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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#235: Running Wild

Every day, countless people around the world participate in some form of running, from jogs to ultramarathons. And that simple act of putting one foot in front of another is a deceptively meaningful one; it’s something that transcends pure sport, and that can be used as a metaphor for various life experiences.

Running has a powerful psychological effect, as it often mirrors or influences our mental state. Just think about how often it pops up as an image in literature, to express a character's behavior or mindset (think running on empty, moving in circles, heading towards trouble, escaping problems, racing against time, and so on). This week, let's explore the theme of running and some of its interpretations in storytelling.

This week's prompts

Start your story with one or two characters going for a run.

Adventure – 37 stories

Write a story in which a character is running away from something, literally or metaphorically.

Angst – 123 stories

Make a race an important element of your story.

Narrative – 44 stories

Write about a character who suddenly cannot run anymore.

Character – 43 stories

Write a story that includes someone saying, “You can’t run forever.”

Dialogue – 65 stories

Stories

“Race to the bottom” by James Moore

Submitted to Contest #235

Archibald Drakeford or Archie, as the few people who knew him well would call him, was sitting in his private jet, looking wistfully out of the window, the sun was hitting his pale, sunken cheeks and he felt a wave of positivity wash over. He watched thoughtfully as the sea turned to land and back to sea again, he could see all the life beneath him from this perspective, seagulls swooping, waves crashing, he even felt like he could sense all the creatures in the ocean living, eating, thinking, fighting for survival. 'What a thing life is' Ar...

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“The Cody Incident ” by Jarrel Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #235

trigger warning: depictions of gruesome injury Penny screamed a blood-curdling scream when she saw that Cody broke both of his legs. Well, it was the combination of the sound of Cody’s legs snapping like planks followed by the sight of Cody collapsing on the ground, both legs from the shin down dangling from the rest of him, that set her over the edge. During their fourth grade P.E. kickball game, she watched Cody step up to the plate, eager to kick the ball over the playground fence. Penny played shortstop, engrossed in the exciting and c...

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“The Relay Race” by Doug McGuinn

Submitted to Contest #235

The handoff was flawless. Sitting in my wheelchair on the track’s Astro-Turfed infield, I could almost feel the aluminum baton in my hand, watching my daughter leave the exchange zone and head down the rubberized homestretch, soon entering the near turn, showing perfect form as she ran the anchor leg of the 4 X 1,600-meter relay race in the state high school championship relays.Quickly turning my wheelchair around, I wheeled like mad across the infield, heading for the backstretch.Still showing perfect form, she came out of the tur...

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“Twin Syndrome” by Marion Baars

Submitted to Contest #235

Mxoli, the new addition to the Johannesburg police force, navigated the bustling streets of Zwide with a practiced eye. His partner, a seasoned officer, was briefing him on the nuances of their patrol area. The city’s vibrant chaos was a far cry from Mxoli’s humble beginnings in a small village nestled in the Transkei hills. There, he had risen from a shepherd boy to a respected figure in the local police force. His new assignment in Johannesburg's dense urban landscape was both a challenge and a milestone in his career. Mxoli had always har...

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“True Love” by Michael Schneider

Submitted to Contest #235

“You can’t run forever. This is the end of the road; you’ve nowhere to go,” said Ann. Pulling a knife, Rita put it to her neck, and with a quick slash, blood pumped out in a fountain. Running, Ann bent over Rita’s body; there was a smile on Rita’s face. Rita’s heart pumped blood for five minutes, too long for Ann, she passed out. Ann awoke screaming. The doctor tried calming Ann, but Ann uncontrollably writhed on the bed. A strong sedative calmed her, but her arms still moved, her fists clenched tight. After a month of screaming, she finally...

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“Running's Everything” by Denis Baldwin

Submitted to Contest #235

Jake remembered some important runs in his life, but this next one would be the most significant. It feels like every other run, every other moment, was leading up to this. Running had been Jake's life; now, it may be the last thing he does. Jake met his future wife in high school at their first cross country track meet. Tall for his age, Jake was lean at the time—gangly even—and didn't care for most competitive sports; he was only in competition with himself. That is, until he met Laura. Jake did everything he could to win her attention ...

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“DO REMI FA SOL LALA” by Frederique Louchart

Submitted to Contest #235

The 1720s had brought a new fashion and young ladies paraded in long evening dresses created from stiff fabrics with a high waisted corset and fully boned skirts. Remi couldn’t take his eyes off pretty Lala. He had already crossed path with her several times since the beginning of Spring. She was wearing one of those scandalous dresses with fine silk shimmering patterns and a very form-fitting corsage. Listening and singing along a joyful and heady refrain, Lala continually displayed a smile on her lips and she bounced and hopped happily t...

