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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

“1898 at the Lighthouse - Horses Running Wild ” by Kristi Gott

Submitted to Contest #235

Flame, Blaze, and Shadow felt pulses of excitement and bolted across the dunes, hooves flying over the sandy hills. The wind sang in their ears and their hooves almost lifted them off into flight above earth."Let's run and run..... ," is what they might have said if horses could speak.Grabbing mane, pulling on the reins, and yelling, "Whoa," the riders struggled to stay on the horses, who continued to sprint ahead with their eyes shining.Running over the sand dune trail, the horses gave in to their hidden, primitive wild urges.The riders bob...

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“Call Me Sean” by Clyde Laffan

Submitted to Contest #235

Sean runs down the rear stairs from his small apartment, stopping at the bottom to check his shoelaces. “I’m just going for a run,” he tells himself, as though hearing the words out loud makes his intentions truthful. And in part, what he tells himself is the truth. Sean runs most Saturdays; as the saying goes, rain, hail or shine. Today, however, is different. And Sean knows it. Still, lying to himself is easier than facing the truth. Sean tightens his shoelaces. He raises his left foot, landing the heel of his trainer on the third step f...

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“Road Work” by Cody Martin

Submitted to Contest #235

After experiencing horrible things, a person can sometimes get a feeling of being strangely removed from their body, like as if they’re watching a movie of themself. Someone could be simply standing anywhere at anytime, just doing what they normally do. Then suddenly there’s this feeling of rising above themself, outside themself, like a dream. It is a form of disassociation usually brought on as a response to tremendous shock and trauma. The brain is attempting to protect from overwhelming psychological damage. Like so many times before, ...

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“Going the Extra Mile” by Crystal Wexel

Submitted to Contest #235

“My palms and feet were sweaty. My heart was racing. I scanned the other racers. Skinny blonde girl with legs for days, a buff looking dude in camo, a little kid maybe eleven, who gave me a dirty, look so I stuck my tongue out at him. There were a lot of serious looking racers, but some jokers too. Some people wore tutus and were singing. I ignored the queasy feeling in my stomach, thinking it was likely just nervous butterflies. Although nervous, I was pretty pumped about running my first 5K with Tammy from accounting. “Tammy from ac...

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“Jenny's Gift” by Ben Gartner

Submitted to Contest #235

I couldn’t sleep last night, like at all. Zero. I got up before my 5am alarm had a chance to wake my husband. I closed our bedroom door behind me. Put on the running clothes I’d set up in the hall the night before. Crept downstairs, avoiding the squeaky step. Those things aren’t unusual, even though today is . . . uh, “highly unusual” would be putting it lightly. My eyes got wet as I laced up my sneakers. I sniffed and huffed and rubbed my face vigorously. Enough of that. Enough with the theatrics! Sentimental nonsense. You don’t cry...

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“Forest Run” by David Winfield

Submitted to Contest #235

The green Subaru crunched along the forest service road as the passengers admired the early morning scenery. The sunlight broke through the evergreens that the gravel road cut through, spotlighting the verdant understory.“I really appreciate you helping me train. I couldn’t get my husband to agree to run with me. He’s just not very supportive,” said Sandra.“Not a problem,” answered Katelyn. “If you wanted me to run the whole way with you, I couldn’t. But your idea of meeting along the path is brilliant. It’s been years since I have run more ...

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“The Joggers” by Cryn Johannsen

Submitted to Contest #235

TW: substance abuse, gore “Don’t you see them?” Esmeralda asked, as she twirled an unlit cigarette between her thumb and index finger. She and her friend Lucy lounged on an outdated, wraparound couch in her grandma’s 1970s designed home. Despite the age of the décor and furniture, everything was in pristine condition, a time capsule of that era. It was foggy outside, but Esmeralda could still see the two teens jogging as clear as day, just across the street, where they always jogged in place and in unison. They wore thigh-high jog...

