Apple reveals how to earn a limited-edition award on Global Running Day

The latest Apple Watch Activity award requires a 5K to mark the annual celebration

Apple has revealed its official plans for Global Running Day, introducing a new limited-edition activity award for Apple Watch users to pick up.

To secure the exclusive digital badge, runners must log a workout of at least 5K (3.1 miles) on June 3rd using either the native Workout app or a third-party app that integrates directly with the Apple Health API.

While limited-edition digital badges are a time-tested motivational tool for the smartwatch maker, the timing of this year's challenge carries an intriguing backdrop.

The event falls precisely one week before Apple’s WWDC 2026 keynote, where the company is expected to pull back the curtain on its next major software iterations, including watchOS 13.

Running into next week

The timing of this latest Apple Watch award is almost certainly just a coincidence, of course, but it does represent a neat way for Apple to engage users with its running tools and limited-time badges right before a big software tease.

Apple has historically used the WWDC spotlight to hint at upcoming improvements to tools, as it did with Training Load metrics, custom workouts, and running-specific metrics such as ground contact time (GCT) in recent years.

Rumors have, however, consistently suggested Apple is preparing to heavily integrate contextual AI coaching into its native fitness platform next week.

As ever, we'll have to wait to see what the Cupertino brand is cooking up on that front. But, at least this Wednesday, runners have something to chase and another reason to track via the Apple Watch.