Valletta, Malta
In town for a conference, and doubt I'll ever be back. I never take a phone with me, but I knew I wanted to be able to capture shots of such a historic place. Pretty slow, but certainly worth all the stops and starts. —Rick S.
Your ‘Run of the Year’ Stories and Photos 2023
Thank you for your contributions to the 2023 ‘Run of the Year’! What a wonderful collection of photos and inspirational stories. Below is a slideshow put together by our senior editor, Kelsey Perrett. Mouse over the photo to show the side arrows which allow you to advance forward or backward. On mobile, they can be viewed in portrait or landscape mode.
Valletta, Malta
Oakland Bay Bridge, San Francisco, CA
Oakland Bay Bridge, San Francisco, CA
Unique, near the cars but fully separated. Views to the south of SF Bay. Not many people, bikes, etc. Not as noisy as you would think. Easy parking with a round trip route of 6m from parking lot, but can easily stretch to 9+ miles. —Stephen S.
Islamorada 10k, FL
Islamorada 10k, FL
I won my first race ever! Overall Female Winner in the 10k. —Heather W.
Doha, Qatar
NYC Marathon
NYC Marathon
Despite a lingering injury and lack of training, extremely proud that I ran this tough marathon full of hills in a great time. —Aditya
Logan, UT
Logan, UT
A marathon PB in amazing scenery! —Laura R.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park
Early run at sunrise along the carriage roads in the park without all the crowds. It was tough getting up so early but so rewarding to see the first sun rays of the day from the top. —Sebastien M.
Saint Cyr sur Mer, Provence
Saint Cyr sur Mer, Provence
It was a gorgeous refreshing early morning trail run just west of Cassis. The rising sun was giving all its beauty and calm warmth to the quiet nature. —Sebastien M.
Disney World
Encinitas, CA
Encinitas, CA
The perfect beach run. Firm sand, gorgeous light. —Mark Lowenstein, Chief Running Officer
Argentina
Argentina
The sunrise. I am a lover of runner sunrises. —Julieta
Portland, Victoria, Australia
Portland, Victoria, Australia
Sunsets on the Great South West Walk. —Ben
Annual Saukville Scare 5K
Annual Saukville Scare 5K
Because was very funny running in costumes or cosplay, everyone was wearing something different. —Omar M.
Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
First time I ran the Chicago Marathon. First marathon that was not a Marine Corp Marathon (I’ve run several of them and loved them all!). My husband and kids traveled with me and it was the first time we ever visited Chicago! —Patricia T.
Ridgewood, NJ
Ridgewood, NJ
My (new for 2023) local 16 KM / 10 mile loop. A bit of a climb at the end, but worth if for the view of Manhattan! —Brian M.
Birmingham, UK
Birmingham, UK
My final run in Birmingham before returning home. I spent 3 months running the canal routes of the city, with its mix of industrial grittiness and countryside charm. —Tanya J.
Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia
Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia
Running through the lush Borneo jungle with incredible hills, spectacular views, monkeys, roosters, and friendly dogs along the way. —Joylin N.
Isla Vista, CA
Isla Vista, CA
Exploring the windswept trails of Elwood Bluffs, the butterfly preserve, and the beach at sunset. —Kelsey P.
Suva, Fiji
Suva, Fiji
It was Fiji! Having wanted to go to the South Pacific for decades, I was so lucky to go there for work. This beautiful tree was on my morning (or evening) run along the well-maintained shore path. —Elizabeth
Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden
Full circuit (5.8 miles) of Kungsholmen, one of Stockholm's major islands. Mainly residential, with parks and waterfront apartments. Beautiful late afternoon light and people swimming in the harbor. —Jennifer W.
Newport News, VA
Newport News, VA
After 12 years of multiple attempts, I finally qualified for the Boston Marathon at age 54! This was a finish line pic when I BQd in March 2023. I thought they perfectly captured the emotion. —Tia P.
Nashville, TN
Central Park, NYC
Central Park, NYC
A gorgeous crisp fall day on the first of many loops around Central Park for my solo ultra 60 @ 60 (60km on my 60th birthday). Everyone should do one! —Erin C.
