Global Running Day - The Big Run! 2025
Global Running Day is always the first Wednesday in June, and for five of the last seven years, I’ve been at the 5K and kids’ run put on by my local Fleet Feet — one year as a runner, four years as a photographer.
And it seems strange that this has become such a tradition in my local running community and in my life, and yet it’s never made it onto this blog.
So ta-da!
I first photographed the event back in 2019, which was the second year The Big Run was held nationally by Fleet Feet on Global Running Day. Back then, the race was held at a local school and church in Chapel Hill, with loops around some quiet roads and across sports fields. In 2021 I ran it myself (with a hill repeat up Laurel Hill just for funsies for a warmup, ha!). Gosh, that year was memorable; I can’t tell you what a celebration it was to come together, the first time most of us had raced or seen our running community in over a year.
The Big Run 5K back in 2019
The Big Run 5K in 2019
In 2022 the local event was moved to Hillsborough, starting and ending on the historic speedway, and in 2023 the start/end was moved to downtown Hillsborough (though the 5K course still goes around the speedway). I was out of town in 2023, but I took photos of the race in 2022, 2024, and again this year.
The Big Run 5K in 2022 on the speedway
The Big Run 5K in 2022 on the speedway
In 2022, The Big Run included a kids’ race
It’s been an amazing experience to come back to this same race year after year. Of course, I’m always excited to see my running friends and cheer on athletes who have participated in training groups I’ve mentored or coached (such as the trails program). But there’s something about seeing acquaintances or familiar faces — people whose names I don’t know — come back year after year. I recognize them: the ones who said, “that was my first ever 5K, I did it!” as they celebrated at the finish line, or who I recognize from my gallery of edited photos. “Oh! I have a similar pic of this person from last year, that’s amazing!” I think to myself and grin. The same unmistakable smiles as they crossed the finish line year after year, the same people congregating in excited huddles after the race, but also new faces, new accomplishments. There’s a joy in the tradition, and an excitement that there will always be something new to celebrate and remember.
Then - 2024
Then - 2024 Fleet Feet training group participants at the race
Then - the 2024 race start
Then - 2024 podium finisher
Then - 2024 friends post-race
Then - cheers and peace signs in 2024
And now - 2025
And now - 2025 Fleet Feet training group participants at the race
Now - the 2024 race start
Now - 2025 first place
Now - 2025 friends post-race
Now - peace, love, and running in 2025
“But there’s something about seeing acquaintances or familiar faces — people whose names I don’t know — come back year after year...[T]he ones who said, “that was my first ever 5K, I did it!” as they celebrated at the finish line, or who I recognize from my gallery of edited photos...The same unmistakable smiles as they crossed the finish line year after year, the same people congregating in excited huddles after the race.”
Now - smiles through the finish line with bubbles!
But what’s really incredible is watching the kids grow up. My local Fleet Feet store offers a Mini Milers play-based program for kids, and each year, they host a kids’ run as part of The Big Run. And I see these kids come back year after year, toddling around with a guardian and grinning at the crowd one year, and then one year they’re excitedly crossing the finish line on their own, and then another year they’re participating in the 5K!
Then - 2024 before the kids’ run
Then - 2024 kids’ run warm-up
Then - 2024 kids’ run start
Then - 2024 Mini Milers coach ready with medals
Now - 2025 before the kids’ run
Now - 2025 kids’ run warm-up
Now - 2025 kids’ run start
Now - 2025 Mini Milers coaches ready with medals
Then - 2022 kids’ run
2024 kids’ run
2025 5K run
2022 kids’ run
2024 kids’ run
2025 5K run
It is such a privilege to witness a running community like this year after year, and I am so grateful for a community that has given so much to me, and that I hope to continue to give back to year after year.
Photos of the 2022, 2024, and 2025 The Big Run Hillsborough, NC event are available on public galleries here:
And a gallery of highlight photos from this year is available below:
Have you ever participated in Global Running Day or The Big Run? Let me know in the comments!
Global Running Day is always the first Wednesday in June, and for five of the last seven years, I’ve been at the 5K and kids’ run put on by my local Fleet Feet — one year as a runner, four years as a photographer.