“I simply hope individuals have enjoyable,” Jesse Itzler instructed me as we walked alongside the route of Runningman Pageant’s major occasion, an 8-hour, choose-your-own distance race with choices starting from 5K to 50K. Itzler, a prolific entrepreneur, public speaker, and endurance runner, is the founding father of Atlanta’s All Day Operating Co., the working retailer that places on the Runningman Pageant.
“The Race,” because it’s aptly named, takes place round a 1-mile loop and you may run for so long as you need, or don’t need. It kicks off at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, sandwiched between myriad health lessons, perception-shifting wellness classes, the world’s largest sauna, chilly plunges, and a live performance from pop-savant-turned-Everest-summiter Mike Posner, amongst different issues.
This competition has already taken leaps in recognition, rising by 25% from 800 runners in its 2023 debut to over 1,000 in 2024. That won’t sound like an enormous quantity when in comparison with different races, however, after attending the competition myself, I believe the intimate really feel of the occasion is considered one of its best strengths.
Runningman Pageant may be absolutely anything the health fanatic desires it to be: you’ll be able to run the longest race of your life (90% of entrants surpassed their mileage objective), you’ll be able to be taught all about ‘shrooms (sure, these ‘shrooms), you’ll be able to acquire new wellness expertise, or you’ll be able to merely get pleasure from being round a thousand like-minded individuals.
The Runningman Pageant
Had a remark about “simply having enjoyable” come out of another person’s mouth, the response may need sounded a bit hackneyed. However Itzler, an achieved ultra-runner and entrepreneur, carries the aura of a person telling the gospel reality.
Possibly it was as a result of he type of appears like Will Ferrell and had simply shed the American-flag-adorned blazer he wore to kick off Saturday’s major occasion. However I consider it’s his prodigious expertise for making mind-melting endurance sports activities and wellness pursuits appear to be a day within the park.
Once you first set foot on the Runningman Pageant grounds at Kingston Downs — a former horse monitor in Rome, Georgia — you’d be forgiven for pondering you simply walked right into a micro Burning Man. Inside the 1-mile loop that additionally serves because the race course, you’ll discover tons of of tents lined up in rows, a stage surrounded by booming audio system, individuals carrying very little clothes, and a lineup of brand name sponsors that appear like they had been chosen primarily based on their love for psychedelic mushrooms.
The weekend facilities round The Race, however that’s on no account the one focus of Runningman. From the primary arrivals on Friday at 2:00 p.m. till the closing ceremonies on Sunday at 2:00 p.m., there was hardly any time when one other exercise wasn’t happening (save for perhaps 6 hours every evening).
Day One: Don’t Social gathering Too Onerous (Drink A number of Water)
Step nearer, and also you’d have observed that your fellow “Runners” had been scantily clad as a result of they had been hopping backwards and forwards between a chilly plunge and the World’s Largest Sauna, or had simply wrapped a HIIT exercise adopted by zenned-out breath work. When anybody was really stationary (which was uncommon), they had been scheming about what number of loops they might run.
On the similar time, they dug their fingers by bottomless coolers filled with Pink Bull, purposeful mushroom-infused seltzers, and beers. The bar stayed open late, however the evening didn’t cater to booze-fueled raucous conduct.
One of many extra refreshing sights of the weekend was seeing the “drink responsibly” mindset in apply, not out of obligation, however as a result of that’s how the standard Runningman attendee prefers it. (There have been plenty of Athletic Brewing N/A beers being handed round, although.)
After selecting up your packet on Friday afternoon, you will have entry to lessons and breakout classes galore, all main as much as a keynote speech from Itzler himself. Intro to Chilly Publicity, Guided Yoga, and the all-important Beer Mile spotlight the night, however it’s also possible to take a look at the pickle-eating contest or an introduction to the walk-run technique.
Sadly for me, a baggage hiccup in Atlanta pressured me to overlook the afternoon’s “World’s Hottest Social gathering,” the place tons of of parents gathered within the large sauna with a reside DJ — an occasion I believe needs to be thought of can’t-miss subsequent yr.
Don’t Miss the Keynote
The spotlight, although, was the Everest Mindset Panel, which featured Mike Posner, Devon Levesque, and Dr. Jon Kedrowski, every of whom beforehand summited Mt. Everest. They spoke about their expertise on the mountain and what it took to get them there.
Even if you happen to don’t care about summiting Everest, listening to their tales was a deal with. Posner’s story, specifically, resonates: He went from a worldwide pop star most recognized for a tune about popping tablets with Avicii in Ibiza, to a wellness aficionado and Everest summiter that credit his life-changing about-face to breath work and a dedication to at all times taking the subsequent step.
