Running is a popular form of exercise and recreation that involves moving rapidly on foot. It can be done outdoors on roads, tracks, trails or treadmills. Running helps improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength and endurance. It is also great for mental health as it releases feel-good endorphins. Here are 49 riddles about running to exercise your mind as you exercise your body.
General Running Riddles
Let’s start with some general riddles about the act of running itself:
Q: I can be fast or slow, done on trails or tracks. Runners love me although I tire them out. What am I?
A: Running
Q: I’m measured in minutes and seconds, and runners try to get their best. What am I?
A: Time
Q: I’m worn on feet and needed for running. Rubber or foam, laced up tight. What am I?
A: Running shoes
Q: I’m a fitness tracker that uses GPS to track your runs. Fitbit and Garmin make me. What am I?
A: GPS running watch
Q: I’m compression wear that improves blood flow and reduces fatigue when running. What am I?
A: Compression socks or tights
Q: I’m a running event where people run 5 kilometers. What am I?
A: 5k race
Q: I’m a hat that shades you from the sun when running outdoors. What am I?
A: Running visor
Q: I’m a machine that allows you to run indoors. What am I?
A: Treadmill
Q: I’m an app that tracks your runs using your phone’s GPS. What am I?
A: Running app like Nike Run Club or Strava
Q: Athletes train me to improve speed and endurance. I involve alternating between walking and running. What am I?
A: Interval training
Running Locations
Let’s continue with some riddles about common places people love to run:
Q: I’m a paved surface circling around a sports field. Runners like to jog laps around me. What am I?
A: Running track
Q: I’m a trail that goes up and down hills and mountains. Runners come to me for a challenging workout. What am I?
A: Hiking trail
Q: I’m a flat, straight paved road perfect for running. You’ll find me in most neighborhoods. What am I?
A: Street
Q: I’m a paved path made just for running, walking and cycling. You’ll find me in parks and along rivers. What am I?
A: Bike path
Q: I’m a soft surface made of crushed rocks or wood chips. You’ll find me in parks and stadiums. What am I?
A: Running track
Q: I’m a place filled with equipment for running and exercise. Runners come to me for indoor training. What am I?
A: Gym
Q: I’m a program that allows runners to train virtually on screens. What am I?
A: Virtual treadmill classes like Peloton
Q: I’m an app that guides you on running routes around your city. What am I?
A: Running route planner app like MapMyRun
Q: I’m a special kind of belt used for running indoors in place. What am I?
A: Treadmill
Running Gear and Equipment
Next up, some riddles about the gear and equipment runners use:
Q: I’m worn on your wrist to track your pace, distance and route when running. What am I?
A: GPS running watch
Q: I’m worn on your head to absorb sweat and keep hair out of your face. What am I?
A: Headband
Q: I’m worn on your eyes to shield from wind, sun and debris when running. What am I?
A: Sunglasses or running glasses
Q: I provide bounce and cushioning for a comfortable run. Foam or gel, I go in your shoes. What am I?
A: Running shoe insoles
Q: I stream music and podcasts to your headphones when you run. Who am I?
A: Music player like an iPod or smartphone
Q: I’m worn on your arm to hold your phone, keys or ID when running. What am I?
A: Running armband
Q: I’m powered by batteries and worn on your feet to track your pace and distance. What am I?
A: Running foot pod
Q: I light your way when running in the dark. Headlamp or handheld, I shine bright. What am I?
A: Running light
Q: I’m a pack worn on your back to carry water, snacks and more when running. What am I?
A: Running backpack or vest
Q: Reflective and brightly colored, I make you visible when running in low light. What am I?
A: Reflective running gear
Running Techniques and Training
How about some riddles about techniques, training and health when running:
Q: I’m a slow light run done as a warmup or recovery workout. What am I?
A: Jogging
Q: I’m a steady paced run done at moderate effort. Marathoners train with me. What am I?
A: Long run
Q: I’m a fast short distance run done at maximum effort. Sprinters practice me. What am I?
A: Sprint
Q: I’m a run technique focused on proper form usually done barefoot. What am I?
A: Chi running
Q: I’m rhythmic breathing synchronized with foot strikes while running. What am I?
A: Running cadence
Q: I’m a device worn on the arm to monitor heart rate during runs. What am I?
A: Heart rate monitor
Q: I’m an injury caused by overuse and impact during runs. What am I?
A: Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome)
Q: Stretching me after runs helps relax muscles and increase flexibility. What am I?
A: Hamstrings
Q: I’m lean protein eaten after runs to help rebuild and repair muscles. What am I?
A: Eggs, chicken or fish
Q: I’m the technique of changing pace from fast to slow during a run. What am I?
A: Fartlek training
Running Events and Competitions
Let’s pick up the pace with riddles about popular running events:
Q: I’m a 26.2 mile running race through city streets. What am I?
A: Marathon
Q: I’m a popular marathon that takes place in New York City. What am I?
A: New York City Marathon
Q: I’m a 100 meter sprint race in the Olympics. What am I?
A: 100 meter dash
Q: I’m a team relay race featuring legs of different distances. What am I?
A: Relay race
Q: I’m a challenging trail race taking place in the mountains. What am I?
A: Trail running race
Q: I’m a wristband with an embedded timing chip worn in races. What am I?
A: Race bib with timing chip
Q: I’m an organized group run taking place before a big race. What am I?
A: Pasta party
Q: I’m the fastest male and female finishers in a race. What am I?
A: Winner/Top runners
Q: I’m the person who motivates, leads and sets the pace in a race. What am I?
A: Pacesetter
Q: I’m a challenging uphill race climbing stairs or a mountain road. What am I?
A: Hill climb race
Running Benefits and Motivation
A few riddles about the many benefits of running and motivations for lace up your running shoes:
Q: Running strengthens me, the most important muscle in your body. What am I?
A: Heart
Q: Running releases my hormones, your natural feel-good chemicals. What am I?
A: Endorphins
Q: I’m a mental health benefit gained from the rhythm and “runner’s high” during runs. What am I?
A: Reduced anxiety and improved mood
Q: Running improves me, an important measure of heart and lung fitness. What am I?
A: VO2 max
Q: Running makes me stronger – I’m the fibers that make up your muscles. What am I?
A: Muscle cells
Q: I’m burned during a run, providing energy and improving metabolism. What am I?
A: Calories/fat
Q: Running strengthens me, important for balance and injury prevention. What am I?
A: Core muscles
Q: I’m a chronic health condition improved by regular running. What am I?
A: High blood pressure
Q: I’m released during sleep after an evening run, helping you sleep better. What am I?
A: Melatonin
Q: Running for me provides motivation, a sense of accomplishment and confidence. What am I?
A: Yourself/inner strength
Conclusion
So there you have it – 49 riddles ranging from easy to hard that cover all things running! From the trails to the treadmill, races, gear, training and more, these riddles will give your mind a workout as you pound the pavement. Running is great exercise for the body and brain. Send these running riddles to your running buddies and see how well you know your sport. Now it’s time to put on those running shoes and hit the road!