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“Distracted” by Peyton Fleek

Submitted to Contest #235

My feet pound into the ground and sweat trickles down my face and my neck. A smile creeps across my lips as I begin mile five. My runner’s high is kicking in, my body feels charged, not tired. I can feel the redness in my cheeks, my fingers begin to tingle, my knees feel like they have springs in them, I can literally feel joy in my feet spreading to all ten toes.There isn’t a cloud in sight and the sun is piercing my back in the best possible way. The first run of spring is easily the most glorious one every year. By the time summer hits I’...

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“Run” by Vanessa Zone

Submitted to Contest #235

Jenna swung her brand-new Jeep Cherokee into the dirt parking lot of the visitor’s center. It was 7:02 a.m. and the warm sun was peeking through the trees that loomed above the parking spot she had chosen. It looked like the weather forecast was accurate for possibly the first time this spring. She smiled; it was indeed going to be a gorgeous day. Jenna had parked close to the trail head although she really had her pick of spots. The lot was surprisingly empty for a Sunday, but it was still early in the day and based on...

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“Living On Without You ” by Stephen Laviera

Submitted to Contest #235

Maligned by how today unfolded. Accepting events as they come. For as they are. Had in ways been ferocious to control. Making a valiant attempt to withstand and bear them. Splashing water again on my face. Feeling as if I’ve been asleep the past few days. My perspective has come unraveled. I only remember excerpts. My younger brother Scott barrels through the men’s bathroom door. The ginger man mountain coddles me over my shoulders. Asking if I had broken. “Bro, you were screaming. It’s gonna be okay...

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“Run and Hide” by Samantha Belz

Submitted to Contest #235

I bolt upright, my chemistry textbook sliding off my chest and crashing to the ground. Sitting up, I chance a glance around the living room, unsure what startled me from my sleep. Nothing has changed though. Colorful images still flash across the TV screen, the rumble of voices low and barely audible. A stack of textbooks is balanced precariously on the edge of the coffee table, Styrofoam containers and sheafs of notebook paper are strewn across the surface. The curtains covering the window that faces the front yard are partially drawn,...

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“I Keep Moving” by Anthony Bartalini

Submitted to Contest #235

I Keep Moving. The deep blue aura surrounding me quickly gives way to an assortment of warming colors. A peaceful ambiance, tall wavering pines, and a coarse pebbled surface form a vibrant path inviting me on a journey. In front of me reveals patterns of dark and light designed by nature’s illuminating heat source, both fueling and dehydrating this vessel I’ve become. I am moving forward into the depths of the unknown with excitement. A short time passes and I’m burning inside. Losing focus. Every inch of my body quivering. M...

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“Woman at Night” by Penny Newcombe

Submitted to Contest #235

Thunder exploded and artic water poured. Bill whined and used those pity-me eyes Susan was sick of seeing. ‘Don’t look at me like that,’ Susan said, ‘this was your idea.’ Dog and owner ran for shelter under an ancient elder tree, towering over a crumbling half wall. Bill shook his chocolate-coloured coat and once free from his lead, stuck his nose into the dirt, not allowing the storm to interrupt the walk he'd been pining for all day. ‘Don't take too long,’ Susan called as he ran into the night. She tried to call her newest b...

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“Football” by H.e. Ross

Submitted to Contest #235

Football It lay across my chest like a moist log and I knew it was just Carman’s arm but it seemed to push down on me as I inhaled and it made me gag. I sat up quickly as the bile rose in my throat, singeing the sides, forming bitter spots in my mouth. It was coming up and I could not breathe. My eyes searched shadows with moonlight hard against walls and still curtains. Her eyes were wide and staring, mouth moving words distant; not understandable. A little air, then a little more, then it closed off again. Alive, I thought with that air...

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“Running Away?” by Joshua Kim

Submitted to Contest #235

Running Away? Grace let out a sigh as she prepared. One may be tempted to ask what she was preparing for. The answer to that was a little more complicated than one could imagine. To understand what Grace was going through at the moment, you have to rewind a bit back to her childhood. She was dragged from where she could somewhat call her home to an entirely foreign land, which was strange, since she knew that by her looks, she wasn’t in a foreign country, she was in where people would usually call ‘home.’ But for the past 10 or so years, s...

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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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