85 Motivational Running Quotes: Fuel Your Runs with Inspiration

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1. “Whether a mile or a marathon, you get there the same way… one step at a time. Such is life.

– Baylor Barbee

Baylor Barbee Quote: “Whether a mile or a marathon, you get there the same way… one step at a time. Such is life.”

2. “There is no substitute for hard work. Never give up. Never stop believing. Never stop fighting.

– Hope Hicks

Hope Hicks Quote: “There is no substitute for hard work. Never give up. Never stop believing. Never stop fighting.”

3. “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.

– Zig Ziglar

Zig Ziglar Quote: “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

4. “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.

– Thomas Edison

Thomas Edison Quote: “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”

5. “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.

– Jim Ryun

Jim Ryun Quote: “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.”

6. “Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.

– Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong Quote: “Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.”

7. “The starting point of all achievement is desire.

– Napoleon Hill

Napoleon Hill Quote: “The starting point of all achievement is desire.”

8. “No matter how old I get, the race remains one of life’s most rewarding experiences.

– George Sheehan

George Sheehan Quote: “No matter how old I get, the race remains one of life's most rewarding experiences.”

9. “It’s not about winning, it’s about finishing. That’s what makes us great.

– Meb Keflezighi

Meb Keflezighi Quote: “It’s not about winning, it’s about finishing. That’s what makes us great.”

10. “It doesn’t matter how fast or how far you’re going. If you’re putting on your shoes and going out for a run, you are a runner, you are in that club.

– Kara Goucher

Kara Goucher Quote: “It doesn’t matter how fast or how far you’re going. If you’re putting on your shoes and going out for a run, you are a runner, you are in that club.”

11. “Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.

– Dean Karnazes

Dean Karnazes Quote: “Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.”

12. “Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.

– William Faulkner

William Faulkner Quote: “Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.”

13. “I’m going to work so that it’s a pure guts race at the end, and if it is, I am the only one who can win it.

– Steve Prefontaine

Steve Prefontaine Quote: “I'm going to work so that it's a pure guts race at the end, and if it is, I am the only one who can win it.”

14. “Run like hell and get the agony over with.

– Clarence Demar

Clarence Demar Quote: “Run like hell and get the agony over with.”

15. “Racing is the fun part; it’s the reward of all the hard work.

– Kara Goucher

Kara Goucher Quote: “Racing is the fun part; it's the reward of all the hard work.”

16. “The men who learn endurance, are they who call the whole world, brother.

– Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens Quote: “The men who learn endurance, are they who call the whole world, brother.”

17. “Run often. Run long. But never outrun your joy of running.

– Julie Isphording

Julie Isphording Quote: “Run often. Run long. But never outrun your joy of running.”

18. “Trail running teaches you to embrace discomfort and find strength in adversity.

– Meghan Hicks

Meghan Hicks Quote: “Trail running teaches you to embrace discomfort and find strength in adversity.”

19. “Running is a form of meditation for me. It’s a chance to clear my mind and focus on what’s important.

– Dean Karnazes

Dean Karnazes Quote: “Running is a form of meditation for me. It’s a chance to clear my mind and focus on what’s important.”

20. “Everyone in life is looking for a certain rush. Racing is where I get mine.

– John Trautmann

John Trautmann Quote: “Everyone in life is looking for a certain rush. Racing is where I get mine.”

21. “Don’t compare your chapter one with someone else’s chapter six.

– Ally Love

Ally Love Quote: “Don’t compare your chapter one with someone else’s chapter six.”

22. “The obsession with running is really an obsession with the potential for more and more life.

– George Sheehan

George Sheehan Quote: “The obsession with running is really an obsession with the potential for more and more life.”

23. “One skill that separates good from almost-good runners is an ability to concentrate for an entire race, whether it is a mile or a marathon.

– Kara Goucher

Kara Goucher Quote: “One skill that separates good from almost-good runners is an ability to concentrate for an entire race, whether it is a mile or a marathon.”

24. “Running in the rain brings a peacefulness to the mind, a sense of rejuvenation to the body, and a cleansing to the soul.

