Fun Runs

Fun Runs by country

Fun runs - competitions for recreational athletes

Fun runs are a great event for you as a recreational athlete to compete in a crowd of many ambitious runners.

Incidentally, the first fun run in Germany took place near Augsburg in 1963. Fun runs are usually 10 kilometres long and are offered as part of marathon or half marathon events.

The special thing about fun runs

In fun runs, the fun of running is more important than performance. This is why they are subject to fewer regulations than marathon events, for example.

The 10-km run can take place along roads, but also along forest paths. The running times are calculated for each runner and there are also rankings with certificates or medals. However, the course is not precisely measured and therefore the completed times are not included in any leaderboards.

However, if the fun run is organised as part of a marathon event - which is usually the case - then it is of course subject to the same regulations as the marathon. The course is precisely measured and there are also lists of best times.

Training for a 10 km run

Fun runs are a popular sporting event and the distance is also very achievable for you as a recreational athlete. These types of races are ideal for you, especially if you enjoy running but also have a little motivation to perform.

You don't have to start training too early and it doesn't take up all of your free time. Nevertheless, you can ambitiously work towards your best time.

We recommend that you start regular training 12 weeks before the race. This includes 2 to 3 running sessions per week. One of these should be interval training so that you can also train your speed and run a best time.

In a 10 km run, the majority of the race is run in the aerobic zone. This means that you run at 70 - 80 % of your maximum heart rate. Your muscles are supplied with sufficient oxygen and draw energy from this. Training sessions in this range improve your endurance and strengthen your cardiovascular system.

At the end of a 10-km run, you are usually running in the anaerobic zone. This means that the oxygen supply to the muscles is insufficient and lactate is released to keep them efficient. The result is over-acidification and rapid exhaustion of your muscles. In order to keep running in the anaerobic range for some time, you should incorporate interval training into your training plan once a week. For example, you can run 3 times for 5 minutes at a faster pace and trot at a leisurely pace in between to lower your heart rate and reduce the lactate build-up. This will train your body and your cardiovascular system to cope with a higher running speed and to keep going.

With these training tips, you will be able to complete your 10 km run without any problems. Incidentally, professional athletes often use the time of a 10 km run as a benchmark for performance.

In a 10 km run, the majority of the race is run in the aerobic zone. This means that you run at 70 - 80 % of your maximum heart rate. Your muscles are supplied with sufficient oxygen and draw energy from this. Training sessions in this range improve your endurance and strengthen your cardiovascular system.

The 5 best-known fun runs

We have compiled a list of all the running events in the fun run category for you. You are sure to find a run to suit your taste. We present the 5 best-known fun runs in more detail here.

The Great 10K 
The Great 10K is a legendary fun run in Berlin. The start is at Charlottenburg Palace. The 10-kilometre route takes you right through the city, with the highlight being that you run right through Berlin Zoo. Around 7,000 participants take part every year. The course record is held by Kenyan Leonard Kolon with 27 minutes and 12 seconds.

Venloop
As part of the half marathon event, there is also a 10 km race in Venloop in the Netherlands. This is a spectacular running event with a festival character, as thousands of spectators are on hand to cheer the runners on along the course. A total of around 21,300 runners take part in this event and the 10 km race also offers recreational athletes the opportunity to take part in this special event.

Spreewald Marathon
The Spreewald Marathon takes place in April in Brandenburg and offers various distances for runners of different levels. In the 10 km race, you even complete 4 km of the course together with the marathon runners. In addition to running, there are also many other disciplines such as walking or skating.

Central German Marathon
The Central German Marathon has been organised in Leipzig since 2001. On the marathon route, participants run from Leipzig to Halle. Like the marathon, the 10-km run is only run on tarmac. Around 4,000 starters take to the course at this event in October.

Münster Marathon
The Münster Marathon is a popular event among runners and is the marathon of the year in North Rhine-Westphalia. As a runner, you have the honour of crossing the finish line on a red carpet. Another highlight is the fact that 300 bands and artists entertain the athletes around the race. The 10-km run as part of this event is organised as a charity run and the money raised is donated directly to UNICEF.

If you have already taken part in a fun run, share your experiences with us and rate the relevant run at the top of the list. This will help other athletes to choose the right running event for them.