I’m Sick of Global Running Day. Here’s Why.

I can still feel my first Global Running Day. First, the fresh, cold air on my skin in Pennsylvania at 5 a.m. The quiet buzzing of anticipation, greetings passed from one runner to the next as 20 of us gathered for a hilly group run before work.

I got word just the day before—from a friend, who was invited by her boyfriend, who was invited by the bartender at our favorite brewery, who was invited by a local running legend who provided the time and location and instructed others to spread the word. I didn’t know the route or that it would wind up and down a notorious foothill in our town. I just followed the pack. Four miles down, and a promise to reconvene in front of the local running store for an evening run to close out the holiday.

And then: the 5 p.m. trek, more hobble than run under a humid sun, my quads still aching from the morning’s climb. After, the original crew (plus other evening-only runners) met for drinks, laughing at the stupidity that we were observing a fake holiday—one that had started in 2009 as a way to celebrate running and introduce people to the sport. It was a noble vision, and despite our skepticism, we were grateful that it made us run more and harder miles than we would’ve otherwise and that it brought us together. It was everything I love about running.

What Happened to Global Running Day?

That was a decade ago. Since then, the day, which is held on the first Wednesday of June every year, has, well… evolved.

In the years since, I attended an event where electrolyte drinks were served in champagne glasses. I experienced the thrill of getting a free pair of shoes from a well-known run club. But as it shifted from a spontaneous group runs to events to corporate-sponsored parties you had to RSVP to, it felt less like a celebration and more like mandatory fun.

Global Running Day actually started as National Running Day back in 2009, spearheaded by New York Road Runners (NYRR). The idea was to get people moving, even if it was just a mile. In 2016, it went international and rebranded to Global Running Day, thanks to a big push from NYRR and the World Marathon Majors. In that first year, more than 2.5 million people across 177 countries pledged to run a collective 9.2 million miles. Which, yes, is a wild number—but it shows just how much people wanted to be part of something bigger. The idea has always remained the same—get people all over to run.

Last year, after what felt like 1,000 marketing emails in the days leading up to the holiday, I became a conscientious objector. I didn’t run a mile. And yes, I understand this makes me a stick in the mud, but hear me out.

It’s not that I’m against events. It’s not even that I’m against brands. Actually, I love running gear, and since I’ve worked in the running industry for a long time, I get it. I’ve been the person crafting the emails, setting up the photo ops, stuffing swag bags for running events. I know the intention is often good: to bring people together and celebrate something joyful. But I know that an event I have to register for, hosted by a store or company, will always feel more an obligation to an unliving entity than a promise to other runners or myself.

And while those events will try to elicit an emotional response, nothing can make someone feel the organic camaraderie gained from a spontaneous shared adventure. A branded, perfectly executed event is never going to carry the same heart (or have the same legs) as one created naturally, born of nothing more than a self-motivating passion for running.

A Running Utopia

What made Global Running Day special for me that first year was that it felt like Field Day when we were kids. Silly. Sweaty. Free. There were no products. No hashtags. No photo opps (well, maybe some, but nothing staged). Just people showing up for each other.

When I really think about why it mattered, it comes down to connection. That day was the first time I ran in a group that large since high school cross country. It was also the first time I ever willingly did a two-a-day without a coach forcing me to. We metaphorically tore up our training plans and just ran. I left that day with dirt caked around my ankles and new friends. Some, I never saw again, but I remember their names and faces. Others, I ran with for years after.

That spirit—that freedom and community—is what we should be celebrating. So, if you want to mark Global Running Day by buying new shoes or signing up for a race, go for it. But do it because you love running.

Make the Day Count

Better yet, celebrate in a way that brings people together. Do a group run with a new group. Invite a non-runner on a walk-run. Get weird and make a sign and cheer for runners on their daily runs. Commit to a training plan with a friend. Organize your own lo-fi event with no sponsors, no frills, and lots of joy.

And if you’re sick of the “paid-to-be-your-friend” noise like I am? Don’t just tune out—do something. Be the person who brings runners together. Be the person who reminds others of what’s most important in life—and use running as the vehicle to do it. Map out a new route that shows off the best parts of your town, ending at a local eatery. Go on a run to a senior center and visit. Take shelter dogs out for a jog (and adopt one!).

Sure, it’s just running—but in a time when so much feels divisive and disconnected, “just running” can actually be something pretty powerful. You don’t have to solve the world’s problems. But maybe by doing something small, we can make an impact and elevate the message of this running holiday.

How to Lead a Meaningful Running Day Event

You don’t need a budget, sponsors, or a clipboard to bring people together. It can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Here’s how to put together a grassroots running event:

1. Choose a Location and Time

Meet at a local trailhead, a landmark, a coffee shop, or a park. Think: easy access, no stress, low pressure. Pick a time that’s before or after regular working hours. Have a distance in mind and plan your route. And this is key: Don’t wait for someone else to do it. Just decide.

2. Turn Your Attention to Logistics

First, determine the goal of your event.

• If this is a group of 10 or so pals meeting for a casual run, skip to the next step.
• If you plan to do something for the community, whether that’s eating at a local place or volunteering at a shelter, call ahead for reservations or to make sure your group of volunteers can be accommodated.
• If your goal is to get a big group of people together, you could use a political rally as a guide. Check out this checklist from Move On—it’s very helpful as a step-by-step how-to of everything that goes into planning a community event.

3. Start a Text Thread

Reach out to a few runner friends and give them the details of the event. Encourage them to bring a buddy, and assure them everyone, from beginner to Olympian, is welcome. (And for the love of all things holy, do not drop people. No one cares how fast you are in a social run on a day that’s meant to be inclusive. Plan to be the sweeper if you want people to enjoy the event.)

4. Use Word of Mouth

If you want this to be a larger event, tell your local running store about the event. Ask if you could put flyers near their register or on a bulletin board. Use your social media and ask others to share. You don’t need a massive following to get the word out.

5. Forget the Swag, but Maybe Bring Something

People like stuff. And stuff can make it feel like something special, even when it’s just a meet-up. But instead of T-shirts and medals, bring coffee and hot chocolate. Or donuts. Beer and sodas if it’s in the evening. Or sidewalk chalk for fun start/finish lines.

6. Keep It Going

If it’s fun, make it a thing. Monthly or seasonal meetups can grow into something people count on.