Summer miles are steamy, sweaty, and sticky, which means you’re most likely welcoming the first days of fall—and weather that’s not so warm—with open arms.

The first time you step outside on a cool morning, when the temperature is neither too hot nor too cold, is quite literally a breath of fresh air. There’s nothing quite like that first run in *perfect* temps, or a run surrounded by views of the leaves changing color.

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And the weather comes just in time for the fall racing season. Whether you’re running a major marathon or a local Turkey trot, you’ll reap the golden benefits of autumn.

Here are eight more reasons why fall is the actual best season for runners.


Cool mornings have you jumping out of bed.

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You’re no longer sweating buckets on your training runs...

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...so you get to wear your cold-weather apparel.

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Every run is a color run.

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Sometimes you just can’t resist frolicking in the leaves.

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There’s nothing quite like ending a run with a PSL...

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...or pretty much any other pumpkin-flavored thing.

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Oh, and did we mention the food? Because there’s a lot of food.

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Hannah McGoldrick

Hannah is a former Social Media Editor for Runner’s World. Hannah started running in February 2012 with a Couch-to-5K program and less than seven months later ran her first half-marathon. You can follow Hannah on Twitter @byHannahMcG.