Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by saniah. saniah Wonders, “Why do people do the mud run?” Thanks for WONDERing with us, saniah!

Lace up your running shoes! Today Wonderopolis is hitting the road for a look at some special types of races that'll make exercise seem like an adventure!

Do you like to run? Some people love to go for a short jog or a long run on a brisk morning. They love the way the exercise makes their bodies feel.

Some people even enjoy running so much that it becomes one of their favorite hobbies. Those who enjoy running long distances might train for and participate in a marathon. That's a 26.2-mile race! Some people run multiple marathons every year.

Of course, running long distances isn't the only way to enjoy running. Some people enjoy running shorter distances, such as 5K races. A 5K race (that's 5 kilometers) is about 3 miles.

For others, running can be a blast regardless of the distance. It doesn't matter to them whether it's 3 miles or 26 miles. They run because they've found fun events that make the exercise they get from running just a side benefit of all the fun they're having. What types of runs are we talking about?

There are several new types of runs that are taking place around the world. Let's take a closer look at a few and see what they're all about.

For example, you may have heard of a new run called a Color Run™. These unique events focus less on running and more on having some crazy, colorful fun with friends and family members.

Color runners can be any age, shape, or size. Everyone starts in a plain white t-shirt at the starting line. Three miles later, everyone looks like they collided with a rainbow! As they run, color runners are regularly hit with colorful dust that coats their shirts, their hair, their bodies, their…everything!

If a colorful run doesn't sound quite your speed, maybe you'd prefer a Zombie Run! In these races, volunteers pose as zombies along the race course. As a runner, it's your job to safely make it to the finish line, avoiding the undead along the way. Zombies will try to grab “health flags" you wear around your waist.

If you make it to the finish line with at least one health flag, you made it “alive." If not, you become part of the undead horde and can join the other zombies trying to grab flags from other runners.

Avoiding the undead not quite your style? Well, maybe you would prefer some muddy fun. Many places around the world now host regular Mud Runs. These fun races include obstacle courses with items such as bales of hay, climbing walls, tunnels, and mud pits.

In addition to exercise, the other thing a mud run guarantees is that you will get muddy. Very muddy! Mud runs are fun to do as a group, so grab a friend or family member and get ready to get down and dirty!

Wonder What's Next?

Mmmm! Tomorrow’s Wonder of the Day is a delicious treat with a long past!