If you’re looking for a fun and active way to spend time as a family or with friends, then participating in a fun run is a must. Whether you’re in the mood for holiday cheer with Fulton Homes’ 12 K’s of Christmas run, the Phoenix Turkey Trot, or a unique fun run like the Foam Glow, Color or Bubble Run, each one is a way to bond with friends and family and you’ll feel accomplished as you cross the finish line.

Sunrise Marathon

The Sunrise Marathon takes place in different cities across the country, but it is meant to be a smaller, more private event to focus on the run itself. You can register for the half marathon, 10k, or the 5k to run or walk along the Arizona Canal. To be a more stripped down and personal event, each run is capped at 25 participants and will not have any sort of afterparty — just enjoy the run and follow their theme for this year, which is Keep Calm and Run On.

Information: Nov. 16, GR Herberger Park in Phoenix, 8 a.m.

Bubble Run

This 5k features giant foam cannons blasting the runners with colored foam throughout the entire run; the foam can reach up to heights of seven feet. Once done with the race, stay for the after-party which is like a mini music festival with a DJ and no lack of bubbles. 

Information: Nov. 23, Goodyear Ballpark, 8 a.m.

Foam Glow

Foam Glow is a 5k held at night where you will be blasted by glowing foam while you run or walk. Start the race wearing a white t-shirt and as you reach each of the zones you will run through different colors of foam that glow in the dark under black lights. These races are held across the country to support Childhood Cancer Awareness and the Arizona race supports Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Information: Nov. 23, Goodyear Ballpark, 6 p.m.

Phoenix Turkey Trot

Spend your Thanksgiving morning trotting through Downtown Phoenix before you sit down and relax for dinner. The Turkey Trot is family-friendly, featuring a 10k run, a 5k run and walk, and 1 mile Gobbler Dash and Tot Trot for the kids who would like to participate. The top three male and female finishers in different age groups will receive a special medal and you can even dress up for a chance to win an award for best costume.

Information: Nov. 28, Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza in Phoenix, 6 a.m.

Mayhem Night Run

Ever wonder what it’s like to run at night in the middle of December? Now you can try it out at Mayhem Night Runs with their 25 km, 5 mile and 10 mile options. Be sure to wear warmer clothes because the temperature could drop into the 40s throughout the night. If you’re feeling extra motivated, you can run in the McDowell Mountain Frenzy that is the same day in the morning, then head back for the night run and receive a medal for completing the Double Down. 

Information: Dec. 7, McDowell Mountain Regional Park, 6 p.m.

12 K’s of Christmas

Choose from a 12k run, a 6k run/walk, or a 1.2k run/walk complete with Christmas carolers, orchestras, cows, donkeys and turtles along the sidelines cheering you on. The shortest one is more suitable for those who want to run with children in strollers and wagons and with pets. The venue will also have a Christmas Bazaar with over 70 booths of Christmas gifts and items that you can check out once you’ve finished your run.

Information: Dec. 14, Freestone Park in Gilbert, 9 a.m.

Hot Chocolate Run

Decide between running in their 5k or 15k for what has been named America’s Sweetest Race. At the post-race party there will be hot chocolate merchandise, and finisher’s mugs filled with hot chocolate, chocolate fondue, and treats to dip into the 4,000 pounds of melted chocolate. This race benefits Make-A-Wish, which grants wishes to children with critical illnesses.

Information: Dec. 15, Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza in Phoenix, 7:30 a.m.

Santa Hustle

As you cross the finish line of the 5k or half marathon, you will be given a Santa hat and beard to make sure you’re in the Christmas spirit. Upon registration, you can even opt to have a Mrs. Claus package with a red tutu and candy cane socks or the full Santa suit package to look just like Mr. Claus. The Santa Hustle will benefit the Glendale Firefighter Charities.

Information: Dec. 22, Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale, 7:30 a.m.

Eastmark Parkway Color Run

This event acts as a fundraiser for several local schools and youth-oriented nonprofit organizations that raised over $30,000 in 2019. Participants should wear white, or their official color run t-shirt, and are splashed with different colored powders while they run through the race.

Information: Jan. 25, Eastmark Great Park in Mesa, 9 a.m.

Cookie Dash Fun Run

Participate in the first annual Cookie Dash Fun Run to support local charities, Stephanie’s Angels and The Pan De Vida Foundation. This event is perfect for children and adults of all ages with a half-mile sprint for kids and a 2.5-mile relay for teams. After the run, a pancake breakfast will be served that you can enjoy while you check out the family-friendly activities like face painting, balloon animals, carnival games, obstacle courses and more.

Information: Jan. 25, Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek, 9 a.m.

The Great Inflatable Race

With a mission for movement, The Great Inflatable Race is an all-inflatable obstacle fun run that has giant inflatables throughout the course. You climb through the inflatables and race to the next obstacle through the eight to 10 inflatables in the course. Once you’re done with the course, you can go to the Inflatable Village for even more fun in bouncy houses, bungee runs and others.

Information: March 14, Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, 9 a.m.

Superhero Adventure Run

This run is just under two miles that includes obstacles along the way such as the Spiderman Tower, Thor Tires, Iron Man Crawl, Wonder Woman Wall and Aqua-Man’s waterslide. Be sure to wear your favorite superhero costume and head to “Gotham City” for finish line refreshments, music and many photo opportunities.

Information: March 23, Freestone Park in Gilbert, 8 a.m.