He’s nonetheless a gifted artist with indeniable attraction and confidence on stage, however one thing about seeing a man go from the peak of fame to a self-proclaimed all-time low, and are available again once more is immensely inspiring. Not each life change needs to be meteoric in scale, however generally an excellent Everest anecdote is important to show us that.
Day Two: The Race
Saturday serves the meat and potatoes of the Runningman Pageant. Shouts from the stage begin early, appearing as a de-facto wakeup name for your complete group of 1,000 runners to listen to.
After health guru and GQ author Joe Holder led your complete group in a warm-up at first line, Itzler stepped again as much as the mic to kick off the race, aforementioned American-flag blazer and pom-pom beanie in tow.
In nearly each race I’ve finished, the sensation on the beginning line is considered one of comparatively silent anxiousness. However the Runningman beginning line was distinctly totally different. Everybody was there to overcome one thing inside themselves, moderately than the individuals round them.
It gave the beginning line a buzz of pleasure moderately than pressure. It was refreshing, if not notably adrenaline-pumping. Everybody simply appeared stoked to be there, whatever the final result.
A part of the startline’s chill vibes owed to the general ethos of the race. Sure, individuals signed as much as PR or run the longest race they’ve ever run, however your complete factor takes place on a 1-mile loop. In the event you weren’t there to get pleasure from your self, the race may simply flip right into a tedious exercise.
The course stays open for 8 hours and individuals can depart for a bit and are available again to run some extra later. So to maintain the temper a minimum of as a lot enjoyable as grueling, runners can take pleasure in a mid-race sauna session, or seek out some spicy pickles and a Pink Bull pick-me-up.
Submit-Race Celebration
After The Race on Saturday morning, the day was jam-packed with issues to do, together with yoga, breathwork, an intro to microdosing, and a musical efficiency from Posner. He ran a 50K within the morning and performed for everybody just some hours later, nonetheless rocking his Garmin Fenix and Hoka path trainers — the identical ones he wore throughout the race.
After Posner’s hour-long acoustic set that included all of the hits — sure, I Took a Capsule in Ibiza included — Itzler hopped on stage to introduce the Runningman Band, who performed a deliriously lengthy set of covers lengthy into the evening, kicking off the celebratory post-run get together.
No person appears to expire of vitality at Runningman, however perhaps that’s proof of idea; maybe recovering correctly and taking some additional time to focus in your well-being can hold you going longer than you knew you would.
Day Three: Restoration (With Goats)
In the event you made it to mattress early (or establish as a masochistic early riser), Sunday morning provided extra of the identical. A Wim Hof respiratory seminar, led by (you guessed it) Posner, kicked off actions, adopted by a mirrored image stroll with child goats, a panel on clear consuming, and one other on restoration (which was much-needed after the earlier night’s shenanigans).
The reflection stroll offered a peaceable deviation from the depth of the remainder of the weekend — strolling quietly with cuddly livestock can do lots for a worn-out psyche. The clear consuming panel was a tricky, albeit convincing, train for me — my fingers and mouth occupied by a bacon, egg, and cheese crepe. Hey, every little thing moderately, proper?
Nonetheless, it was enlightening to listen to from a well-versed panel of pros on this planet of well being advocacy and law-making. One notably jarring takeaway pertained to the variations between European and American bread; you don’t need to know what’s within the U.S.-version (potassium bromate).
The following restoration panel did a deep dive on the advantages of cold-exposure, saunas, and different practices — all of which helped me in my very own endurance journey, although your mileage might range.
From there, it got here time to log off and take a deep breath. And in spite of everything of that, a deep breath was very a lot welcome. Those that had been lingered piled into their vehicles and headed house, pockets filled with wholesome snacks and extremely coveted Runningman merch.
Select Your Personal Journey
This yr’s Runningman was one for the books, and if you happen to went into it with the appropriate mindset, there was lots to take house past a customized hoodie. It was much less a time to set a document within the marathon, and extra a vigorous alternative to problem your thoughts and physique.
Past a singular probability to push your self to the bounds on the race course, Runningman offered ample alternatives to pay attention, be taught, and meet new individuals — or not! That was the fantastic thing about it; Runningman permits you to select your personal journey.
In the event you’re taken with conquering a working race in a really welcoming, low-stakes atmosphere; if you wish to discover the world of purposeful mushrooms, clear consuming, and/or breathwork; or if you happen to simply need to hang around with some actually cool individuals, Runningman is a must-do on your calendar subsequent yr.
Control the All Day Operating Co. web site or Instagram for extra info on the 2025 version.