Trends To Run With In 2026

Extra motivation is easy to come by during this time of the year. While there are many factors for this, including New Year’s resolutions and working off those holiday cookies, shiny new trends make running into the new year more fun. Here are five running trends that could make 2026 your best running year yet.

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Touch Grass, or Gravel

Get off the treadmill, the pavement, or the track and run on more adventurous terrain in 2026.  Taking your workout off-road can be good for the spirit, reinvigorating your love of running and life in general by exploring new routes in beautiful settings with less traffic and pollution.  While not everyone has access to challenging technical trails, most locations offer gravel country roads or grassy paths to escape pavement, making this trend more accessible. The gravel trend is also supported by running shoe companies releasing models of gravel-specific running sneakers. These new sneakers provide lightweight stability and traction, fit and function that balance traditional technical trail and fast pavement models.

Race or Runway?

Runners in 2026 want to stand out, dress like they’re running the runway during fashion week instead of the local 5k, a fun way to have all eyes on you. Take the Loewe-ON and Adidas-Gucci collaborations as extreme examples: running brands are leaving neutral colorways and traditional silhouettes. Besides these designer collections, small brands like District Vision and Literary Sport are blending performance and design. Let’s face it: looking good won’t make you faster, but it can help boost your confidence with each stride, increase your enjoyment of running, and make you more committed to the sport.

Runch  

Early-morning runs often mean less sleep, late-day fatigue, and the feeling that you have to suffer through miles in the dark instead of enjoying them. Evening runs can easily be scrapped for the day's events: stomach feeling off, a sick child, working late, the weather turning, or a happy hour meetup being more enticing. The most reliable time to commit to daily running might be your lunch hour. Get it? Run + Lunch = Runch. Most working adults schedule this mandatory break during the day, and this year, runners are using it intentionally to break up the sedentary office day with some endorphins. Make it happen for you by being prepared: keep a pair of sneakers under your desk, towel wipes in the drawer, and a quick, easy meal, such as overnight oats or a turkey sandwich, for after the run.

Everyday Super Shoe

Advanced foams, a barely there feel, and carbon plates are the main features responsible for the drastic decrease in running times across all distances, and in late 2025, NIKE released ‘Project Amplify’, a power-assisted trainer.  While the tech-forward running sneaker started as an elite race-only enhancement, in 2026, the super shoe is showing up for everyday miles. As more options become available and the price point drops slightly, runners of all distances and abilities are turning to these innovative creations to maximize every step, thanks to the increased pace per mile, reduced effort per step, and reduced muscle soreness, allowing for increased mileage and less fatigue. However, most running experts will still recommend saving the super shoe for key workouts to preserve the shoe’s effectiveness and prevent potential overuse injuries.

Emphasis on Strength

Runners finally agree that a strength session is more worthwhile than cross-training on the elliptical or adding that extra easy mile. Strength training through lifting weights and dynamic body movements is vital for preventing injury, improving running economy, targeting smaller supporting muscle groups, promoting leanness, improving running form, and adding to one’s running longevity. This year, make strength training a central component of your running instead of treating it like an occasional obligation; aim for 2 sessions a week, enlist a personal trainer to make your routine run specific, focus on your weak areas, add protein and creatine to your carbohydrate routine, and tweak your strength training as you improve, just like you do with runs.

Remember that trends can boost enjoyment and motivation, but they can be pricey, fleeting, and aren’t for everyone. Always commit to doing what works for you because a personalized running foundation is better than any trend.