Apple has brought back its annual Global Running Day challenge for 2026 — and this year it comes with a new Fitness+ workout, Strava rewards, and four animated stickers you’ll actually want to share.
Every June, Apple uses Global Running Day to nudge its Watch users off the couch and onto the pavement. The 2026 edition is no different, but Apple has packed in more than just a badge this time. From a brand-new treadmill interval session on Fitness+ to a four-week strength programme in partnership with Strava, there’s something for runners of every level — whether you’re training for an ultramarathon or attempting your very first 5K.
How to earn the Apple Watch badge
The process is simple. Completing the Global Running Day challenge requires logging a running workout of at least 5K (3.1 miles). You can run on the road, trails, or a treadmill — it all counts.
01
Open the Workout app on your Apple Watch
02
Log an outdoor or treadmill run of at least 5K
03
Workout syncs to Apple Health automatically
04
Badge appears in your Fitness app
Third-party running apps should also work if they write workout data to Health, giving users flexibility if they prefer apps such as Strava or Nike Run Club over Apple’s own Workout app.
What rewards do you get?
Digital award badge
A limited-edition 2026 Global Running Day award in your Fitness app
4 animated stickers
Someone in a dinosaur costume, two runners, a person with their dog, and the colourful award itself
iMessage stickers
Share your achievement directly in Messages after completing the challenge
New Fitness+ workouts added for Global Running Day
Apple didn’t just bring back the badge — it also added new content to Fitness+ to mark the occasion. The new Treadmill workout for June includes six all-out intervals lasting 30 seconds each, led by Fitness+ trainer Sherica Holman, joined by Danielle Burnett — “Big Girls Who Run” run club founder and Strava celebrated athlete.
What’s new on Fitness+ this week
Treadmill intervals — Sherica Holman & Danielle Burnett
Six 30-second all-out intervals. Perfect for building speed and cardiovascular endurance.
Strength for Runners — 4-week programme (Strava x Apple)
A dedicated strength plan designed to improve running performance, available to all users including non-Fitness+ subscribers.
Yoga for Runners
Targeted mobility and recovery sessions to complement your training schedule.
Time to Run audio routes
Immersive narrated running experiences from iconic global locations, available without a screen.
The Strava challenge — bonus rewards
Strava and Runna have partnered for a separate Global Running Day 5K challenge. To earn it, a Runna account must be linked to the Strava app, and you must run 5K with the Strava app active on your Apple Watch within 24 hours.
Bonus: Recording a run of 5K or more on Strava today unlocks free Runna Premium access for two weeks — Runna is widely considered one of the best AI-powered running plan apps available right now.
How much does Apple Fitness+ cost?
The new Treadmill workout and Strength for Runners programme are part of Apple Fitness+. Apple Fitness+ is available for $9.99/month or $79.99/year, and is also included in the Apple One Premier bundle. Indian users can access it for ₹149/month or ₹999/year.
$9.99 / month$79.99 / year₹149 / month (India)₹999 / year (India)Included in Apple One Premier
Why this matters beyond a badge
These limited-edition awards sit somewhere between a digital sticker and a behavioural nudge — which is probably why they work better than they should. Apple has been running this challenge since 2024, and it’s becoming a firm fixture in its yearly fitness calendar alongside Earth Day and International Dance Day challenges.
The timing is also notable: Global Running Day 2026 falls precisely one week before Apple’s WWDC keynote, where the company is expected to reveal watchOS 13 — with strong rumours pointing to heavily integrated contextual AI coaching in the native Fitness platform. Today’s challenge is a neat preview of where Apple’s fitness ambitions are heading.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner or someone who hasn’t laced up in months, a 5K is an achievable, satisfying target. The badge is just the excuse.
