Our Favorite Summer Races in 2022

The arrival of summer means long days filled with sun-soaked adventures. Not only is summer the perfect time for beach trips and barbecues, it’s a great opportunity to test your fitness and connect with other runners by signing up for a race.

Here are four races, ranging in distance from one mile to 5K, that are perfect for spicing up your summer running routine.

July 4, 2022

Little Rock, AR

Celebrate the red, white and blue with a festive 5K on the Fourth of July. This point to point course starts on Kavanaugh Boulevard and finishes at the War Memorial Stadium. Runners can park near the start line and take a shuttle bus back from the finish line. If you’re speedy enough to place in the top three of your age group, you’ll win a gift certificate to Fleet Feet Little Rock. Bring your A-game if you like free shoes (who doesn’t?) because the overall winners from the men’s and women’s division will win a free pair of HOKA shoes!

July 22, 2022

Pittsburgh, PA

The 11th annual Fleet Feet Liberty Mile, presented by Fleet Feet Pittsburgh, kicks off at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 22nd. The course starts on Penn Avenue and turns onto 11th Street before an epic finish on Liberty Avenue. Runners have the option to choose between three different registration levels, ranging from $30 to $45, and 8 different heats. The heats range in competitiveness from the open division to the “Unstoppable” heat, in which participants must be able to run faster than 6 minutes per mile. There’s even a kid’s heat, a “Pup Trot,” and more. Catch a glimpse of your favorite elite runners during the Pro Women’s and Pro Men’s heats, starting at 8:00 and 8:10 respectively.

August 6, 2022

Greenville, SC

If you’re looking for a competitive race to run your fastest mile time ever, the MPourium Beer Mile presented by Fleet Feet Greenville is not that race. But if you’re looking for a fun, festive way to kick off the last month of summer, this race is the perfect way to spend your Saturday night. The race starts at 6:15 p.m. at the MPourium beer garden in Greenville, North Carolina. Runners will run a quarter-mile lap four times, drinking a beer in between each lap. Sign up for the relay option to split up the running and the drinking, or make it a family affair with the Kid’s Half Mile Juice Challenge.

August 13, 2022

Stuart, FL

Runners, you’ve been warned – The Furnace 5K earns its name thanks to South Florida’s brutal summer heat and humidity. But just because it’s hot doesn’t mean you can’t have fun at this annual Fleet Feet Stuart tradition. Runners have the option to register for the full-price, in-person 5K or virtual 5K with a race shirt and finisher medal or the “Going Old School” rate, which doesn’t include a race shirt or finisher medal. There’s also a 50-yard Kid’s Fun Run, so the whole family can get moving.