Are you finding that you’re lacing up your running shoes more often these days? Well, you’re not alone. Fitness tourism is on the rise, as are running-based social events. As a result of this, ballot applications for the 2025 London Marathon have increased by a whopping 45%, while internet searches for ‘marathons Europe’ rose by 245% as people increasingly look for ‘runcations’. But what is the best running holiday destination of them all? Handily, a new line of research aims to answer that question.
Icelandair (Iceland’s top airline) has conducted a study exploring the best destinations abroad for a running holiday, and Vienna is the location which rose to the fore.
How did the study measure the quality of running holiday destinations?
When considering a question like this, there are a lot of subjective matters that may sway a person’s opinion. However, this study aims to be as objective as possible, combining both opinion ratings and cold-hard fact.
The overall ratings for each location are therefore derived from a combination of factors. These include: number of well-reviewed tracks; quality of natural route scenery; accommodation prices; elevation changes, and safety.
The top three best running destinations (according to Icelandair)
Beautiful Vienna emerged with a score of 74/100, handing it the spot at the top of the charts. The Austrian capital boasts over 1,000 available tracks within a 10-mile radius of the city center and the average route review stands at an impressive 4.6 out of 5. Those high average ratings reflect the well-maintained and scenic nature of one of Europe’s gem cities. Somewhat surprisingly, it’s not a place that will bankrupt you either, with the average accommodation cost sitting at a fairly reasonable £72.06 per night.
It’s probably no surprise that the runner-up spot goes to another Alpine region, with Chamonix/Mont Blanc racking up a score of 71/100. Chamonix contains 512 running routes, which will be of particular interest to runners searching for high-altitude training routes. Plus, although there are less options available compared to Vienna, Chamonix/Mont Blanc’s average route rating is marginally higher (4.7). The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) is one of the most prestigious ultra-marathons in the world, so should definitely find a place on your calendar. There is one major downside though: accommodation costs an average of £132.12 per night. Yikes.
Next up, Reykjavik came in third with a score of 66/100, though given the origins of this study, there may be a little bit of home-team bias creeping in. That said, the Icelandic capital does offer 379 running routes with ultra-clean air, and the highest safety rating of all locations in the study. If you’re feeling skeptical though, it’s worth noting that Berlin, Germany and Lisbon, Portugal were next on the leaderboard. Oh, and if you’re stateside, consider Boulder, Colorado, which came in at #7 with a score of 58/100.
How to make the most of a ‘runcation’
Icelandair sought advice from Longevity Founder Lotti Sorrell regarding how to get the most out of any running trip abroad. MF concurs, so here are her main takeaways:
- Sleep is the number one factor which could make or break success and enjoyment of your run, so if you’re planning on completing a race abroad or exploring extensive trails, make sure you take your sleep seriously. You could do this by factoring in a few days to ‘settle in’ and adjust to your new setting and time zone.
- Be mindful about your fuel and stick to some more familiar [food] options whilst embarking on a running holiday. If you are getting involved in international running events, especially longer or more demanding ones, the introduction of new food types could potentially upset your stomach and negatively impact your performance. Sticking to familiar food options ensures that your body receives the necessary nutrients without the risk of digestive issues that can arise from unfamiliar ingredients or preparation methods.
- Have fun with it. Embrace getting lost, finding new paths, chatting to locals; whatever you encounter is all part of the experience. The memories of international running events and training camps are some of the most treasured.
