army Airfield and Fort Stewart: Some races are all about the location—even places you normally can’t go. The Talmadge Bridge is open to runners on this 5k race day, allowing participants a fantastic view of the city.
10. Running of the Reindeer, Anchorage, AK, near Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson: For a safer, colder, and more fun running with the bulls, go to the streets of downtown Anchorage in March. Runners tromp through a foot of snow with lively reindeer herds in pursuit.