How To Make a Running Trip Fun For a Non-runner

If you have a non-running partner who is supportive enough to join you for a destination race (not to mention the months of support during your training), make sure you consider the experience from their perspective. Consider these things to make the trip fun for both of you:

Try to book a hotel in a central location

Although as a runner, your priority will be close to the race start or finish, but it may not always be the best spot for someone not running the race. Try to find a middle ground between the race start and the more central and fun parts of the city.

Find restaurants with varied food options

Before the race, runners tend to eat boring, bland meals, but that doesn’t mean your partner has to follow suit. A big part of travelling is trying the local cuisine, so find a restaurant with meals that will satisfy the both of you.

Be clear about your plans before the race

If you are going to do a shake-out run, if you want to check out the race expo, or need to be in bed by a certain time the night before the race, be upfront about it. It will help your partner plan his/her trip around these essential pre-race events.

Look at the race map together

Find spots along the course that are spectator friendly and close to transit stops and shopping areas. No one likes to stand in the middle of nowhere and only to catch a three-second glimpse of the person they came to see.

Figure out where and when to meet after the race

The scene at the finish line will be chaotic. Often there is a designated friends and family meet-up zone where you can arrange to meet at your predicted finish time.

Plan fun events for after the race

Figure out what your partner wants to do and see in the city and make sure you plan fun non-running events for after the race. Running is only one part of a destination race, and for your non-running partner who has joined you on the trip, it is not the most important part.