Earn Apple – Apple is bringing back its limited-edition Global Running Day badge for Apple Watch. Complete at least a 5K—logged to Apple Health—before midnight on June 3, and the virtual badge will pop up in the Fitness app.
For a lot of people, the day doesn’t start with motivation. It starts with “I’ll do it later.”
That’s exactly why Apple’s limited-edition Global Running Day badge is back on Apple Watch—one shiny, animated reminder that a run you’ve been putting off can still happen before the clock wins.
The deal is simple: Apple Watch owners can earn the digital badge by logging at least a 5K. or 3.1 miles. on Global Running Day. June 3. before midnight. The miles can be recorded on the road, trails, or treadmill. Apple says any app that logs workouts to Apple Health is eligible. but recording directly through the built-in Workout app on your watch is the safest way to make sure the badge appears right after the run.
There’s no physical prize waiting at the finish line. This is virtual bragging rights inside the Fitness app—an animated badge that shows up on your wrist. For runners who’ve stalled all week, that moment of the badge appearing can be the nudge that turns “someday” into a scheduled run.
If you need a reason to make that 5K feel more meaningful. Apple built the badge into a larger running toolkit. The Apple Watch isn’t a dedicated running watch. but it does come with training features inside the Workout app. including pace alerts. heart rate zones. and advanced running metrics such as vertical oscillation. stride length. and ground contact time.
The Workout app also includes Race Route, which lets you compete against your own previous performances on familiar routes. Training Load, meanwhile, compares recent workout intensity against the past month to help you gauge whether you’re ramping up too quickly—or going a little too easy.
Apple also points to performance behind the scenes. In a 30-mile test, the Apple Watch ranked highest among five other top-rated smartwatches for heart rate tracking, measuring peaks and valleys accurately even during interval workouts where other watches struggled.
And if you’re looking beyond miles, Fitness Plus—Apple’s on-demand video workout platform—is offering running-focused collections for the occasion. The lineup includes Run Your First 5K, Yoga for Runners, and treadmill workouts with hills and intervals.
The Global Running Day award is only available on June 3. So if a badge is the goal, the window is tight: get the miles in before midnight.
If you share your run online, tag us—we’re building a little running day crew @cnet.
Apple Watch Global Running Day badge Fitness app Apple Health 5K June 3 Workout app Fitness Plus running features
So if I walk 3.1 miles does it count or is it strictly running? Midnight is like… already stressful lol
Apple really out here with a badge to make people run. Next they’re gonna sell a “paid your taxes” sticker too. But I mean… I guess
My cousin said it only works if you use the Workout app on the phone not the watch?? Like the article says watch is safest but I’m confused. Also what if your app doesn’t sync to Apple Health right away
Wait so it disappears after June 3? I thought these badges were like permanent like the other awards. If I do 5K at 11:58pm will it pop up instantly or does it take days to process