Stay Pounding Pavement With This 5K Running Playlist of Kickbutt Songs Old and New

Every year, my family partakes in at least two 5Ks: the annual Thanksgiving morning Turkey Trot and a 3.1-mile race on Memorial Day. I'm by no means a runner — that's something I want to work on in the new year — but I'm athletic enough, thanks to my long history as a gymnast, to not require too much preparation before these 5Ks. I know that's not how it is for everyone, though; some people are new to their fitness journeys and need to build up the mileage months before (if that's you, check out this 5K training plan for beginners). Whether you're a seasoned 5K-er, like me (intermediate, I'd say), or a newbie, one way to keep your motivation flowing and make those 3.1 miles fly by is to listen to a grade-A playlist.

I don't know about you, but great, let's-dance-and-conquer-this-day songs are the key to my success when I'm feeling like my pace is lagging and my feet are dragging. Ahead, you'll find hits old and new (you bet I included "Mr. Brightside" and Lizzo's new remix of "Good as Hell" with Ariana Grande!). Some songs are pop, some are rock, others have an electronic vibe to get your blood pumping and push your feet forward. They add up to over 45 minutes, meaning you'll have enough to choose from no matter how fast you're running the 5K.

Read on for the Spotify playlist as well as a look at each song on YouTube. Tip: some road races ban earphones, so make sure you check the rules beforehand. Go pound pavement!