Walnut Creek, CA
Walnut Creek, CA
Running with friends always makes the miles go faster. —Melanie D.
Iceland
Iceland
We were on a family trip and I snuck out one early foggy morning to run in this little town of Hofn we were staying in for the night. —Sue S.
Desa Park City, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Desa Park City, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The greenery is beautiful, There is also a route surrounding a scenic lake. People of all ages walking/running makes the place come alive. I shared this run with my two boys, which made it more special. —ST
Ocean Parkway Mixed Use Path, Babylon, NY
Ocean Parkway Mixed Use Path, Babylon, NY
My husband had open heart surgery in August, with some complications, and was hospitalized for weeks. I should have run to keep myself sane, but spent every waking hour at his bedside. When he finally got home after a stint in rehab and I felt he needed some alone time to begin feeling normal, I headed out for a run on my favorite path along the Great South Bay. It wasn’t the easiest run or the fastest, but it brought a sense of peace. I’m back at it on the regular now, my beloved is almost back to full health, and I’m grateful for every day we get to spend together. —Karen B.
Istanbul Marathon
Istanbul Marathon
To be able to run across the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul is amazing! (It spans the Bosphorus Strait and connects Europe and Asia). —Brian M.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA
Was on a family vacation and we decided to run across the bridge on a whim. I didn’t have on my running shoes or compression socks or even a hat, but loved every windy exhilarating minute of it! —Peter C.
Jangano, Mozambique
Jangano, Mozambique
The Ultra Africa Race was comprised of five stages totaling 220 km. Three of the stages were ultra marathons. At age 74 I was by far the oldest guy in the race. We had to carry all our supplies for the five days of the event. The organizers provided water, medical and tents. We had to carry everything else. My pack weighed about 30 pounds. Mozambique was the 204th country in which I have run a marathon or ultra marathon. I leave later this month to run a marathon in Islamabad Pakistan. —Brent W.
Dublin Marathon
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh, NC
I started training for my first marathon in June 2023. It was during a year my partner was getting sober — a year of a lot of healing, running in the fresh air, reaching milestones, setting records we’d never thought we’d reach. Unfortunately, the weekend I was set to run that marathon (City of Oaks, my first full marathon and his first 1/2), he relapsed. I was heartbroken and thought "how can I possibly run this now?" I did end up running it, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, I ran that race by myself with a broken heart but with lots of hope.
Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA
Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA
My first 5K, post heart attack at a run in April, and I spotted a woman holding a sign that said, “Run with All Your Heart!” I’m a 44 year long distance runner. This is the hardest comeback ever! —Linda S.
Brasov Running Festival, Romania
Brasov Running Festival, Romania
10 weeks before the Brasov Running Festival Trunsylvania 10k I went through a major surgical intervention on the abdomen (total hysterectomy). That run was about resilience, hope, the joy of running, and keeping faith in me. My motto was: "From hospital to the running festival. 10 weeks before 10km. Owning my story!” —Dumitra
Oamaru, New Zealand
Oamaru, New Zealand
On an early morning run, I bellied up to a rail fence, eyes on the far shore as I mentally framed up a pretty picture of the harbor. I nearly jumped out of my shoes when this guy went BARK literally at my feet. After I recovered my composure I snapped this instead, and chuckled all the way home. —Mark M.
Dublin City to Howth
Dublin City to Howth
Nice to see the dawn of a new day while running! —Brian M.
Berlin: The East Side Gallery
Berlin: The East Side Gallery
I visited East Berlin DDR in 1987. I came back in 1989 to help knock down the wall. It was amazing to be there in 2023 and be able to run on both side of the wall! —Brian M.
Botanical Garden Batumi, Georgia
Botanical Garden Batumi, Georgia
First experience of trail racing on the steep forest slopes of the botanical garden. —Eduard
Colonial National Historic Park, VA
Colonial National Historic Park, VA
The Historic Tour Route is a great 5-6 mile loop through Revolutionary War battlefields. The best part is that it is closed to vehicular traffic until mid-morning making it a runner’s paradise. It’s beautiful in all seasons but this mid-November run was especially scenic. —Rene A.
