From the Color Run to Tough Mudder: 20 obstacle courses and fun runs to get you moving

by Sienna Vance

Published Mar. 17, 2016, 2:59 p.m. ET

Exercise doesn't have to be mundane. Who needs the treadmill when you can be doused in color or have an excuse to roll around in the mud?

All prices listed are for day of registration but most offer discounts for early entry. Check the websites for details.

Pro tip: Many obstacle courses encourage you to participate with a team. So get your neighbors, coworkers or buddies together and start training.

» READ MORE: Philly Rabbit Run

March 26, Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave., $40.

Run as fast as a rabbit through the Philadelphia Zoo. This 5K's perks include admission to the zoo, rabbit ears, live music and a chance to support the fight against Parkinson's disease. During the run, you can see some of the zoo's 1200 rare and endangered animals and 42 of its lush gardens.

» READ MORE: Hot Chocolate 5K/15K

April 2, Eakins Oval, 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, $54 (5K), $74 (15K).

Complete a 5K or 15K and get rewarded in chocolate. After crossing the finish line, hang with your fellow chocaholics at the post-race party with a live DJ and hot chocolate inflatables, and receive a Finisher Mug filled with chocolate fondue, dippable snacks and decadent hot chocolate.

Sasquatch, 8 p.m., April 2, Camp Edge, 26 Camp Edge Rd. Alloway, NJ, $40.
Sasquatch's Sister, 9 a.m., April 9, Camp Edge, $20.

For all you Big Foot believers out there, here's your chance to `catch' the elusive Sasquatch. In this 3 mile hunt, use a headlamp or flashlight to spot the big guy at night. Sign up for Sasquatch's Sister's trail if you prefer clear scenic views or hunting in the morning. Whichever trail you choose, get a selfie with one of the fur balls to prove all your friends wrong.

» READ MORE: Race Roll Dye

April 3, 22 Tomlinson Road, Huntingdon Valley, Pa. $65.

This 5K obstacle course is filled with colorful dye stations. At the finishing line party, you will receive a bag of dye to make yourself an even more colorful. There's a bunch in the area this season including Coatesville (April 16), Medford (May 1) and Wildwood (July 30).

» READ MORE: Out and Back Party Run

Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, 3500 Reservoir Drive, $35

Run a 5K race in Fairmount Park and celebrate with a party fit for the whole family right after at Smith Memorial Playground. Enjoy free food, frosty beverages and live music from local band, Hidden Agenda. Proceeds from the race go to the ALS Hope Foundation.

» READ MORE: Goliathon

May 14, Gloucester County 4H Fairgrounds, 265 Bridgeton Pike (Route 77), $107

This isn't just a race, but a way to support charity: water, a non-profit that brings clean drinking water to people in developing countries. The four mile race has three tracks to accommodate all abilities.

» READ MORE: Night Nation Run

May 14, Talen Energy Stadium, 1 Stadium Drive, Chester, Pa., $60.

Dubbed the world's first running music festival, Night Nation adds live music, lights and lasers to the traditional 5K. Run, walk or skip through an illuminated race course that ends with an EDM concert. You don't even have to wait until the main stage to enjoy the music. There will be multiple EDM DJs stationed throughout the course.

May 14, Field House, 1150 Filbert St., $55

This competition, styled like CBS's The Amazing Race, puts both your physical fitness and intelligence to the test. Teams scramble across the city, deciphering tricky puzzles and exploring Philly's hidden gems.

» READ MORE: Philly Tough Mudder

May 21 & 22, Plantation Field, 329 Apple Grove Rd., Coatesville, Pa., $220

This muddy obstacle course lets you run through rolling hills, hay fields, trees and creeks in the beautiful Brandywine Valley. Spectators are encouraged to attend because participants will need all the support they can get. Why? Because they'll have to conquer obstacles like electroshock therapy, where a sea of dangling wires delivers 10,000 volt shocks to runners.

» READ MORE: Muck Fest MS

June 4 & 5, The Glen Mills Schools, 185 Glen Mills Road, $70 (Saturday), $65 (Sunday).

Conquer 18 obstacles for a good cause. When your team crosses the finish line, celebrate with cold beverage in the festival area. Proceeds from the run go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

» READ MORE: Color Me Rad

June 5, Philadelphia Mills Mall, 1455 Franklin Mills Circle, $55.

Participants in this 5K race will be coated in liquids, powders and gels featuring an array of 1990s-themed colors. The new Slime Station even channels 1990s Nickelodeon.

» READ MORE: The Super Run

June 11, Navy Yard, 4747 S Broad St #120, $5 (individual), $29 (team member).

Dress up as Batman or Wonder Woman for this superhero themed 5K. You can run to save the day with your registration, which will be used to support non-profit organizations and charities. All participants will receive a complimentary cape that they can wear with their costumes. Princeton has their own Super Run on May 14.

» READ MORE: The Color Run

June 12, Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way, $29.99-$49.99.

The Color Run is bringing its Tropicolor world tour to Philly. The event allows you take a 5K vacation by running through tropical scented color powders, inflatable palm trees and sand beach chairs. Complete with photo ops.

» READ MORE: Battlefrog

July 30, Philadelphia-area location TBD, $110.

This intense 8K course, designed by former Navy SEALs and SeaBees, features at least 25 obstacle that are designed to be fun and mentally engaging. The race also features a festival area, food and fitness vendors.

» READ MORE: Terrain Racing

Aug. 6, 230 Pension Rd, Englishtown, NJ, $30 (Kids 5K), $60 (5K), $65 (10K).

Monkey bars, cargo nets, climbing walls, balance beams and barbed wire are only a few of the obstacles you'll encounter. There are options for a 5K, or a 10K, and even little ones have their own short course to run through. Pay and extra $15 and go through the course as many times as you want.

» READ MORE: Glow in the Dark 5k Walk/Run

Aug. 20, Cooper River Parks, 5300 N. Park Drive, Pennsauken Township, NJ $45.

Light up the night! All participants will receive headbands, finger lights, necklaces and other light up accoutrements to give their run a bit of kick.

» READ MORE: The Color Vibe

Aug. 21, Philadelphia Mills Mall, 1455 Franklin Mills Circle, $65 (team), $70 (individual).

The Color Vibe is a classic color run with a dance party at the end. Run through four different color zones and get blasted with a color powder each time you enter one. Kids 12 and under can run for free.

» READ MORE: Run Now, Wine Later

September 18, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St., $59.02.

At the end of this 5K course, celebrate your victory at the Run Now, Wine Later festival, featuring local wine, craft beer and cider vendors. Finishers will receive a wine pourer medal that they can use for their own bottles at home.

» READ MORE: Run and Ride

Oct. 2, Dorney Park, 3830 Dorney Park Rd, Allentown, Pa, various prices

Start off your day with an energizing run and then head to some thrilling roller coasters in the afternoon. Run a 5K, a 10K or a half marathon course that takes you through the park before it even opens. Registration for the race includes a ticket to the park.

» READ MORE: The Spartan Race

September 24, Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way, $109.

This popular obstacle course franchise brings Philly the Reebok Spartan Sprint, its shortest distance course. The race includes more than 20 signature Spartan obstacles-some of which could include a barbed wire crawl or even a fire jump.