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“Horse” by Gregg Voss

Submitted to Contest #235

A fully inflated basketball weighs about twenty-two ounces, give or take, with a circumference of around 29 inches. The air inside, measured in pounds per square inch, is what makes it bounce. That said, how could this saffron ball, with its black lines and smooth dimples and blocky Wilson logo, feel so heavy to Jimmy, almost as if it was a boulder? The ball wasn’t any different than any of the...

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“O'Malley & Deadman” by Hyacinth V. Haile

Submitted to Contest #235

She looked at me across the saloon floor again, I could not escape those damn gray eyes. There was a sense of desperation to them, as if she needed to lock eyes with me. Jack was all but happy that she had walked in. He was excited to maybe shoot his shot with someone not from Wraith Hallow. But, anytime he would attempt to walk up and talk, she would smile and tell him she didn’t want anything. Her voice held a thick accent and was full of youth it seemed she was too old to hold. She seemed no older than I, if so, maybe even a couple year...

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“YOU CAN’T RUN FOREVER” by Deaidre Newby

Submitted to Contest #235

Life is hard. There are so many obstacles to overcome that it is senseless. I have to constantly remind myself, Charlotte breathe – girl just breathe. So, I take a big breath and breathe. And in that moment, I experience a level of peace until my emotional cycle starts all over again. I have spent years in my vicious emotional cycle, trying to figure out a permanent fix. But nothing worked. I mean NO-THING! I’ve tried exercising, meditation, Buddha, Islam faith, improving my diet, and changing my environment as well as my friends. BUT NO...

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“Unwanted advice” by Helen Power

Submitted to Contest #235

“You need to seriously look at your life and figure out where you’re going.” “Y’know at some stage you’re going to have to settle down.” “The old biological clock doesn’t wait for anyone.” I’d heard them all. And I’d heard them from all directions. From my elderly aunts - shrivelled, desiccated women - as if they were ones to talk. They weren’t the best adverts for life. From some know-it-all friends (although calling them friends might be stretching it), who flaunted bald babies attached to their nipples like a badge of hon...

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“Labyrinth of Shadows: A Rainy Day Encounter ” by Ryan Middleton

Submitted to Contest #235

The steady drumming of rain against the pavement set the rhythm for Jake and Emma's morning run. They were committed to their routine, rain or shine, and today was no exception. Dressed in their waterproof gear, they hit the wet streets of the small town, their sneakers creating small splashes with each step. Overhead, the gray sky loomed, and the scent of rain-soaked earth filled the air. Despite the gloomy weather, Jake and Emma found peace in running together. The rhythmic patter of the rain provided a soothing backdrop as they n...

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“Run to the Darkness” by Sophie Roberts

Submitted to Contest #235

Step. Step. Breath. Step. Step. Breath. Step. Step. Breath. The pattern Layrin had told her to follow while running had gotten her this far. With luck, it would get her at least 2 more miles. 2 more miles, and all traces of humanity would be far out of sight. 2 more miles, and she could forget where she was. Whens she turned 18 she felt something shift. She began to detest the large concrete cities around her. She began to hate the hustle and bustle. Crowds lit fires of rage in her soul. She found peace only in the woods. She lon...

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“The Four Seasons” by Pam Lonsdale

Submitted to Contest #235

This is my favorite time of year to run in the Park. The sweet, fresh scent of Kwanzan and Yoshino cherry blossom trees fills my nostrils as their branches stretch toward the reservoir basin like long, slender arms, creating a living arch for parkgoers to pass under. Rhododendron Mile is just ahead, where a riot of pink and purple flowers will flank me on either side. The promise of renewal and hope the season brings lifts my spirit after a long, cold winter in the City. Tranquil as it is on the Bridle Path this morning, reminder...

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“Run for My Life” by Bob Faszczewski

Submitted to Contest #235

The many promises I had made to myself and my friends and relatives during my troubled youth included a vow to get into better financial and physical condition. On this beautiful Sunday morning, I continued the daily running routine I had begun about a month earlier. As I gently jogged in the fresh air along the road, deserted for the time being except for me, I began to clear my brain of the disturbing sounds from the night before, punctuated by random gunfire, police chases and loud screaming...

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$250

Prize money

312

Contest entries

121

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 02, 2024 EST

Won by Kajsa Ohman 🏆

Title: KILLER IN THE WILLOWS

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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