Apple celebrates Global Running Day with a new Apple Watch reward – how to get it

Calling all Apple Watch-obsessed runners: Wednesday, June 4, is Global Running Day, and you can get a digital award for recording your run.

If Apple Watch users record a run of at least 3.1 miles on June 4, they will earn a digital award. These awards look like digital badges that can be viewed in the Awards tab of the Fitness app. They can also come with animated stickers that people can send through iMessages. The workout can be recorded on any app that is compatible with the Apple Health app.

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In celebration of the running day, Apple Fitness+ is launching a few new Time to Run episodes that feature locations from around the world, like Central Park, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, and Edinburgh.

Starting June 2, a special section of Time to Run episodes will feature iconic destinations all around the globe. Users can lace up and run wherever they are, inspired by playlists, coaching, and photos from locations such as Central Park, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, and Edinburgh. Fitness+ also launches a yoga-for-runners program with runner Scott Jurek. The six 10-minute guided exercise sessions focus on running posture, balance, and mobility, and can be done before or after a run, according to the press release.

Running is one of the most popular forms of exercise, according to data from Statista. Requiring only a pair of exercise shoes, it’s also one of the more accessible ways to stay active. In the US, there are around 50 million runners and joggers.

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Despite running’s widespread popularity, it can feel intimidating for beginners to take their first steps.

Apple Watch includes several runner-friendly features to get beginners and pros pounding pavement, like Custom Workouts for interval training and mid-run alerts, the Pacer feature for setting and sticking to a desired pace, Automatic track detection that instantly captures when you’re running on a standard-shaped outdoor track, Race Route for recording results on repeated routes, and Training Load for comparing workout intensity with data from the past 28 days to evaluate whether you’re on track or straining your body.

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