– Nancy Sweeney

Nancy Sweeney Quote: “Running in the rain brings a peacefulness to the mind, a sense of rejuvenation to the body, and a cleansing to the soul.”

25. “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities. In the expert’s mind there are few.

– Suzuki Roshi

Suzuki Roshi Quote: “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities. In the expert’s mind there are few.”

26. “To be a good runner, you must first be a good athlete.

– Jay Johnson

Jay Johnson Quote: “To be a good runner, you must first be a good athlete.”

27. “Make sure your own worst enemy doesn’t live between your two ears.

– Laird Hamilton

Laird Hamilton Quote: “Make sure your own worst enemy doesn’t live between your two ears.”

28. “When anyone tells me I can’t do anything, I’m just not listening anymore.

– Florence Griffin

Florence Griffin Quote: “When anyone tells me I can’t do anything, I’m just not listening anymore.”

29. “The difference between a jogger and a runner is an entry blank.

– George Sheehan

George Sheehan Quote: “The difference between a jogger and a runner is an entry blank.”

30. “Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it.

– Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey Quote: “Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it.”

31. “Big occasions and races which have been eagerly anticipated almost to the point of dread, are where great deeds can be accomplished.

– Jack Lovelock

Jack Lovelock Quote: “Big occasions and races which have been eagerly anticipated almost to the point of dread, are where great deeds can be accomplished.”

32. “The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare.

– Juma Inkangaa

Juma Inkangaa Quote: “The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare.”

33. “If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.

– Emil Zatopek

Emil Zatopek Quote: “If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.”

34. “I always tell beginner runners; ‘Train your brain first. It’s much more important than your heart or legs.

– Amby Burfoot

Amby Burfoot Quote: “I always tell beginner runners; ‘Train your brain first. It’s much more important than your heart or legs.”

35. “You didn’t get this far to only go this far.

– Ben Alldis

Ben Alldis Quote: “You didn’t get this far to only go this far.”

36. “The nine inches right here; set it straight and you can beat anybody in the world.

– Sebastian Coe

Sebastian Coe Quote: “The nine inches right here; set it straight and you can beat anybody in the world.”

37. “All runners are tough. Everyone has to have a little fire in them, that even in tough times, can’t be turned off.

– Shalane Flanagan

Shalane Flanagan Quote: “All runners are tough. Everyone has to have a little fire in them, that even in tough times, can’t be turned off.”

38. “Every race is a question, and I never know until the last yards what the answer will be. That’s the lure of racing.

– Joe Henderson

Joe Henderson Quote: “Every race is a question, and I never know until the last yards what the answer will be. That's the lure of racing.”

39. “I’ve learned that it’s what you do with the miles, rather than how many you’ve run.

– Rod Dehaven

Rod Dehaven Quote: “I’ve learned that it’s what you do with the miles, rather than how many you’ve run.”

40. “A race is a work of art that people can look at and be affected in as many ways they’re capable of understanding.

– Steve Prefontaine

Steve Prefontaine Quote: “A race is a work of art that people can look at and be affected in as many ways they're capable of understanding.”

41. “Most people don’t run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second.

– William James

William James Quote: “Most people don’t run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second.”

42. “Take control of your workout and make the decision to succeed.

– Matt Wilpers

Matt Wilpers Quote: “Take control of your workout and make the decision to succeed.”

43. “Climb mountains, not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world

– David Mccoullough Jr

David Mccoullough Jr Quote: “Climb mountains, not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world”

44. “Fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run.

– Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling Quote: “Fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run.”

45. “The real purpose of running isn’t to win a race. It’s to test the limits of the human heart.

– Bill Bowerman

Bill Bowerman Quote: “The real purpose of running isn't to win a race. It's to test the limits of the human heart.”

46. “Fast running isn’t forced. You have to relax and let the run come out of you.

– Desiree Linden

Desiree Linden Quote: “Fast running isn’t forced. You have to relax and let the run come out of you.”

47. “Why race? The need to be tested, perhaps; the need to take risks; and the chance to be number one.

