Run of the Year 2025 Slideshow
Memorable Runs Submitted by the Great Runs Community
There are roughly 50 slides, separated into two sections:
1. Places
2. Achievements
Producer: Kelsey Perrett, Editor-at-Large, Great Runs
Your ‘Run of the Year’ Stories and Photos 2025
Here is our annual ‘Run of the Year’ slideshow! Members of the Great Runs community submitted their photos and captions of a memorable running experience from 2025. The 50+ slides are divided into two sections:
- Special places you’ve run, featuring runs in gorgeous scenery from around the world.
- Achievements, with great photos of the many road races and other special events enjoyed by the GR community.
Mouse over the photo to show the side arrows which allow you to advance forward or backward. Best viewed on a PC! On mobile, they can be viewed in portrait or landscape mode.
Run of the Year 2025 Slideshow
Places
Places
Denmark to Sweden
Denmark to Sweden
Running a Half Marathon across the Øresund Bridge from Denmark to Sweden. –Astrid H.G.
From Denmark to Sweden
–Astrid H.G.
Amami Oshima, Japan
Amami Oshima, Japan
Hills repeats along this stunning ocean view mountain road with absolutely no traffic, just nature all around me! –Joylin N.
Hastings, Barbados
Hastings, Barbados
Beautiful location in Barbados. It started to rain during my run, which felt good. Soon after I was rewarded with a beautiful double rainbow! –Sandra G.
Along Cattlewash, Barbados
Along Cattlewash, Barbados
I was supposed to run the Run Barbados 5km but our vacation was postponed because my son needed surgery. My family finally made it to Barbados and I ran along the ocean in Cattlewash, dedicating my run to my son, who is recovering well from his sports injury but can’t yet run. The beautiful location is a memorable one! –Sandra G.
Great Wall, China
Great Wall, China
I was the race official for the Great Wall Marathon and this run was as sweeper for the race. –Lena, Go! Running Tours
Great Wall, China
–Lena, Go! Running Tours
Seoul, South Korea
Seoul, South Korea
Finished up the greatruns.com Cheonggyecheon Stream route in Seoul, South Korea and stumbled upon the Marvel 10K Run. –David T.
Yangshuo County, Guilin, Guangxi, China
Yangshuo County, Guilin, Guangxi, China
Last day in Guilin China, soaking in the dramatic Karst mountain landscapes on the Fuli Bridge over the Yulong River. –David T.
Doolin, Killilagh, Ireland
Doolin, Killilagh, Ireland
Early morning venture out on a cliffside trail, it felt like I had gone back in time to another era. –Howard L.
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Gently rolling singletrack with gorgeous volcano views, some jungle trail running, ending with a dip in a waterfall pool. –Jana G.
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
The sunrise, the crisp cold morning and being surrounded by historic buildings and water. –Nienke G.
White Cliffs of Dover
White Cliffs of Dover
Had been living in Shanghai for 13 years. This was my first long run back in England and got to see the beauty of where I was from with new eyes. –Rory G.
Rome, Italy
Rome, Italy
This run took place on December 31, 2025, the final morning of our family’s vacation and the final day of the year. Rome has slowly become a place that feels like a second home to us, a city that holds us with a sense of familiarity and calm. Being here together brings a kind of peace that is hard to name but easy to feel.
Running through the quiet streets that morning felt like a moment of gathering. The year behind us, the journey home ahead, and the simple gratitude of being present with my family in a place that gives us room to breathe. The winter light softened the ancient stone, the sky opened in gentle color, and everything felt briefly aligned. It was a pause filled with meaning, a closing that felt like a blessing, and a reminder of how deeply place, movement, and togetherness can steady the soul. –Yali S.
Rome, Italy
–Yali S.
Water of Leith Path, Balerno to Leith
Water of Leith Path, Balerno to Leith
A beautiful multi faceted path that takes in the rural outskirts of Edinburgh and then the city and heads to the sea in Leith. 22k, so nearly a half marathon. –Leonie W.
Christianshavn and Freetown Christiana, Copenhagen Denmark
Christianshavn and Freetown Christiana, Copenhagen Denmark
This decorative mirror in someone’s yard epitomizes the vibe of this funky neighborhood. And gave me fun food for thought on my run. I decided I wasn’t running from something, but instead towards someone—God in my case. –Julie C.
Christianshavn and Freetown Christiana, Copenhagen Denmark
–Julie C.
Jennings State Forest, Middleburg, FL
Jennings State Forest, Middleburg, FL
I’d been slacking off but had signed up for the Operation Outdoor Freedom trail race that makes it possible for injured veterans to experience the trails in this beautiful state park. I drove out there not knowing whether I’d actually run it or just stay at the start/finish and help out with getting the fuel and support they needed for the marathon, half marathon and ultra portion of the race. There were plenty of other volunteers so I ran the 8K, and it was a wonderful experience. Beautiful well groomed trails, a little more elevation than you’d expect for Florida, and the best RD team around. –Karen B.L.
Jennings State Forest, Middleburg, FL
–Karen B.L.
Preikestolen, Norway
Preikestolen, Norway
A fantastic place for hike or trail running. Winter is the best period because there are no tourists. –Silvia R.
Casa de Campo, Madrid
Casa de Campo, Madrid
Starting from the buzzing city center, along nice biking lanes and ending in a totally different quiet world. –Silvia L.
Berg Lake Trail, Mount Robson Provincial Park, Canada
Berg Lake Trail, Mount Robson Provincial Park, Canada
We were 6 runners from Denmark on a week long trail running trip in Canadian Rockies. This was special, we had a heli-drop in the morning, and then ran 24k of beautiful trail back out, in amazing nature and perfect weather. –Troels W.
