10 Tips For Running A Night Race And A List of Night Races You Might Enjoy

running a night raceSometimes in your running journey you might find a race you want to run that is at night. Like Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas, the 5k, 10k, half marathon and full marathon are all at night. runDisney use to have a several night races, Tower of Terror 10 Miler and the Wine & Dine Half Marathon. There are lots more night race options. Running a night race though is a totally different beast. Here are tips: running at night

  1. Don’t eat a large meal the during the day. Instead eat several smaller meals. You don’t want to feel overly full at the start line or have GI issues during the race.
  2. Watch you footing. Road reflectors, curbs, and small potholes all become less visible at night, so enjoy the nighttime race, but be extra cautious of your footing.
  3. Rest your feet during the day. While it may sound like you have the whole day to enjoy your surrounds and go sightseeing or shopping, remember to rest up and save some energy. You don’t want to be on your feet all day and then go run a half marathon afterwards.
  4. Train with some night runs. While training for the race make sure to incorporate some runs that would be at the same time as your race so your body understands what’s going on. If your race starts at 7pm, do some training runs at 7pm. It will give you a better idea of how your body feels and now to adjust accordingly.
  5. If naps work well for you, nap midday. If naps recharge you batteries it’s a good idea to do that midday so you feel more refreshed for your night race.
  6. Remember to hydrate during the day. Water and electrolytes are so important when going into any race and just because the sun won’t be out for the race, doesn’t mean you don’t need to hydrate just the same.
  7. Check a jacket. Unlike a day race when you are done it is typically warmer than when you started, a night race will typically be colder when you finish than when you started. Bag check a jacket or sweatshirt so after you are done sweating you won’t be cold.
  8. Walk around after you are done. It is a good idea to walk around for a little bit after the race instead of jumping right back in bed. This keeps the lactic acid from building up and causing soreness. 
  9. Stretch before bed. When you are back in your room do some stretching and foam rolling. This will also help you from waking up sore the next morning. 
  10. Remember to have fun. Running a night race should be a fun experience and different than a typically race. Remember to have fun and enjoy it without too much stress. running at night

Here is a list of some night races:

Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas 5k, 10k, half marathon and full marathon

Maudie’s Moonlight Margarita Run

Polar Night Half Marathon

New York Road Runners Midnight Run

Ragnar Relay Races

Looking for more info? Here are some posts you might like:

100 Posts All About Running

What was the runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend 2019 like?

10 Things That Running Has Taught Me

10 Things Runners Should NOT Post On The Internet

Want to come back to this? Pin it for later!

running at night

runDisney Do’s and Don’ts What Moms Want For Mother’s Day Easy Ways To Get In Shape Best Contemporary Romance Books 2023 runDisney Race Medals