– George Sheehan

George Sheehan Quote: “Why race? The need to be tested, perhaps; the need to take risks; and the chance to be number one.”

48. “No marathon gets easier later. The halfway point only marks the end of the beginning.

– Joe Henderson

Joe Henderson Quote: “No marathon gets easier later. The halfway point only marks the end of the beginning.”

49. “Trail running is about getting out into nature, exploring new trails and pushing yourself to new limits.

– Scott Jurek

Scott Jurek Quote: “Trail running is about getting out into nature, exploring new trails and pushing yourself to new limits.”

50. “It’s a treat being a runner, out in the world by yourself with not a soul to make you bad-tempered or tell you what to do.

– Alan Sillitoe

Alan Sillitoe Quote: “It’s a treat being a runner, out in the world by yourself with not a soul to make you bad-tempered or tell you what to do.”

51. “A runner must run with dreams in his heart, not money in his pocket.

– Emil Zatopek

Emil Zatopek Quote: “A runner must run with dreams in his heart, not money in his pocket.”

52. “I also realize that winning doesn’t always mean getting first place; it means getting the best out of yourself.

– Meb Keflezighi

Meb Keflezighi Quote: “I also realize that winning doesn't always mean getting first place; it means getting the best out of yourself.”

53. “The only way to define your limits is by going beyond them.

– Arthur Clarke

Arthur Clarke Quote: “The only way to define your limits is by going beyond them.”

54. “Some people will run in the rain, others will just get wet.

– Roger Miller

Roger Miller Quote: “Some people will run in the rain, others will just get wet.”

55. “I run because it’s my passion, and not just a physical exercise. It’s a way to quiet my mind and rejuvenate my soul.

– John Bingham

John Bingham Quote: “I run because it’s my passion, and not just a physical exercise. It’s a way to quiet my mind and rejuvenate my soul.”

56. “You have to forget your last marathon before you try another. Your mind can’t know what’s coming.

– Frank Shorter

Frank Shorter Quote: “You have to forget your last marathon before you try another. Your mind can’t know what’s coming.”

57. “You can’t win a race by looking behind you, and you can’t win at life by looking behind you either.

– Lauren Fleshman

Lauren Fleshman Quote: “You can’t win a race by looking behind you, and you can’t win at life by looking behind you either.”

58. “When you run the marathon, you run against the distance, not against the other runners and not against the time.

– Haile Gebrselassie

Haile Gebrselassie Quote: “When you run the marathon, you run against the distance, not against the other runners and not against the time.”

59. “Running allows me to set my mind free. Nothing seems impossible. Nothing unattainable.

– Kara Goucher

Kara Goucher Quote: “Running allows me to set my mind free. Nothing seems impossible. Nothing unattainable.”

60. “Running should be a lifelong activity. Approach it patiently and intelligently, and it will reward you for a long, long time.

– Michael Sargent

Michael Sargent Quote: “Running should be a lifelong activity. Approach it patiently and intelligently, and it will reward you for a long, long time.”

61. “Fear is gradually replaced by excitement and a simple desire to see what you can do on the day.

– Lauren Fleshman

Lauren Fleshman Quote: “Fear is gradually replaced by excitement and a simple desire to see what you can do on the day.”

62. “Trail running is the antidote to a world addicted to speed.

– Christopher Mcdougall

Christopher Mcdougall Quote: “Trail running is the antidote to a world addicted to speed.”

63. “You are truly your own hero in running. It is up to you to have the responsibility and self–discipline to get the job done.

– Adam Goucher

Adam Goucher Quote: “You are truly your own hero in running. It is up to you to have the responsibility and self–discipline to get the job done.”

64. “My whole feeling in terms of racing is that you have to be very bold. You sometimes have to be aggressive and gamble.

– Bill Rodgers

Bill Rodgers Quote: “My whole feeling in terms of racing is that you have to be very bold. You sometimes have to be aggressive and gamble.”

65. “The danger of adventure is worth a thousand days of ease and comfort.

– Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho Quote: “The danger of adventure is worth a thousand days of ease and comfort.”

66. “I often hear someone say, ‘I’m not a real runner.’ We are all runners, some just run faster than others. I never met a fake runner.

– Bart Yasso

Bart Yasso Quote: “I often hear someone say, ‘I’m not a real runner.’ We are all runners, some just run faster than others. I never met a fake runner.”

67. “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.

– John Bingham

John Bingham Quote: “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”

68. “When I run, I am in touch with my deepest self. I feel alive and invincible.

– Deena Kastor

Deena Kastor Quote: “When I run, I am in touch with my deepest self. I feel alive and invincible.”

69. “Run into your unknown.

– Becs Gentry

Becs Gentry Quote: “Run into your unknown.”

70. “If you want to become the best runner you can be, start now. Don’t spend the rest of your life wondering if you can do it.

– Priscilla Welch

Priscilla Welch Quote: “If you want to become the best runner you can be, start now. Don’t spend the rest of your life wondering if you can do it.”

71. “Running is in my blood—the adrenaline flows before the races, the love/hate of butterflies in your stomach.

– Marcus O’sullivan

Marcus O'sullivan Quote: “Running is in my blood—the adrenaline flows before the races, the love/hate of butterflies in your stomach.”

72. “We are designed to run, and we increase our chance of daily happiness when we do so.

– Jeff Galloway

Jeff Galloway Quote: “We are designed to run, and we increase our chance of daily happiness when we do so.”

73. “Never limit where running can take you. I mean that geographically, spiritually, and of course, physically.

– Bart Yasso

Bart Yasso Quote: “Never limit where running can take you. I mean that geographically, spiritually, and of course, physically.”

74. “Good things come slow—especially in distance running.

– Bill Dellinger

Bill Dellinger Quote: “Good things come slow—especially in distance running.”

75. “Feel your run. Feel your race. Feel the joy that is running.

– Kara Goucher

Kara Goucher Quote: “Feel your run. Feel your race. Feel the joy that is running.”

76. “The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive and passion, it’s possible to achieve the American dream.

– Tommy Hilfiger

Tommy Hilfiger Quote: “The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive and passion, it's possible to achieve the American dream.”

77. “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.

– C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis Quote: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

78. “I don’t run to add days to my life, I run to add life to my days.

– Ronald Rook

Ronald Rook Quote: “I don’t run to add days to my life, I run to add life to my days.”

79. “Be fearless in trying new things, whether they are physical, mental, or emotional, since being afraid can challenge you to go to the next level.

– Rita Wilson

Rita Wilson Quote: “Be fearless in trying new things, whether they are physical, mental, or emotional, since being afraid can challenge you to go to the next level.”

80. “Remember, the feeling you get from a good run is far better than the feeling you get from sitting around wishing you were running.

– Sarah Condor

Sarah Condor Quote: “Remember, the feeling you get from a good run is far better than the feeling you get from sitting around wishing you were running.”

81. “Mental will is a muscle that needs exercise, just like the muscles of the body.

– Lynn Jennings

Lynn Jennings Quote: “Mental will is a muscle that needs exercise, just like the muscles of the body.”

82. “Success isn’t given. It’s earned. On the track, on the field, in the gym. With blood, sweat, and the occasional tear.

– Nike

Nike Quote: “Success isn’t given. It’s earned. On the track, on the field, in the gym. With blood, sweat, and the occasional tear.”

83. “It’s at the borders of pain and suffering that the men are separated from the boys.

– Emil Zatopek

Emil Zatopek Quote: “It’s at the borders of pain and suffering that the men are separated from the boys.”

84. “Once you’re beat mentally, you might as well not even go to the starting line.

– Todd Williams

Todd Williams Quote: “Once you're beat mentally, you might as well not even go to the starting line.”

85. “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s determination.

– Tommy Lasorda

Tommy Lasorda Quote: “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s determination.”
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The authors behind the website "Best Quotes From" are a small group of individuals with diverse interests. They have come together to curate a collection of the most famous quotes from different domains.