It’s almost sunset, and the waterfront Műegyetem Wharf is just beginning to stir. The autumn heat, heavy as a weighted blanket, lingers over Budapest, yet a peculiar anticipation hangs in the air as hundreds of people gather for the Generali Night Run Budapest in late August.
The 13-mile route winds through the Hungarian capital’s heart, taking runners up a 100-meter hill, past the towering Buda Castle, beneath the grand arches of the Chain Bridge, and along the lower embankment, where the illuminated Parliament, Margaret Bridge, and echoing Tunnel unfold like a moving postcard. As the sun bleeds into the Danube, the rhythmic pulse of live bands and the roar of spectators transform the city into a festival of motion and adrenaline, with the night sky as a dramatic backdrop.
Distance running has long been a benchmark of fitness, but it’s also becoming a fascinating way for travelers to explore new destinations.
“I barely prepared—actually, I didn’t run for a month due to an ankle injury,” says Drew Loynes, a Londoner who joined the night run after quitting his tech job last year to travel the world. “I was in places where it was too hot to run or where the roads didn’t feel safe. But running that half marathon in Budapest was an incredible experience and the city easily lends itself to casual running.”
Running vacations are on the rise, as travelers seek out new ways to explore destinations. Photograph Courtesy Runcation Travel/Camille Matonis
The rise of workout vacations
Loynes’ story reflects a growing trend—travelers are increasingly blending fitness with exploration. Hospitality company Accor predicts that athletic adventures will be one of 2025’s biggest travel trends, noting a 50 percent rise in searches for “workout holidays” over the past year. As more people seek to achieve personal health goals, recreational sports are becoming an integral part of travel plans.
With run clubs surging in popularity last year, running holidays seem like the natural next step. According to Strava’s 2024 Year in Sport report, global participation in running clubs jumped by 59 percent in 2024. This momentum has prompted companies like Contiki to introduce run club trips later this summer. Designed for 18- to 35-year-olds, their flagship itinerary offers a chance to explore up to 16 European destinations—taking in iconic sites such as the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum—on foot while fostering social connections in a club-style format.
“Run clubs represent more than a fitness trend for our audience, they’re a way to connect, explore and build community in an increasingly fragmented, online world,” says Contiki chief marketing officer Lottie Norman. “The appetite for active trips is increasing as bookings on our active itineraries surged 105 percent from 2023 to 2024, with group runs emerging as trip highlights.”
Travelers enjoy hut-to-hut running through the Dolomites. Photograph Courtesy Runcation Travel/Jaime Cartales
The allure of nature
Urban landscapes aren’t the only draw, rugged nature is just as enticing. For Liz Gill, founder of Runcation Travel—a U.S.-based adventure outfit offering guided and self-guided running retreats across Europe and the Americas—hut-to-hut running in the Dolomites in 2016 was a transformative experience.
“It was my biggest week in the mountains at that point,” says the California native, who covered 80 miles and 7,620 meters of elevation gain over seven days.
The following year, Gill introduced the itinerary to her running network, and it remains one of Runcation’s most popular offerings—alongside the alpine landscapes of Mammoth Lakes, a renowned training ground for marathoners on the fringes of Yosemite National Park, and the wild expanses of Argentinian Patagonia; the latter has 15 times the waitlist this year than in winter 2024.
Some of Gill’s most memorable runs have stemmed from personal travels in Cuba’s Viñales region, known for its tobacco farms, and Kenya’s Iten, an unchallenged epicenter of distance running.
“In Viñales, you can jog along rolling dirt roads and still meet locals who’ll happily point you to farms where you can buy a coffee and watch the sunrise,” she says. “Iten, on the other hand, is all about the community—Olympians and aspiring runners training side by side. I’d head out at 6 a.m. on a Thursday, and the roads would already be buzzing. You could jump into a pack, no matter your level, and join in; one week it might be a fartlek workout, the next something entirely different.”
(Related: Here are 5 places with the most incredible running trails in the world)
People are joining running clubs for the exercise and the sense of community. Photograph by Shelby Tauber, The New York Times/Redux
Finding common ground with strangers
Socializing is a major draw for those opting for running holidays. “I love these trips because they get me out of the city and keep me on my toes (literally) in some of the most beautiful places in the world,” says Megha Doshi, a product marketing professional who has joined three of Runcation Travel’s trips—to the Dolomites, Patagonia, and Chamonix.
“Coordinating something like this with friends is nearly impossible—the logistics alone, not to mention finding people who want to explore new places on foot.”
While running is often a solitary activity, those who do it in groups tend to get much more out of the experience—both socially and emotionally. Still, some apprehension is natural.
“It’s human nature to be intimidated by something new, but I’d encourage people to give it a try,” says Gill. “If you live somewhere flat and see an itinerary in the mountains, don’t assume you can’t do it. Reach out for tips, research how to prepare—just because it’s not part of your daily routine doesn’t mean it’s out of reach.”
Strava’s 2024 Year in Sport report notes that global participation in running clubs jumped by 59 percent in 2024. Photograph Courtesy Runcation Travel
Physiological benefits
“Irrespective of travel, running is known to boost cardiovascular and joint health, aid fat loss, improve energy levels, and enhance bone density—potentially preventing osteopenia and osteoporosis,” says doctor Kruti Khemani, an AHPRA-registered sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapist and founder of Mumbai-based Continuum Physiotherapy and Rehab LLP. “It can also improve sleep quality and help you adjust to new time zones faster, easing jet lag.”
Research also shows a strong link between running and mental well-being, with some individuals experiencing a “runner’s high”—a short-lived but intense feeling of euphoria.
According to a study by David J. Linden, a neuroscience professor at Johns Hopkins University, this post-run bliss is likely due to endocannabinoids, natural compounds in the body similar to cannabis. Unlike endorphins, endocannabinoids cross the blood-brain barrier, promoting relaxation, reduced anxiety, and an overall sense of calm. Other benefits include improved focus, memory, and mood elevation.
(Related: The brain has a secret survival trick to endure a marathon)
How to prepare
“Physical health benefits don’t come overnight, so preparation is key,” advises Khemani. If you’re transitioning from running on flat pavements to uneven trails, slopes or rocky surfaces, share the details with a trainer, physiotherapist, or coach to tailor your training. If self-training, start at least six-to-eight weeks in advance, incorporating gym work to strengthen key muscles.
Running long distances increases the risk of repetitive stress injuries (RSI) and acute issues like ankle or ligament strains, especially on unfamiliar terrain. Uphill and downhill stretches can strain the knees, so pacing is crucial. “If unexpected challenges arise, adjust your pace to allow for recovery. Don’t treat it like a marathon,” says Khemani. Warm up, stretch before and after runs, stay hydrated, and carry electrolytes to prevent cramps.
Footwear matters—don’t switch shoes, terrain or distance last minute, or risk injury. Nutrition also plays a role: Hydrate regularly, opt for water and nutrient-rich foods, and avoid dehydrants like alcohol, caffeine, and greasy meals before the runs. “Go low on carbs and high on protein to fuel your runs effectively,” says Khemani.
Gill notes that, compared to other sports or activities, runners love to lounge. Having a comfortable space to relax or access to a massage can make a big difference.
(Related: The definitive list of running shoes for every kind of runner, according to pros)