If travel and athletic adventure are on your to-do list, give these 16 events a looksy!
Wanderlust yoga festival, located in either Snoeshow, West Virginia; Stratton, Vermont; or Squaw Valley, California is a calming and refreshing event you definitely want to check out! From 4-day retreats to 2-day urban escapes, this festival includes yoga and meditation programs, live music, runs, fitness classes, speakeasy talks, and more!
The Arnold Sports festival is the largest multi-sport festival in the nation. 22,000 athletes compete in 80 sporting events such as Olympic sports, martial arts, boxing, strength sports, and dance. If you are someone who appreciates all genres of sports and fitness, check out this awesome festival.
Note: If you wanted to compete in any event, you can sign up for the “Arnold Amateur” which offers competitions in men’s bodybuilding, classic physique, men’s and women’s physique, fitness, figure, bikini, and wellness. The winner serves as a pro qualifier for the IFBB pro league (https://arnoldamateur.com/#generalinfo)
Wodapalooza, featured in Miami’s Bayfront Park, is a 4-day CrossFit festival that celebrates fitness, community, and life. There is a fitness competition, a weightlifting faceoff, WZA strong competition (hybrid of Strongman and functional fitness movements), and the Gauntlet (a fast race where you complete three workouts within an hour).
4. Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon, CA
While Al Capone may not have been able to escape Alcatraz, you can! The Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon race starts with a 1.5-mile swim from Alcatraz Island to the San Francisco shoreline followed by an 18 mile bike ride to the Golden Gate Park, and finishes with an eight-mile run to Baker Beach, climbing up the famous Sand Ladder. If you love triathlons, this is a must-do event for you.
5. Spartan Race, various locations
If you enjoy fitness events that leave you physically spent, muddy from head-to-toe, and bruised, then the Spartan Race is calling your name. Their 5K 20 Obstacle Race is a series of obstacles held on off-road terrain, full of water and mud. You will climb walls, climb under barbedwire and traverse monkey bars, and aim a spear throw as you rally toward the finish line. Click on the link to find Spartan Race locations near you!
The Big Sur International Marathon, located in Big Sur California, is the largest rural marathon in the world. The course runs through the redwoods, alongside ranches, and offers a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean. If you are not a marathon runner, don’t sweat it (pun intended)! There are other distance events such as a relay, 21-Miler, 11-Miler, 12K, 5K, and 3K.
The Buffalo Marathon and Half Marathon is the premier running event in Buffalo, NY. While running across a relatively flat course, you get to enjoy the views of Buffalo’s downtown waterfront and major landmarks such as Lake Erie and Lasalle Park. The full and half marathons both begin at the same start line, making the event super convenient for runners and staff. An added bonus to the race is the cool bands and live music that performs every couple of miles on the course. Lace-up and get ready to boogie to the finish line!
The LA Marathon begins at the infamous Dodger Stadium and winds through Downtown LA, Little Tokyo, Hollywood, and more. Toward the end of the run, the course makes an interesting twist as runners double back on San Vicente, Sepulveda, and Santa Monica Blvd before finishing at Avenue of the Stars. After crossing the finish line, runners, friends, and family members can enjoy the Finish Festival with concerts that put runners close to hotels, transportation, and nightlife in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the best of LA.
“Run It, Experience It, Love It! This south California race begins in Fashion Island and runs through the beautiful coastal communities of Newport Beach, Irvine, Santa Ana, and Costa Mesa. The OC marathon finishes at the OC Fair and Event Center which is where the real celebration begins! This marathon is a three-day extravaganza filled with sponsors, vendors, and extra activities! Runners from the 5K, Full Marathon, and Half Marathon join together at the finish line festivals to celebrate their accomplishments! You do not want to miss out on this event!
10. St Pete Run Fest, FL
This three-day festival full of fun includes running events, vendors, music, and breweries. The St Pete Run Fest offers its runners a variety of races to choose from. With runs for kids, beginners, and seasoned runners, everyone who attends the Sunshine City during this race weekend is destined for an experience to remember. The exquisite scenery of Tampa Bay can be enjoyed by any runner that has the opportunity to run the 13.1-mile total course. The scenic waterfront views are not something that you want to miss out on! Make sure to register with the link provided.
Think you can conquer “the south’s toughest bridge run”? The Savannah Bridge run, hosted over the beautiful Talmadge Bridge, features a 5K, 10K, kids run, and a race called the “double pump”. If running over the bridge once does not suit you, the double pump includes three trips over the bridge. To add even more of a challenge, there is a “ruck division” where you wear a weighted backpack during the race. Runners are typically dressed in a fun costume, as there is a costume contest judged by the Bridge Run volunteers and staff. For more information, click the link!
12. Tampa AM Skateboarding Competition, FL
Looking for a competition to show-off your gnarly skateboarding skills? Travel to Tampa’s AM Skateboarding Competition otherwise referred to as “The Am”. Before this competition, there were no nationally recognized amateur skate contests! From this event, many professional skateboarders such as Donny Barley, Nyjah Huston, Feliper Gustaco, and more were able to emerge. Think you got what it takes to be the next pro in skateboarding? Only one way to find out.
13. U.S. Open ISKA World Martial Arts Tournament, FL
The U.S. Open ISKA World Martial Arts Tournament covers a wide range of everything you can think of in a martial arts competition such as self-defense, breaking, forms, weapons, fighting, demo, MMA, grappling, and more. This is one of the biggest tournaments of the year in the country! People all around the globe come to compete in this stellar event and the nighttime finals are streamed LIVE on ESPN. Better yet, the event is hosted at Coronado Springs Resort, Spa, and Convention Center at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Sign up to compete or watch and maybe hit up the Disney parks in-between.
14. Ullr Fest, Breckenridge, CO
Every winter, Breckinridge hosts their annual Ullr Festival, celebrating snow and tradition. This wild event was created to celebrate the mythical God of Winter, Ullr. According to tradition, Ullr covers the earth with snow every winter to protect it from harm. Prepared to see many people decked out in Viking hats paying homage to this snowy god. This festival includes parades, bonfires, ice plunges, talent shows, comedy nights, and more! Grab your skis and get ready to hit the slopes with Ullr this winter.
15. Vans x Sun Diego Boardshops AM SLAM Surf Series, CA
The Sun Diego AM Slam is an amateur surf contest series designed to give local surfers the opportunity to shred the waves, compete, and excel. If you are looking for an opportunity to put your surfing talents to the test, register for the next event at sundiego.com.
16. California River Quest, CA
Attention passionate paddlers! The California River Quest, in Redding California, is an event that hosts 25, 50, and 100-mile river course races for kayakers, canoers, and paddle boarders. The event profits are donated to Friends of the River – California’s statewide river conservation organization. Get ready to work your arms and wind down at Sierra Nevada Brewery for a post-race party!
