Runningman Festival isn’t your typical race weekend. The event blends an endurance challenge, a wellness retreat, and full-on festival energy into three days in Rome, Georgia. With a little preparation, you’ll be set to show up to our 2026 event feeling relaxed, settled, and ready to soak up the whole experience.
What Makes Runningman Festival Different
Runningman Festival is built around a simple idea. Wellness should feel human, fun, and shared. You will spend the weekend moving, recovering, learning, and connecting with a community that has gathered for the same reason: to challenge themselves without taking it too seriously.
So what can you expect? We’ve got:
- A choose-your-own-distance race
- Breakout sessions with wellness experts
- Sauna and cold immersion recovery
- Live music and main stage moments
- Vendor experiences and brand activations
The weekend feels equal parts push, reset, and celebration.
What to Plan Ahead of Time
A great Runningman weekend starts with a few basics. Once you’ve got your pass, travel, and gear sorted, everything feels easy when you hit the grounds.
Passes, Camping, and Glamping
Runningman 2026 keeps it simple with two main ways to join:
- 3-Day Runningman Pass (full festival access)
- Race Day Pass (Saturday only)
The 3-day pass offers you a full Runningman experience, including sauna village, cold immersion, vendors, and the race itself. If you want the whole wellness arc, this is the move.
Every 3-day ticket also comes with a self-supported camping plot, so you’d bring your own setup. If you want more comfort, glamping upgrades include pre-built tents and beds, which can make the weekend feel more like a retreat.
Getting to Kingston Downs
Runningman Festival takes place at Kingston Downs in Rome, Georgia, about an hour outside Atlanta. The closest airports are:
- Rome (RMG), about 10 miles away
- Atlanta (ATL), about 75 miles away
- Chattanooga (CHA), about 90 miles away
Check-in begins Friday at noon, and check-out is Sunday at noon. Arriving early gives you time to settle in, walk the grounds, and ease into the weekend before the energy ramps up.
Packing for the Weekend
Runningman is active, outdoors, and full of movement, so packing with intention helps. Think simple: comfort, layers, and recovery basics.
A solid starter list includes:
- Running shoes you already trust
- Extra socks and breathable layers
- Workout gear for multiple sessions
- A towel for your sauna and shower needs
- Hydration gear and snacks
- Portable chargers for the weekend
Food and drinks are available on-site, and outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are also allowed within cooler size limits. Once you have these basics handled, you can stop thinking about logistics and start getting excited for what the weekend holds.
The Race: Eight Hours, Zero Pressure
Let’s start with the main attraction: race day. The signature Runningman race is not about strict finish times or chasing splits. You can choose distances from a 5K up to a 50K, but the format is what makes it special.
You have a full eight hours to reach your goal, and every completed distance earns a medal. That means you can start with one distance in mind, and if you’re feeling strong, stay on the loop longer. It feels like a shared effort all day, with runners feeding off the community around them.
Recovery: Rest Like You Mean It
Recovery is part of the experience, not something you squeeze in afterward. Runningman makes it a highlight, with the World’s Largest Sauna at the center of it all.
Step into Sauna Village, featuring the World’s Largest Sauna, filled with heat, essential oils, and live DJ sessions. Between rounds, cold immersion plunges help reset your body and bring you back to life.
This is the kind of recovery you usually only find at high-end retreats, except here, it’s built into the weekend.
Breakout Sessions: The Mindset Stuff That Sticks
Between the miles, you can drop into panels and workshops led by trusted wellness pros. These sessions feel less like attending a lecture and more like sitting in on a real conversation, going deeper than the usual race-day advice.
Sessions often focus on:
- Sleep and recovery
- Mental fitness and stress management
- Performance strategies
- Mindfulness and resilience
- Longevity
Past speakers have included Olympian Jeff Galloway, Todd Anderson, Jesse Itzler, Rich Roll, Courtney Dauwalter, and other leaders in movement and health. You’ll leave with habits and insights that last well beyond the weekend.
Live Music: Festival Energy at Full Volume
Live music is part of the soundtrack from morning through afternoon. And when the sun goes down, Runningman leans fully into festival mode, bringing everyone together for a night that feels like a true reward.
Past performers have included Mike Posner, Doug E. Fresh, Bombargo, and Harry Mack. After a full race day, the main stage is where everyone lets loose, celebrates their epic achievements, and keeps the weekend going strong late into the night.
Vendors: A Wellness Expo, But Make It Fun
Runningman’s Experiential Expo feels more like a playground than a marketplace. You’re meant to explore, taste, test, and jump in. Here’s what’s waiting for you:
- Hands-on product demos
- Sampling and tastings
- Recovery lounges and activations
- Exclusive festival-only goods
The expo is also a great place to take a breather, meet people, and discover new favorites you will want to bring home.
Lock In for Runningman 2026
All of it adds up to a weekend that stays with you long after you leave. Runningman Festival 2026 is a rare chance to push your limits, recover deeply, and connect with people who get it. Once the details are handled, you can focus on being fully there.
The next step? Get your ticket squared away, and let the countdown begin.
