Looking for a running tattoo? Here’s some inspiration

Finding the right tattoo isn’t easy. For many runners, a running tattoo is a deeply personal representation of what running means to them. We asked the Canadian Running Instagram community to share and submit images of their unique running tattoos, and they delivered. Here’s a look at some of our favourites, and the meaning behind them.

“Memento mori coin” – @andrewvanderburg

A memento mori is an object that represents a warning or reminder of death. For ultratrail runner Andrew Vanderburg, it reminds him of his long trail races and the pain he has endured. 

“The XC spike” – @m.marshall.90

For Michael Marshall, his tattoo of an unlaced cross-country spike illustrates the three years he spent competing for his collegiate cross-country team. According to Marshall, he even brought his XC spike in for the artist while getting the tattoo!

“A little reminder” – @runhardrunfast19

This tattoo is meaningful for runner Kim Stiff because it reminds her to “just run.” Stiff chose to get these words tattooed on her right forearm so she sees them on every run. She had the “run hard, run fast, just run” to start, then added the 26.2 after completing her first marathon.

“Marathon maps” – @jonathanichikawa

On his left leg, Vancouver’s Jonathan Ichikawa has a tattoo of the maps of all the marathons he’s completed. His most recent tattoo is from the 2022 New York City Marathon. Ichikawa also has the course maps of the BMO Vancouver Marathon, California International Marathon (CIM) and the Victoria Marathon.

“The marathon logo” – @natearsenault22

You typically see some runners get “42.2” (or 26.2) or the Boston Marathon logo tattoo after they finish, but Nathan Arsenault of P.E.I. went with a bit more symbolic route after his first marathon. Arsenault got a shoeprint incorporating the island, a runner, and (obviously) the marathon distance. A+ for creativity!