Super slime, mud, and Technicolor powder—the way we race is certainly changing. Traditional 5Ks and full and half-marathons remain a staple for serious runners, but the popularity of messier, muddier obstacle courses has certainly intrigued those of us a bit less athletically inclined. This list of summer endurance races—including everything from traditional races to more, er, colorful courses—is packed with physical challenges and fun.
EIF/Revlon Walk for Women
New York, NY/May 4/2.7 miles/$35-$45/revlon walk.org
Starting in Times Square and ending in Central Park, this walk/run through the New York City streets is a chance for camaraderie among participants supporting the fight against women’s cancers.
The North Face Endurance Challenge
Bear Mountain, NY/May 4, 5/3.1 miles (5K) to 50 miles/$50-$125/thenorthface.com
This hardy test for runners has courses for many levels, taking participants on a variety of distances through the rugged landscape of the Catskill Mountains. There are eight different races throughout the weekend from a 50-mile trail race to a kids’ 1K run.
NYCRuns Firecracker 5 & 10K
Roosevelt Island, NY/July 4/ 3.1 miles, 6.2 miles/$25-$40/nycruns.com
This holiday race, put on by NYCRuns, goes through scenic Roosevelt Island and will give runners plenty of time to cool off before relaxing to watch Independence Day fireworks light up the sky.
Superhero Scramble
Tuxedo Park, NY/July 20/4+ miles/$73-$103/superheroscramble.com
Labeled as a race adventure, the Superhero Scramble is a charger with four-plus miles of wicked terrain, more than 20 obstacles, and “super slime.” Obstacles include major water crossings, “The Beast,” and “X-Treme Rock Walls.”
Dirty Girl Mud Run
New York, NY/August 3/3.1 miles/$75-$100/go dirtygirl.com
This un-timed course designed by an ex-Army Ranger is packed with 11 obstacles with names like H2OMG and PMS (Pretty Muddy Stuff). This challenge—designed for for women—will make participants run, walk, climb, and crawl. There are 250 complimentary entry slots for cancer survivors.
The Color Run
Brooklyn, NY/September 7, 8/3.1 miles/$60-$65/thecolorrun.com
The Color Run is less about speed and more about enjoying a color-crazy day with friends and family. Participants can walk, run, or stroll, but must wear white. Throughout the race, they are blitzed with colored powder—100-percent natural and safe. It makes for a fun and brightly colored finish.
Yonkers Marathon & Half-Marathon
Yonkers/September 29/26.2 miles (marathon), 13.1 miles (half marathon)/$50/theyonkersmarathon.com
Touted as the second oldest marathon in the world, this race begins along the Hudson River in downtown Yonkers and spans a tough and hilly course through Yonkers and Hastings-on-Hudson.
