All the Benefits You Can Gain from Running Races (Beyond Scoring PRs)

I vaguely remember my first race. At a local park in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where I grew up (not far from Runner’s World HQ), I ran a lap of pavement with a bunch of other tweens I didn’t know. I don’t remember the distance, but what I do remember? The positive feelings. I loved the rush of nerves I got standing at the start, the self-esteem boost I felt from the cheers of my parents watching, and how empowering it felt to cross the finish line—even if I wasn’t anywhere near the leaders. I have participated in countless races since then, from many 5Ks to a few marathons. And while I find purpose in competing against my past self, setting goals, and checking off a training plan to snag a PR a few times a year, I also just enjoy being in the presence of other runners who put fitness and self-improvement through exercise on the list of life’s priorities. [View in Browser]( [Runner's World Logo]( [SHOP]( [RW+ EXCLUSIVE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [All the Benefits You Can Gain from Running Races (Beyond Scoring PRs)]( [All the Benefits You Can Gain from Running Races (Beyond Scoring PRs)]( [All the Benefits You Can Gain from Running Races (Beyond Scoring PRs)]( I vaguely remember my first race. At a local park in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where I grew up (not far from Runner’s World HQ), I ran a lap of pavement with a bunch of other tweens I didn’t know. I don’t remember the distance, but what I do remember? The positive feelings. I loved the rush of nerves I got standing at the start, the self-esteem boost I felt from the cheers of my parents watching, and how empowering it felt to cross the finish line—even if I wasn’t anywhere near the leaders. I have participated in countless races since then, from many 5Ks to a few marathons. And while I find purpose in competing against my past self, setting goals, and checking off a training plan to snag a PR a few times a year, I also just enjoy being in the presence of other runners who put fitness and self-improvement through exercise on the list of life’s priorities. I vaguely remember my first race. At a local park in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where I grew up (not far from Runner’s World HQ), I ran a lap of pavement with a bunch of other tweens I didn’t know. I don’t remember the distance, but what I do remember? The positive feelings. I loved the rush of nerves I got standing at the start, the self-esteem boost I felt from the cheers of my parents watching, and how empowering it felt to cross the finish line—even if I wasn’t anywhere near the leaders. I have participated in countless races since then, from many 5Ks to a few marathons. And while I find purpose in competing against my past self, setting goals, and checking off a training plan to snag a PR a few times a year, I also just enjoy being in the presence of other runners who put fitness and self-improvement through exercise on the list of life’s priorities. [Read More]( [Read More](   [How to Watch the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials]( [How to Watch the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials]( Athletes will compete for a spot on Team USA and a trip to the Paris Olympics. [Read More](     [Who Will Make Team USA in the Women’s 10,000 Meters?]( [Who Will Make Team USA in the Women’s 10,000 Meters?]( Weini Kelati, the Trials champion, is guaranteed a trip to Paris. With Parker Valby and Karissa Schweizer, it gets more complicated. [Read More](   [Results from the 2024 Olympic Track and Field Trials]( [Results from the 2024 Olympic Track and Field Trials]( Cole Hocker took down American record-holder Yared Nuguse in the 1500 meters on Monday night. [Read More](     [Noah Lyles Breaks the Olympic Trials Record in the 200 Meters]( [Noah Lyles Breaks the Olympic Trials Record in the 200 Meters]( Michael Johnson’s Trials record stood since 1996. [Read More](   [Gabby Thomas Wins 200 Meters, While Sha’Carri Richardson Misses Out]( [Gabby Thomas Wins 200 Meters, While Sha’Carri Richardson Misses Out]( That the Olympic bronze medalist won wasn’t a surprise, but Brittany Brown and McKenzie Long claim the other two Olympic spots. [Read More](   [90-Day Transformation Challenge: Abs](   [LiveIntent Logo]( [AdChoices Logo]( [Need Assistance? Contact Us.](mailto:rwmembership@runnersworld.com) Follow Us [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Notice]( | [CA Notice at Collection]( Runner's World is a publication of Hearst Magazines. ©2024 Hearst Magazines, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This email was sent by Hearst Magazines, 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019-3779