I had never been to France, but I saw enough on TV to anticipate the clichés: rows of aristocratic, cream-colored buildings; corner cafés where chic locals sipped coffee and ate flaky croissants; and, of course, the Eiffel Tower sparkling exactly as the rom-coms promised.
Walking through any part of the often-romanticized country, one can easily soak in these picturesque sights. But running through it, I was told, would be a completely different experience. A full-body one. That alone was enough to convince me to skip the usual itinerary of museums and cafés and instead, arrive in France with just one thing on the agenda: to run.
This is what the wellness-obsessed have deemed a “run-cation.” For some, run-cations include bucket-list destination races like the Tokyo Marathon or the Disney World Half Marathon. For others, they’re a getaway where more relaxed, leisurely runs anchor the itinerary—a way to explore instead of relying on buses, taxis, or marathon-level speed.
Kristen Hislop, a triathlon coach and personal trainer from New York, on her “runcation” at Zion National Park.Courtesy of Kristen Hislop
This pivot towards active tourism speaks to a broader shift in how we’re redefining what downtime should look like: According to Accor, Europe’s largest hospitality group, “athletic adventures” are one of this year’s fastest-growing travel trends—a reflection, perhaps, of a culture increasingly obsessed with longevity, wellness, and self-optimization. Time off is no longer just about doing nothing. Now travelers want to step away from their daily grind, but also improve. To indulge and still be productive, which helps to explain the rise of international cycling tours, luxe tennis boot camps, and tropical wellness retreats that pair sunrise yoga with cold plunges.
But running, in particular, seems to have struck a chord. This may not come as a huge surprise: Recently, the sport has exploded into a full-on cultural movement: Platforms like Strava have turned regular morning jogs into collective experiences, fostering virtual support, social validation, and a sense of community. Meanwhile, carbon-plate sneakers, high-tech smartwatches, and UV-protection sunglasses aren’t just about performance anymore—they’ve become style statements and modern markers of what’s “in.” Some have even described run clubs as “the new dating apps,” a space to organically meet hot, athletic singles while getting a workout in.
While the rise of the “everyday” runner might seem sudden, the idea of running for reasons beyond fitness isn’t new. In fact, it goes back to 1868, if not earlier, when the first known run club, Thames Hare and Hound, was founded in London. At a time when running communities were largely reserved for professionals, Thames Hare and Hound openly welcomed amateurs, encouraging members to join for the love of the sport, camaraderie, or mental clarity rather than competition—an ethos that has endured since. Today, run clubs continue to double as social spaces, while marathons—once reserved for elites—now draw casual participants looking to challenge themselves (or, in some cases, quell a quarter-life crisis). The “run-cation” is the latest example of how running has evolved from a sport into a lifestyle.