Running Goals: 96 Exciting Goal Ideas For Your Next Training Cycle

Every runner should have at least one running goal.

You might want to run a 5k or finish your first marathon. Maybe you have a pace or time goal like breaking four hours in the marathon or running a mile in under 8 minutes.

Goals for runners are like a bottomless gas tank: they are what fuel our determination and consistency. 

Running goals give us a “why” for running. They drive us forward when it’s pouring outside on a Monday morning when you wake up to do your tempo run. They help us dig deep and push during a race. 

Running goals allow runners to get the most out of the sport and the most out of themselves as athletes and people.

Are you fired up just thinking about running goal ideas? Keep reading for our list of running goal ideas for your next training cycle.

In this guide, we will cover: 

• What Are the Best Running Goals?

• 12 Performance Running Goals

• 12 Milestone Running Goals

• 31 Experience Running Goals

• 41 Training Running Goals

Let’s get started!

What Are the Best Running Goals?

One of the greatest things about the sport of running is that you can set any number of running goals. There are no “good” or “bad” running goals—anything goes. However, the best running goals are those that mean something to you. 

Your running goal should fire you up and motivate you to do your training and push yourself. 

Running goals don’t have to just be performance goals. You can set training goals, experience goals, consistency goals, and more. 

Be creative and think broadly when setting your running goals, especially when you’re trying to figure out which type of running goal is most motivating to you.

If a running goal is too easy, it won’t push you or excite you. If a running goal is too hard, you’ll feel defeated before you even begin. 

The best running goals are challenging without being overwhelming or impassible. 

Let’s set some goals!

12 Performance Running Goals

Performance running goals are some of the simplest running goals to set for your training cycle, especially if you’ve run a race in the past or have an idea of your usual race pace.

You can use your previous performances, PRs or running PBs, and race times to inform your next performance running goal.

For example, if your best Parkrun time was 22:48, you might set your running goal to be breaking 22 minutes in the 5k.

Here are some examples of performance running goals:

12 Milestone Running Goals 

Milestone running goals are all about breaking new barriers and finishing a certain event like a new distance or getting in your longest run ever without worrying about your pace or performance per se.

Here are some examples of milestone running goals:

31 Experience Running Goals

Experience running goals are all about embracing running as a sport and the ways it can challenge you, change you, and enhance your life.

Here are some ideas for creative experience running goals:

41 Training Running Goals

Training running goals focus on your day-to-day training or improve your overall fitness. It’s often the little things we do in training that add up to the biggest results, so don’t underestimate the power of a good training goal.

Here are a few examples of good training goals for runners: 

What type of running goal fires you up? What running goal can you set to help you get faster, stronger, or make running fun again? 

Remember, there are no bad running goals. Pick one or two goals that inspire you to be your best. The more specific you can make your goal, the better.

When in doubt, use the SMART acronym for goal setting: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. 

Do a little brainstorming and choose something meaningful to you, and if you need us to give you a head start, you can take a look at our training plans!

Amber Sayer

Amber Sayer is a Fitness, Nutrition, and Wellness Writer and Editor, and contributes to several fitness, health, and running websites and publications. She holds two Masters Degrees—one in Exercise Science and one in Prosthetics and Orthotics. As a Certified Personal Trainer and running coach for 12 years, Amber enjoys staying active and helping others do so as well. In her free time, she likes running, cycling, cooking, and tackling any type of puzzle.