Those standard 5Ks and 10Ks are great and all, but some races truly level up the fun factor. We’ve scoured calendars ‘round the country (and Canada!) to find five events or series that offer more than your average race experience.

Go Wild

The Race: Run Into the Wild 

The Date: June 8, 2024

The Location: Keenesburg, Colorado 

The Fun Details: Lions and tigers and bears…oh my! This run takes you throughout the Wild Animal Sanctuary, a facility spanning 1,214 acres that houses some 900 rescue animals. Opt for the “Limitless Lion” 5K, the “Tireless Tiger” 10K, or the “Jaguar Jaunt” family fun run/walk. Either way, you’ll snag an intricately designed medal, access to a yummy post-race brunch, and views of animals along the way.

 

Race the Tide

The Race: Not Since Moses 

The Date: August 24, 2024

The Location: Nova Scotia, Canada 

The Fun Details: There’s no parting of the Red Sea here, but there is low tide in the Bay of Fundy, exposing the ocean floor long enough to get in a 5K or 10K. Surrounded by the soaring cliffs of Nova Scotia, the views are stunning enough to perhaps make you forget about the soggy (and muddy) surface underfoot.

Bounce Back

The Race: Big Bounce Run

The Date: Varies by location, between May and September 

The Location: North Carolina, Maine, Ohio, and New Jersey 

The Fun Details: Why just run when you can bounce, too? Billed the “largest inflatable race in the U.S.,” this event features a 1.5-mile loop punctuated by bouncy obstacles (you can do 1, 2, 3, or 4 loops). Totally centered around fun, the event does not time participants—or enforce a time cut-off, so you can happily bounce at your own pace.

Into the Night

The Race: Insomniac Night Runs 

The Date: Throughout the summer, from April to September

The Location: Arizona 

The Fun Details: This race series encourages participants to “seize the night” by traversing the trails outside Phoenix after sundown. Distances range from 5 kilometers to 75 kilometers, so depending on your chosen distance, you could be in for a long but exhilarating evening.