By 
Whether you’re running outside or just hitting the treadmill, good music can often make the difference between a rave run and a blown goal. That’s why we’re putting together 90-minute playlists each month chock-full of songs with enough of a beat to keep you moving. For even more tunes, check out our list of the best running songs.
Just because something is popular doesn’t mean it’s lame to like it. Sometimes popular things are beloved because they’re just great, and I’d like to argue that such is often the case with popular music. While top 40 songs have gotten a bad rap in recent years as the indie and alternative music scenes have grown, songs often reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 because they’re incredibly catchy, upbeat, and fun to run to.
Sure, we love underground electronica and throwback rock anthems, but sometimes when you’re out battling the heat, you need those pop hits you’ve memorized every word of to power you through. Especially in July, arguably one of the worst months for running, having a reliable, high tempo playlist can push you through that last mile.
More From Runner's World
To that end, I sifted through the chart toppers from the last five years and pulled out nearly 30 of my favorites from hits by Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, Post Malone, and Cardi B, to name a few. So whether you’re trying to get in a run before the 4th of July barbecue or during a summer vacation with your family, here’s a playlist full of top 40 songs to keep you fired up.
Oh, and yes, obviously I included “Old Town Road.”
Matthew Huff is a freelance writer and runner, and he is the author of MARATHONER: What to Expect When Training for and Running a Marathon, published by Rizzoli Publications. His writing has appeared in Runner's World and BuzzFeed among others, and he is the cohost of “P.S. You’re Wrong: A Pop Culture Podcast.” Originally from Michigan, he now lives and runs in New York City, where he is pursuing a career as an expert chicken tender taster.
