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The Essential Rules Pro Coaches and Marathon Globetrotters Follow for a Perfect Destination Race

By Allison Arnold Men's Journal

Updated June 18, 2026 8:30 AM

Destination races are growing in popularity amongst adventurous athletes who can simultaneously add to their medal collection while checking a must-visit city off their list. Call it optimization or an excuse to travel, but the race-cation industry is taking off even beyond the World Marathon Majors.

"It's a great way to go to a city and see it in a way that you wouldn't if you're in a car or a motorized vehicle of any kind," says Channing Muller, RRCA-certified run coach.

Jeff Adams, president of Marathon Tours & Travel, says that destination races have surged in popularity, fueled by changing attitudes toward travel and new generations of runners, many of whom place value on experiences over possessions. "For them, a race is no longer just about the finish line–it's part of a bigger journey," he says.

You might not need any persuading to enter the lottery to run the streets of Copenhagen, but there are some hurdles that come with the territory of racing anywhere that's not home turf. Aside from travel delays and logistics, there's also jet lag and variations in climate or altitude that your body has to adapt to in a performance setting.

But the fundamentals still hold true, Adams says. "Stay hydrated, be consistent with your eating, prioritize sleep, and trust your training. When those are dialed in, you can perform anywhere in the world."

Just like a solid training program, thoughtful planning for a long-haul trip can lead to success and maybe even a PR. Here are the key rules marathoners and run coaches abide by.

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How Running Coaches Prepare for the Unique Demands of Racing Abroad

Train for the Environment

You're likely already looking at the race course and terrain to guide your training plan. Rolling hills will warrant hill repeats, and rocky trails will require strong ankles for stabilization. But there are other environmental factors to consider if you're not racing locally.

Climate can vary widely, and depending on the race, your training block could extend into another season. That being said, there are ways to simulate the race day environment and prep your body ahead of time. Muller advises clients training in a cold climate, but racing in a hot, humid destination to run indoors wearing layers to help simulate the race day environment and train the body.

High altitudes bring other challenges due to decreased oxygen and dry air, which can affect your hydration, decrease VO2 max, and even lead to acute mountain sickness. Practical guides to high altitude training can help with preparation techniques, such as incorporating heat training and high-intensity workouts.

Arrive and Adapt Early

Whether you're racing one or four time zones away, it's recommended to get there early. This not only provides a buffer for potential travel delays but also gives your body time to adapt.

In general, for every time zone you cross, it takes about a day to adjust, with traveling west being easier than moving east. One way to help ease the transition is to start shifting your bedtime in the days leading up to take-off.

If the destination you're going to is high in altitude, getting the lay of the land ahead of time is even more important. At high altitude, the drop in atmospheric pressure means every breath delivers less oxygen, forcing your body to work significantly harder and requiring extra time, hydration, and nutrition to safely adapt without getting sick.

"For races in places like Bhutan or Patagonia, I build in extra days to hike, explore, and adjust to the environment," Adams says. During this time, he prioritizes high-quality sleep, hydration, and nutrition. Although this might not be feasible for everyone, he says that light activity at a higher elevation coupled with sleeping at a lower altitude can also help acclimate.

Bring Your Own Race Fuel

Nutrition is never something you want to experiment with on race day. Even if you want to travel light, you can't always guarantee you'll find the same gels or snacks. Muller, who is a big fan of candy and gummy bears, says to look at the ingredient labels and the carb content, which can vary depending on where you are.

Pay Attention To What You Put In Your Body

Part of the fun in traveling for a race is experiencing a new place, its culture, and cuisine. Maybe it's a stein of beer in Germany, fish and chips in London, or street tacos in Mexico City. But in the days leading up to the event, as with any local race, you want to pay attention to what you're consuming.

Muller recommends looking for food and drinks that your body typically does well with and finding ways to avoid the local culture without ingesting foods your body can't tolerate.

Race Day Kit

Think of the race day kit as the answer to any problem that might derail your performance or recovery. Muller's version is a labeled plastic bag stocked with everything from Biofreeze packets and Pepto-Bismol tablets to safety pins and a mini pot of Vaseline. And if you plan on heading right from the finish line to celebrations, you might want to add body wipes and clean clothes to avoid sweat-induced skin irritation.

Make A Checklist

As with any trip, you likely make at least a mental list of what to pack, but Muller stresses the importance of a detailed physical list on a piece of paper or your phone that you can actually check off. She recalls a scenario that could have benefited from a checklist: someone packed the carrier for their handheld water bottle but left the bottle at home.

"I think it can be really easy to overpack, but on the flip side, depending on where you travel, forgetting a necessity (glasses, medication) can be expensive," says Kristen Hislop, AFAA CPT, USAT Level 1 certified triathlon coach. When making a checklist, she recommends starting with the race website, then searching for tips on Reddit, researching the weather, and walking through your daily schedule.

Pack Race Day Essentials In Your Carry-On

If you're a frequent traveler, you've likely experienced delayed or lost luggage at least once. And arriving at your destination after months of training without your race shoes isn't something you want to leave to chance.

One of the biggest mistakes, Adams says, is packing essential race gear in checked bags. "Keep all critical race items in your carry-on: shoes, race kit, nutrition, and medications," he adds. "These are items you can't risk losing or trying to replace last-minute."

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Fitness section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 7:18 AM.