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35 Inspirational Running Quotes to Power You Through Every Mile

These quotes provide the boost you need when the going (er, running) gets tough.

By Brigitt Earley23 February 2024

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Running is multidimensional: It's freeing yet demanding, energizing yet tiring, fun yet challenging—the list could go on. So in moments of doubt or fatigue during your running journey—whether you're starting a new jogging program after a long hiatus or hitting a plateau during marathon training—inspirational running quotes can provide the motivation and encouragement you need to push through blockers and achieve your goals.

“Athletes, particularly runners, often seek external sources of motivation to combat the monotony that can accompany running,” says Rachel Goldberg, LMFT, founder of Rachel Goldberg Therapy in Los Angeles. “Long-distance running, in particular, can entail extended periods of solitude, making motivational quotes invaluable for maintaining inspiration and positivity.”

Some quotes underscore the importance of mental resilience in overcoming physical limitations while other phrases aim to reframe your running mindset, fostering gratitude and redirecting focus towards the privilege of participating in the sport. But no matter their theme, these quotes serve as powerful tools for transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and achievement.

Inspirational Running Quotes

If you could use a little extra pep in your step—or even just a reason to show up to today’s jog— check out these inspiring quotes about running: 

  1. “Run into your unknown.” —Becs Gentry

  2. “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” – John Bingham

  3. “That’s the thing about running: your greatest runs are rarely measured by racing success. They are moments in time when running allows you to see how wonderful your life is.” —Kara Goucher

  4. “You didn’t get this far to only go this far.” —Ben Alldis

  5. “I don’t run to add days to my life, I run to add life to my days.” —Ronald Rook

  6. “Good things come slow—especially in distance running.” —Bill Dellinger 

  7. “I often hear someone say, ‘I’m not a real runner.’ We are all runners, some just run faster than others. I never met a fake runner.” —Bart Yasso

  8. “Your mind is your strongest muscle.” —Tunde Oyeneyin

  9. “Run often. Run long. But never outrun your joy of running.” —Julie Isphording 

  10. “Don’t dream of winning, train for it!” —Mo Farah 

  11. “In running, it doesn’t matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, ‘I have finished.’ There is a lot of satisfaction in that.” — Fred Lebow 

  12. “Take control of your workout and make the decision to succeed.” —Matt Wilpers

  13. “Whether a mile or a marathon, you get there the same way… one step at a time. Such is life.” – Baylor Barbee

  14. “The benefits and opportunities of running are available to anyone. You don’t have to be born a natural athlete, and you don’t have to be uniquely gifted. A life-shaping experience is there for the taking, waiting right outside your door.” —Donald Buraglio and Michael Dove

  15. “Fight fatigue with focus.” —Andy Speer

  16. “We are designed to run, and we increase our chance of daily happiness when we do so.” —Jeff Galloway

  17.  “It’s very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit.” —George Sheehan

  18. “I run because it’s so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you can’t. But then you find your inner strength, and realize you’re capable of so much more than you thought.” —Arthur Blank

  19. “Don’t compare your chapter one with someone else’s chapter six.” —Ally Love

  20. “Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it.” — Oprah Winfrey

  21. “Our running shoes have magic in them. The power to transform a bad day into a good day; frustration into speed; self-doubt into confidence; chocolate cake into muscle.” —Mina Samuels

  22. “Fast running isn’t forced. You have to relax and let the run come out of you.” —Desiree Linden

  23. "You can’t be upset at the results you didn’t get for the work you didn’t do.” —Jess Sims

  24. “Never limit where running can take you. I mean that geographically, spiritually, and of course, physically.” —Bart Yasso

  25. “What I've learned from running is that the time to push hard is when you're hurting like crazy and you want to give up. … Success is often just around the corner.” —James Dyson

  26. “Every run is a work of art, a drawing on each day’s canvas. Some runs are shouts and some runs are whispers. Some runs are eulogies and others celebrations.” —Dagny Scott Barrios

  27. “Train smart. Train hard. Have fun!” —Matt Wilpers

  28. “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.” —Fred DeVito

  29. “We all have bad days and bad workouts, when running gets ugly, when split times seem slow, when you wonder why you started. It will pass.” —Hal Higdon

  30. “You are truly your own hero in running. It is up to you to have the responsibility and self–discipline to get the job done.” – Adam Goucher

  31. “I’ve learned that it’s what you do with the miles, rather than how many you’ve run” —Rod DeHaven

  32. “The pain you feel today will show itself as strength tomorrow.” —Tunde Oyeneyin

  33. “Mental will is a muscle that needs exercise, just like the muscles of the body.” —Lynn Jennings

  34. “It was being a runner that mattered, not how fast or how far I could run. The joy was in the act of running and in the journey, not in the destination.” —John Bingham

  35. “If your legs are tired, run with your heart!” —Tobias Heinze

A woman happily running outside while listening to headphones. Read inspirational running quotes in this article.

gradyreese / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

How Can Inspirational Running Quotes Help Motivate You?

When it comes to a sport like running, it’s easy to get in your head. But try not to let negative self-talk set you back. Instead, turn to inspirational running quotes, motivational instructors, and your inner drive to help you remember why you run in the first place. These tactics can encourage you to stay focused on crushing your goals during times when you feel like calling it quits. 

Motivational running quotes, in particular, are designed to help athletes improve their performance by taking a more positive approach. “Think of motivational quotes as a form of positive affirmation,” Goldberg says. “They help individuals shift their mindset from doubt or negativity to confidence and determination.”

Another great way to stay on track? Logging into the Peloton App (which you can download for free!). It not only helps you stay on track with scheduled classes and a wide array of running collections—from marathon training to beginner running classes and beyond—but it also boasts renowned instructors known for their inspirational and motivational coaching styles. 

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute individualized advice. It is not intended to replace professional medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the advice of your physician for questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. If you are having a medical emergency, call your physician or 911 immediately.

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