Part of the fun of the warmer weather is spending more time outdoors with family and friends. One of the things our MRTT group loves to do in summer, is a Scavenger Hunt Run. We invite all the kids and husbands to come on out and join us which always makes for more fun. We are fortunate enough to have the help of our local Road Runner Sports store to organize this with us but you can certainly set up something like this on your own with your running besties. Here’s how to do it:
Location, Location, Location
Ideally you want a starting spot with ample parking and that is close by potential fun spots (running stores, local landmarks, restaurants, yoga studios, gyms) that you can run to. We try to keep our stops within a one mile radius for the runs with the families.
Recruit Local businesses
Local businesses are usually quite willing to help out if you ask them in advance and many will also offer to donate a prize for your raffle. It’s free advertising for them. For example, a spot on your scavenger hunt could be to run a local yoga studio and do a tree pose in front or inside. Gets them some exposure and makes for a fun stop for the kids too. Another idea, run to a crossfit studio and take a pic doing burpees outside.
Map it out
Have a map or cue sheet available to all your runners so they can easily find the stops and visit as many as possible. Decide how many points or tickets each stop is worth and how your friends can keep track of them. Last night we took photos of the various stops on the list, came back to the store and got points for each one.
Prizes
It’s fun to have a random raffle for running related or local business items. As I mentioned, lots of the small businesses will donate coffee, a free yoga class or discount at a restaurant for your running group. We have found that the mention of prizes get lots of our moms to attend and the kids just love it. Thanks to Road Runner Sports who generously donated a pair of shoes and a shirt to 2 of our members.
Food
We went with the always popular post scavenger hunt pizza last night. It’s easy and all the kids love it. Road Runner hosts monthly Adventure Runs where they offer post run beer.
Summer is the best time to host these fun scavenger hunts that get our member’s families involved as well. Tell me-have you done a Scavenger Hunt run? Do you think your BRF’s would like to organize one?
Linking up with the Friday Five (Fairytales & Fitness and Running on Happy)
Fit n Fashionable Friday (Nicole)
So fun! I wish Falls Church weren’t so hard for me to get to on weeknights.
I know it can be hard to get around on weeknights around here we did have a fun time
What a fun idea and a great way to get non-runners involved in running as well!
Exactly! The kids all loved it and it was great weather which helped
What a fun idea! I love scavenger hunts as a kid, so the idea of doing a running one sounds awesome. That would be a great family event.
Perfect for families they all loved it
I have only done one other scavenger hunt and it was around Christmas time when I did Run chat through twitter. We would have to go take pictures of certain decorations during our run and post them.
It’s a lot of fun and you kind of forget you are running bc you are so into finding the clues
What an awesome idea! I’ve never done any type of scavenger hunt, but I would love to do this! I’m going to mention the idea to my local Fleet Feet store!
That would be perfect for a run hope they do it with you
What a fun idea! I haven’t done a scavenger hunt since I was a kid!
We had a blast and the kids loved it
This looks like such a fun time! Need to try this!!
We had a really fun time
This sounds like so much fun, it’s a great idea! I did the adventure run at the Road Runners store once with a friend and that was a good time but I think our store doesn’t do them any more 🙁
They are so much fun you might have to come out to the Falls Church store sometime for one
This is SUCH a fun idea!! I want to organize one of these for sure!
You should! It was great
Lotsa work but lots a fun too. It is good if everyone takes turns helping out!
It’s not that much work really and it’s fun
This sounds like fun. I’ve often thought of doing something like this for our local running club. Might have to go for it! So did they take pictures at each location and then check in with that?
Yes participants just took a photo at each stop and then showed it at the end for raffle tickets
Thanks!
This is so fun! I did one recently and can’t imagine trying to plan it!
They are lots of fun. It’s not too hard to plan really
Oh how I wish I had a fun running group to do this with! I love this idea and how fun to have prizes from local businesses!
You could definitely do it with friends and family it’s lots of fun
This is such a fun idea!! I’ve never heard of a scavenger hunt run before, but I’d totally do this.
So much fun!
I have done scavenger hunts,but never with a running /fitness theme. This already has the wheels spinning in my head… 😉
I know you would love it and hey you could do it a 5 am LOL
This is brilliant and I might have to borrow this idea! Thanks, Deb!
Yes please do!
This is such a fun idea! I love ways to keep staying active interesting!
definitely have to keep it fun!
I’ve never done a run like this but it looks so much fun! How cool that you were able to set this up with Road Runners and other local businesses!
Yes they are the best!
What a fun idea! I need to share this with my local MRTT chapter 🙂
You guys totally have to do it!!
I LOVE the idea of doing a group scavenger hunt run and including local businesses. Really want to give this a try with my group!
I hope you all do it too it’s a blast
Looks like a lot of fun! I love scavenger hunts!
Definitely fun!
This sounds like so much fun! Now to get out of my shell and make some running besties. LOL
Yes you must! It’s fun
You definitely can’t go wrong with the ever popular pizza at a group gathering. Food always seems to make group runs that much rewarding, doesn’t it?
Yes it sure does!
I totally want to do this! Thanks for the tips!
It was lots of fun!