Rideau Canal, Ottawa, Ontario
Rideau Canal, Ottawa, Ontario
Winter runs are always more fun with our weekly running club. –Lydia B.
Courtenay, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Courtenay, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
My partner and I participated in a few Parkruns while camping across Canada this summer. A great way to meet the locals in different communities. –Lydia B.
Old San Juan
Old San Juan
It has breathtaking view of the ocean and of historic architecture. Hope people enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed the view. –Ivelisse H.R.
Acadia National Park, ME
Acadia National Park, ME
I’ve ridden bicycles on the carriage trails at Acadia National Park in Maine for years, but 2026 was my first time running on them. The photo is from the Eagle Lake loop, a six-mile run, mostly wooded, with only a few hundred feet of elevation gain. –Gary M.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park
First half I ran with my fiancée, amazing views, and I placed 1st in my age group. Great day! –Brett
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Crisp winter new years day and the silent sounds of Lake Bled. –James C.
Knowlton, Quebec
Knowlton, Quebec
Beautiful run in fresh snow along Lac Brome in the Eastern Townships. –Mark L.
Achievements
Achievements
Northeast CT
Lyon, France
New York, NY
New York, NY
My 25th Marathon and a PB of 3:32 at age 58 on the iconic NY Marathon. I put in 6 months of training and it paid off. –Shaun S.
Paris, France
Paris, France
My daughter and I ran the Paris Run For All in April 2025. It was the most beautiful crisp morning for a run. –Juanne
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo, Japan
First major for me, and I have wanted to go to Japan since 10th grade (I was 63 when I ran it). –Craig G.
Istanbul Marathon, Turkey
Istanbul Marathon, Turkey
Got to go back to Istanbul after running 2 marathons there the year before as part of 777. But this time I actually got to see Istanbul! Lovely to join at the end with my friend Ahmed who did 777 this year. Istanbul is an amazing city for running. –Angie W.
Barbados
Barbados
I've been injured most of the year and had to pull out of all my races. I'd planned to do the Barbados Marathon but injury prevented this. I was determined to do something having gone all that way from Wigan so 10k it was! –Sharon M.
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa
All dressed, numbers pinned on, and pockets loaded with gels, my cousin and I were heading out the door to the start of the Cape Town Marathon 2025, which was just down the road from where we were staying. Then our phones beeped simultaneously: due to extremely high overnight winds, some of the race infrastructure had been compromised and for safety concerns, the race was cancelled!
We couldn't believe it! As he had flown in to run, and we were all dressed anyway, we decided to do
a 21km run and off we went. It was a beautiful morning and a beautiful run - and as we ran, more and more other runners, also in their race numbers, had had the same thought, and joined us on the road. Realizing what was happening, kind strangers stepped in, families set up impromptu water tables, people handed out snacks along the way, and others clapped and cheered us on. As one poster said: 'No Marathon, No Problem'! In the end my cousin and I ran on, and actually completed the full marathon distance, feeling very proud of ourselves, but more so, of the kindness of the people of Cape Town who turned a bitterly disappointing start to the day to honestly, one of the most heartwarming, memorable and best days of my life! –Belinda G.
Cape Town, South Africa
–Belinda G.
Malaysia
SeaWorld, San Diego, CA
SeaWorld, San Diego, CA
It was a Halloween run, only a 5K but lots of costumes and the whales, dolphins, sea lions came out to greet us as we ran through the park early morning. –Bonnie C.
Ann Morrison Park, Boise, ID
Germantown, TN
Germantown, TN
First race back from a 2024 pinched nerve problem. –Robert P.
Bare Ranch, Austin, TX
Bare Ranch, Austin, TX
My first Last Man Standing and what an experience it was. –Bryan S.
Royal Parks Half Marathon, London
Royal Parks Half Marathon, London
Beautiful day, fantastic crowd, lovely marshals, t-shirt, wooden medal, and most of all my brilliant, wonderful, supportive and encouraging guide Cally!
Maratona de Porto Alegre
Maratona de Porto Alegre
Concluir o objetivo de 5 maratonas e atravessar o Mercado Público correndo. (Crossing the Public Market, completing the goal of running 5 marathons). –Marcus V.S.
Relay for Life, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Relay for Life, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
All the reasons to be a very memorable one: very close to heart, for a very noble cause, cancer awareness and fund raising, with the Queen, the Royal patron, presiding over the run. –Prem A.L.
Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam
Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam
On November 22, 2025, we ran the half marathon at the Halong Bay Heritage Marathon. It was a great experience. It was our first trip to Vietnam. When planning the trip, it was more or less a coincidence that we discovered the race. Running in this setting sounded like a dream. At the same time, it was also our first official half marathon that we ran together as a couple. So in every respect, an unforgettable event. –Henning & Jördis
Halong Bay, Vietnam
–Henning & Jördis
From Firenze to Faenza 100km
From Firenze to Faenza 100km
The 100 Kilometers of the Passatore is one of the oldest and most prestigious races in Italy, and taking part in it had been a dream of mine for years. I was lucky enough to make that dream come true last year, and beyond the immense satisfaction of finishing the race, what truly made it special was the incredible support I received.
My friend Javier and my wonderful partner Elena followed me by car along the course, meeting me at several strategic points. Not only that: during the final 20 kilometers, they also ran alongside me, taking turns. Sharing those last kilometers together, step by step, was simply beautiful. –Alessandro F.
From Firenze to Faenza 100km
–Alessandro F.
Disneyland, CA
Disneyland, CA
This lady stole my photo place! I never smile and was ready and she leaped in front of me and stole my glory. –Gina F.
Honolulu Marathon, Honolulu, HI
Honolulu Marathon, Honolulu, HI
I ran my first marathon 12/14/25 in Honolulu. It’s a challenging course, but it was one of the best experiences I’ve had in my running career so far!
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