How to Plan the Perfect Runcation (My Step-by-Step Process)

If there’s one thing I’ve learned after running in over 20 national parks, countless cities, and a few jungles (yeah, literal jungles)… it’s this:

You don’t need to overplan a running trip — but you do need a plan.

When I first started travel running, I’d wing it. Book a random Airbnb. Scroll AllTrails and Strava the night before. Throw five pairs of socks in a bag and hope I didn’t forget anything important. Sometimes it worked out. Other times (many times)… I ended up driving 90 minutes at 5 a.m. to get parking at a trailhead.

Now, I have a system I use for every trip.

Whether I’m running in Grand Teton or in the hills outside Chiang Mai, the approach is the same:

1. Find great running routes first.
2. Build everything else around them.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how I plan a running trip anywhere in the world — trail, city, or somewhere in between — so you can spend less time stressing and more time moving.

Want to see how I approach running in a new city? This video walks through my process ?

What is a Runcation?

A runcation is simply a vacation with the the main focus being to run. That’s it.

This can be for races, destinations, around historical sights (or sightrunning as some call it), or simply as a way to de-stress and do a fun activity in a new place. It can be for a few months or as short as a weekend running trip. That’s what’s great about it, you can tailor it to what you want out it.

And don’t worry, you’re not alone asking this question.

While it’s self-explanatory once you think about it, it wasn’t really used much up until recently. I mean, just look at this Google Trends graph (or lack of one):

Besides that random blip in May of 2025 (which may have just been me, to be honest) and recently, there hasn’t been much buzz around it. BUT, you do hear about runcations more and more.

People traveling to run major marathons like Boston, Paris, or London. Others taking time off work to run Western States or UTMB. Or, it’s an extended trip running around historical sights in Peru.

Either way, active travel as a whole is booming.

So, knowing how to plan a runcation quickly means you get to enjoy it more and stress less. So let’s get to that.

Want more info on planning a runcation? Check out my Runcation Tips page for everything you need!

How I Plan a Running Trip [in 5 Easy Steps]

1. Pick the Runs First

When I’m planning a to run while traveling, I don’t start with hotel deals. I don’t build around tourist attractions.

I start with the run. Always.

It doesn’t matter if I’m heading to a national park, a jungle, or a big city — the first thing I do is open up apps like AllTrails and Strava heatmaps (which shows you where people are running via blue lines on a map) to find where the best running routes are.

If it’s route-heavy, I’m looking for:

• Scenic loops or out-and-backs with a good mix of elevation and flow
• Routes that cluster together (so I can get multiple runs in)
• Distance, surface, elevation, views — the works

If it’s a city, I’ll zoom in on parks, greenbelts, riverfront paths, or even soft shoulder roads that show heavy runner traffic.

I’ve used this exact process everywhere from Zion National Park to San José, Costa Rica — where I booked a place near La Sabana park specifically because I saw it was a running hub on Strava.

That first step — seeing where the best runs are — tells me everything I need to know about where I want to stay, what gear to pack, and how I’ll build the rest of the trip.

2. Factor in Season, Surface, and Safety

Once I’ve got my eye on a route (or a few), the next question I ask is: When is this actually runnable?

Because yeah — that incredible alpine trail with the glacier views? Probably not your best option in early spring unless you’re into postholing through melting snowfields. And trust me, you’re not doing any type of running in snow up to your knees.

So, I always research and factor in:

• Seasonal weather: Will it be blazing hot? Snowed in? Monsoon season?
• Trail conditions: Muddy, icy, dry, loose rock — I adapt my plans and gear accordingly
• Surface type: If I’m going road-heavy, I prep differently than I would for a steep, root-covered trail

Normally I’m wearing a pair of road shoes as my casual shoes just to double up with my trail shoes. That way I have options for any type of condition/situation.

But proper research is important. Otherwise you’ll find yourself rough situations, or even worse depending on the destination. A few examples:

• Zion in February was perfect — cooler temps, zero crowds, and we still had bluebird days for running.
• Death Valley in July? Not unless you enjoy flirting with heatstroke.
• In Phuket, I planned all my runs early morning to beat both the heat and the mopeds (though there are plenty of trails in Phuket to run).

Running in new places is awesome — but only if you plan for the conditions. That’s why I always check trail reviews, recent photos, and forecasts when mapping out my runcation window.

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3. Book a Place That Works for Your Runcation, Not Against It

Once I’ve picked the run(s) and time of year, I shift to where I’m going to stay. And just like with everything else in this process — the run comes first.

I’m not looking for a five-star hotel downtown if it means I’m 45 minutes from the trailhead or park entrance.

I want to stay close to the action. But not right on top of it. When I ran the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, I stayed just outside downtown, but still walking distance to the start line and expo.

Here’s how I do it:

• I open Strava heatmaps or AllTrails in one window
• Then I pull up Airbnb or Booking on another
• And I start matching up route access with proximity to the routes

Ideally, I’m within 15–30 minutes of the run I’m most excited about. Even better if I can jog from my Airbnb to a park or trail entrance — like I did in Costa Rica near Parque La Sabana.

