In addition to the fitness and fun, running can be an education.
A novel way to learn more about the local landmarks that line your route.
Soaking up the backstories of places is another tactic I use to keep running interesting and maintain year-round healthy habits. It also helps to form a stronger bond with my surroundings and feel a greater sense of belonging.
The benefits of which last long after a run has finished.
Every city has a hidden history. The more you run in the same place the more is revealed, be it via information boards, talking to locals, or taking photos and looking up their forgotten tales once a run is over.
It’s a great way to add more layers to the world around you and see familiar things with fresh eyes.
How to Run This Theme: History
Running with curiosity brings more of the past into the present.
It could be joining the dots of landmarks on your route map, scratching beneath the surface of eye-catching buildings, taking a moment to read blue plaques, running in the opulent grounds of a historic building, or choosing to swat up on somewhere you feel a special connection to. Run by run, the more fun facts you pick up.
Taking pride in where you live can only be a good thing. I find it’s a great way to keep routes fresh. It also makes you a more informed tour guide when friends visit.
Remember to post your runs and on Instagram, tagging in Joy Runs. You can also share how you found this Joy Run theme and how it made you feel in the comments box below.
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How I Ran the History Theme
Living in York is like living in a time capsule.
Originally a Roman town, then conquered by Vikings, it boasts two thousand years of rich history, much of which is still preserved to this day. It’s also a place of social and industrial innovation, fairness and artistic flair – a city that constantly innovates, provokes, stimulates and informs. This collision of past and present is weaved into the fabric of everyday life here and what attracts 10 million visitors per year – more tourists than anywhere else in the UK outside of London.
It also makes for a varied backdrop to any run.
I’ve done many variations of this run theme in the past, including retracing old steps on the city walls, crossing the nine bridges across the River Ouse, visiting all the city’s almshouses, weaving in and out of York’s medieval snickleways, climbing the steps of Clifford’s Tower for some of the best views of the city, and making a special trip to hunt down York’s cold war bunker tucked away in a housing estate.
Exploring on my runs and diving a little deeper into York’s history has helped to piece together the different parts of the city and develop a greater fondness for my adopted home.
How to Create Your Own History Running Tour
Search what you see with Google Lens
Identify and learn about landmarks by pointing your camera at them. Google Lens helps you discover visually similar images and background info, gathering results from all over the internet.
Take yourself on a solo running tour
If you’re craving fresh running inspiration, being home tourist for the day can be just the ticket. Your local visitor information centre will have tons of maps you can use to plot a makeshift running route.
Donning your running gear means you can take in a week’s worth of sights, discover the stories behind them, and foster a deeper connection your surroundings in less than an hour.
Run a section of the blue plaque map
English Heritage’s famous blue plaques link notable famous Londoners of the past with the buildings of the present.
More than 1,000 plaques across the capital honour the women and men who have lived or worked in them while making their mark on the world. There’s many similar schemes around the UK, including in Bristol where I stumbled upon this fun Only Fools and Horses one earlier this year.
Start small and satisfy your curiosity
We’ve all run past buildings that don’t quite fit in. Feed your curiosity by committing to digging a little deeper and be open to where else it takes you. Be warned though: you might lose yourself down a rabbit hole!
Head to the tallest point
As a rule of thumb, the highest point of a city often has a good story to tell. It could be the tallest building (York Minster in my case) or a castle on top of a mound (Clifford’s Tower). A park where everybody gathers for golden hour or a historic tower or watch post.
→ Other ‘Running to Find Wonder‘ themes