Plenty of fun runs in Calgary this summer

By Tori Taylor, April 25 2019 —

This summer, grab a group of friends, a buddy or run solo in any of YYC’s many fun runs. Entering these runs will give you an opportunity to keep your cardio up without getting bored — double win. Calgary has several options varying in length and competitive energy. Some races even have the added benefit of supporting a good cause. Here are a few of the runs taking place this summer.

MEC Calgary Road Race Series:

MEC holds five annual road runs. These offer distances ranging from five kilometres to full marathon. At $20, the entry fee is one of the most affordable in town. While MEC’s races don’t feature any of the kitschy add-ons that some fun runs do, they’re a great way to train for a larger run. Signing up for a race adds a bit of accountability to that 10-kilometre push that you might not otherwise follow through with on a Saturday morning. Races take place in June, July, September and October. More information is available at events.mec.ca.

Stampede Road Race:

This is probably not how you typically think of enjoying the Stampede, but for all you athletic enthusiasts out there, try starting your cowboy shenanigans with a healthy heart-rate rush. There’s even a pancake breakfast included at the end of your run. This race offers five-kilometre, 10-kilometre and half marathon distances. Running for 30–60 minutes and then eating a deep-fried chocolate bar gives you the best of both worlds — fitness and fried food. The race takes place on July 7 and requires registration at stampederoadrace.ca.

The 5km Foam Fest:

This race takes it down a notch and focuses more on the fun that the run. You’ll find unique obstacles like lily pads, a foam chamber, a log roll in foam, a tube crawl through foam — common theme, a lot of foam and you will be doing fun stuff surrounded by it.  This race is actually located in Red Deer on June 22, but if you are a passionate bubble bath aficionado this summer road trip will be well worth it. More information is available at the5kfoamfest.com.

Rugged Maniac:

At the end of July, Spruce Meadows redecorates and turns itself into an obstacle course. It features 25 obstacles spread out over three miles. Rugged Maniac includes a three-storey water slide, towers, fire jumps, a mud tunnel and monkey-bars. If you’d like to take it seriously, you can enter to compete in the morning, but if you just want to burn some calories while having a blast, then get a team together and run in the afternoon for fun. All the information for registration is online at ruggedmaniac.com.

Mega Bounce Run:

Think bouncy castle. Enough said. This five-kilometre race features nine inflatable obstacles. It doesn’t require anything other than a taste for adventure and fun. It’s suitable for all levels of fitness. It will be held on July 29 in Stanley Park. If you are a human that enjoys joy, sign up at megabouncerun.ca.

ULTRA Night Run:

In September, South Glenmore Park will light up for a night run. Participants wear bright costumes, neon face paint and as many glow-in-the-dark things as they can. After the race, there is a celebration in the beer gardens. Your race registration includes an LED headland, an ULTRA Night Run t-shirt, a beer ticket and a post-race snack. All around, this is a sweet way to get sweaty and then smashed — responsibly, of course. Register online at ultranightrun.ca.