But, there have been too many times where I booked my stay in an extremely non-runnable spot — think no sidewalks, lots of highways, and sketchy neighborhoods. It happens from time to time, but the point is that I learned from it with the hopes you don’t make the same mistake.

Beyond proximity, I look for:

• Wi-Fi (so I can download routes, check weather, upload runs, work, etc.)
• A kitchen or fridge for storing fuel and recovery food
• Early check-in or secure luggage storage — helpful for getting runs in on travel days
• And at least some access to basic medical care — just in case (I’ve had to stop at a CVS mid-trip more than once)

Pro tip: Avoid anything too remote unless you’ve done your safety homework. Running has its risks, and being 90 minutes from the nearest clinic is not a flex.

4. Pack for the Run, Not the “Just-in-Cases”

Let’s be real — it’s easy to overpack when you’re planning a running trip. The fantasy version of the trip has you changing gear for every run, hitting recovery sessions with resistance bands, foam rollers, a massage gun, and then strolling into town in fresh clothes post-run.

But the reality? A bit different.

I pack light — and I pack for what I’ll actually do. And for my fantasy runcation, that means a lot of time in forests, mountains, deserts, or really anywhere outdoors. Preferably running (and walking the uphills, of course). For road races, you can check out my marathon packing list to see exactly what I take and when to start packing for a trip.

For most trips, here’s what I bring:

• Trail shoes + road shoes (if needed — usually one can double as casuals)
• GPS watch with GPX routes downloaded (non-negotiable)
• Hydration vest, soft flasks, or filtered bottle
• Fuel (gels, bars, electrolytes — whatever I know works)
• Bug spray, sunscreen, compact first aid kit
• 1–2 versatile running outfits that can be washed and reworn
• A few outfits for casual wear (these will all match together for multiple combinations — I know, peak style here)
• A few recovery tools — usually just a mini massage ball or band, but only if space

I travel as light as possible nowadays.

I spent my early travel/running years packing way too much gear and ending up with way too many back aches. Now, it’s almost a competition to see how light I can go but still have what I need. Learning how to fold running gear into one bag and take advantage of limited space is crucial. So, most gear is multi-use — shirts (running vs. casual wear), shorts (same), shoes (one pair for road and casual use), and shoes that fit in a carry-on. This saves me tons of spaces and weight, which translates to fewer headaches dealing with baggage.

If I’m running remote, I up my safety game and pack accordingly. And I always, always download my routes — even if it’s a loop I think I’ll remember. That GPX file (the file of a route you or someone else created) has saved me from taking wrong turns more than once.

Want my full trail checklist?

Check out what I bring on every trail running trip → Trail Running Gear Checklist [Everything You Need to Start]

5. Build Everything Else Around the Run

Not every trip has to be a high-mileage grind. Sometimes it’s about finding one perfect trail and building the rest of the trip around it.

That’s exactly how I approach most of my runner trips — especially when I’m traveling with Kaitlyn (my fiancee). Maybe we’ll spend one day tackling a long mountain trail, then recover the next day with a shorter loop, a chill hike, or just a coffee-fueled walk around town.

It’s less about packing the schedule and more about making space for the run to be the thing — not just squeezed in between sightseeing and dinner reservations. Sometimes I run solo early in the morning before the world wakes up. Sometimes we run together and take our time soaking it all in. And sometimes we plan nothing and just see what the day gives us.

The key? Build your running trip around your own rhythm — not someone else’s itinerary.

Because when the run goes well, everything else tends to follow.

Still have nerves? Use this checklist to start

If you’ve never traveled for a run before, here’s a quick reference checklist to get you started:

✅ Choose a trail near the city or park you’re visiting (filter AllTrails by “easy” or use Strava heatmaps)
✅ Stay within 15 minutes of the trailhead or a local running loop if possible for easy access
✅ Pack light: bring only a few outfits, a handheld bottle, and your favorite shoes
✅ Don’t overthink pace — the goal is to explore, not perform (unless that’s what you’re traveling for)

This is your permission to run slow, get lost, and have fun doing it. Just take your time and enjoy it.

Plan Smarter. Run Freer.

Whether you’re running ridgelines in a national park, loops through a city park in Southeast Asia, or just exploring a new town with your shoes laced up — building your trip around running gives it a whole new energy.

It doesn’t have to be complicated. Find the routes. Pick your base. Pack what you’ll actually use. And go. (The last one being the most important.

And if you’re planning a trip to a U.S. national park, I’ve got something to help with that…

Get My Free National Park Running Guide

It’s packed with trail recommendations, park-specific tips, and everything I’ve learned from running in 20+ parks across the country.

GRAB THE GUIDE HERE

Whether you’re just starting your first runcation or planning your 10th — it’s the perfect place to start if you want to visit a national park in the U.S.

More About Gear & Planning

The Travel Runner’s Marathon Packing List

Stretching and Running: What Runners Actually Need to Know

My Essential Trail Running Gear [Everything I Take on Runs]