Columbus, OH
Columbus, OH
Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon — early start with thousands of friends. —Patrick L.
Negev Desert
Negev Desert
An amazing scene. —Rami B.
Lake Louise, Alberta
Lake Louise, Alberta
A walking/running track around a frozen Lake Louise. —Mark Lowenstein, Chief Running Officer
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
High winds, rain, and cold, leading to a finish at the Lake Michigan beach in Empire, MI. So hard, so beautiful, just like the Great Lakes. —Jesse S.
Cascade, MT
Cascade, MT
Last run of 2023. Big Sky Montana, in Cascade. —Steve M.
Paris, France
Paris, France
Amazing place to start a race, great signage, lovely route with city and trails. —Jo-Anne
Sibiu, Romania
Sibiu, Romania
My now-fiancé and I did this run the morning of the day I proposed! The run was easy but my HR was through the roof the whole time thinking about the rest of the day! —Declan
Crete, Greece
Crete, Greece
This was a 10k race that ran along the sea port of Chania. It seemed like I was the only non Greek competing. I was at the starting line in a sea of chatter (it was all Greek to me 😁) I was a part of their community, not an outside tourist looking in. What a beautiful run in a place where running competitions began! —Connie R.
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth, TX
It was my first time doing the Wonder Woman 10K and at the time was my longest run. —Thomas O.
Irving, TX
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Cocotal Golf & Country Club: Cooler temperatures (around 70F/21C) created ground fog early in the morning around the trails of this scenic 27-hole course. —Wayne C.
Pompano Beach, FL
Pompano Beach, FL
It was my very own "Tentacle Ten K" run on the beachfront in Pompano Beach, Florida. It was one week before Halloween and I dressed as my grandson's favorite Disney character, Ursula. The sky was ominous and just completed the villain vibe! —Jen G.
Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales
Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales
Brecon Beacons in Wales. The course and conditions were brutal. Freezing rain at the beginning, blistering hot sun from half way. 37 miles, 8,000 ft of climbing across the Black Mountains in Wales one the most beautiful but unforgiving places in the world where the SAS train. I came 5th overall and 1st place veteran. It took every last bit of strength both physically and mentally to cross the line. I still get emotionally now when I think about that run. Truly life changing. —Justin M.
Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales
Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales
Richmond, Ontario
Richmond, Ontario
The Richmond Road Race is the first race of the year and my partner and I participate annually. The weather conditions are always a surprise but the event is alwasy well attended with the promise of free beer and chili ande socializing post run. I was happy to place first in my new age category, 65-70 yrs. —Lydia B.
Estero, Florida
Spearfish Canyon, SD
Spearfish Canyon, SD
Beautiful view top of the spearfish canyon to start the Spearfish to Sundance marathon, my 12th marathon. —James R.
Grimentz, Switzerland
Grimentz, Switzerland
Sunset. Little cold. Wonderful view, ups and downs, narrow streets. In short, the sum of a little bit of everything ends in a wonderful run. —Pablo M.
Zion National Park
9-11 Heroes Run
9-11 Heroes Run
Coming back from a knee injury in June. Finished 2/9 in 60+ age group. —John R.
Hong Kong Peak Run
Hydra Island, Greece
Hydra Island, Greece
The breathtaking view….the blue of the sea…the silence of the mountain….a life time experience! —Nondas P.
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach, CA
This was the day after the Long Beach half marathon that I had raced. A rare early autumn fog had rolled in, making this a post-apocolatypic feel to it. — Paul T.
Dublin Marathon
Dublin Marathon
Last 400-800m of Dublin marathon bleed for that race and always thinking of my parents 🙏 — Seamus A.
Sapporo, Japan
Sapporo, Japan
Sapporo 'Runseeing Tour' —Mark Lowenstein, Chief Running Officer
Paris, France
Paris, France
It was a stunning early morning 13km run through the streets of Paris. Running to many well known tourist attractions. --Juanne V.
Thessaloniki, Greece
Thessaloniki, Greece
Last run of 2023 with friends. --Chris K.
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