Blog
The Racecheck 2024 Awards
Alexandros Tanti • 3 February 2025
With nearly 100,000 reviews collected from participants worldwide, Racecheck is proud to reveal the races that delivered exceptional experiences in 2024.
Running events don’t always have to be serious or competitive. After all, most of us are not professionals and we run for fun!
The running races in this guide all have an exciting twist: something to make your next challenge a little bit different.
Be it getting smothered in colour or sliding down a giant inflatable slide, these races will guarantee you have some fun while keeping active.
Run or Dye
Participants have the opportunity to experience the thrill of the Hindu festival of Holi, also known as the festival of colours.
The race, held at Penshurst Place in Kent, is accessible for all levels of runner, from beginner upwards.
As you run, walk or dance your way around the course, you are covered in safe, eco-friendly, plant-based powder-dye at each kilometre. Your crisp, clean white t-shirt will look more like a stereotypical 90’s technicolour t-shirt at the finish line!
After the race, you’ll find a colour-burst with a DJ playing music for you to celebrate your success.
How good is it? 84 reviewers give an average rating of 3.9/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
How far will you run? 5 km, or 3.1 miles
Check out the event here.
Inflatable
The organisers have added a number of inflatable objects to the race, adding fun challenges while you make your way around the 5km or 10km obstacle course.
10 giant inflatables for negotiation: don’t forget to factor this into your running training program!
These events are held around the UK at a number of locations, so there’s likely to be a race near you.
How good is it? The average rating is 4.6/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
How far will you run? 5 or 10 km: 3.1 or 6.2 miles
Check out the event here.
Use your senses
This race is a fundraising event being held in London and Glasgow.
It is an event which takes running 5km to a new level. ‘Sense stations’ will surprise your senses while you race: you could find yourself experiencing a taste challenge, running into a sea of scented bubbles, or enjoying a harmonious choir.
How good is it? This new event is yet to be reviewed, but we think it will be excellent
How far will you run? 5 km, or 3.1 miles
Check out the event here.
Glow in the park
VOTwo were founded in 2004 and have organised triathlons, duathlons, trail running challenges and running races, open water swims and many more events.
Their Glow in the Park events, however, offer something very different.
This event provides a 5km race with light showers and a party atmosphere. As you run around the course you get more of a glow. You’ll visit the foam zone, the groovy time-tunnel, and get your fair dousing of powder in the UV paint blast zone.
This event is open to all abilities, and you can run, walk, jog or dance.
How good is it? This new event is yet to be reviewed, but we think it will be excellent
How far will you run? 5 km, or 3.1 miles
Check out the event here.
Blackpool Music Run
This promises to be a fun family event. 20 acts and artists play across 9 stages, including a Finishers’ Festival to provide entertainment once the event is complete. This year’s headline act is Union J.
This chip-timed 10k and 2k race offers medals for all finishers and refreshments and they encourage anyone to take part.
How good is it? This new event is yet to be reviewed, but we think it will be excellent
How far will you run? 5 km, or 3.1 miles
Check out the event here.
With the popularity of running and multi-sport events ever increasing, event directors are always looking at innovative ways to keep us engaged and active. The Marathon Boom started in the 1990s and, year on year, has increased in volume. Further into the new Millennium Parkrun created an accessible, free event every week, and further increased the accessibility to all those wanting to take part in some fitness activity.
There is now a step-change from your traditional races and we look forward to seeing which exciting race variations get added to the calendar.
Blog written by Ellie Preece! #visorclub member, triathlete and now ultra runner
You can follow Ellie on twitter @firsthurdle and on her blog
