The Worst Running Tattoos of All Time

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Run This Body
Image via Pinterest

When it comes to tattoos, athletes have a tendency to take it a little too far, resulting in some of the ugliest, sloppiest, and downright puzzling ink we’ve seen. CrossFitters have become notorious for questionable body art, but bad fitness tats are not limited to the intense workout craze.

Runners are part of an incredibly dedicated culture that involves endless hard work, pride, goals, and triumph. With all the preparation and perseverance that goes into a race, there’s just nothing quite like the feeling of crossing that finish line. So we can’t knock a runner for getting their best marathon time, favorite race, or a simple inspirational message permanently scribed on their body. The thing is, not all tattoos are created equally, and if you don’t give it some careful consideration, you could wind up with one expensive mistake. Be sure to seek out the most reputable artists in your area, and mull over an idea for at least a couple months before you take the needle plunge. Otherwise, the shaky script might be the next addition to The Worst Running Tattoos of All Time.

Riley Jones is a freelance writer from Charlottesville, VA and a contributor to Sneaker Report. With an unshakable affinity for basketball and all things pop culture, he can be found on Twitter @rchrstphr.

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Maui
Image via BME

No. 20 - Not Aging Gracefully

London Marathon
Image via Pinterest

No. 19 - Jump Rope for Heart or London Marathon?

Keep Running
Image via State of the Art Tattoos

No. 18 - Hopefully You're Not Running in Flying Chuck Taylors

Hashmarks
Image via Runner's World

No. 17 - An Outsider Might Get the Wrong Idea

Forrest Gump
Image via Runner's World

No. 16 - Unfortunately, it Looks Like Forrest Gump was the Tattoo Artist, Too

Chest Tattoo
Image via Hella Wella

No. 15 - Whoa, We Didn't Need to See That

Cat
Image via Scene 360

No. 14 - Props for Originality, but This Looks Like it Could Be Mistaken for a Skin Disease

Brooks
Image via Brooks Running

No. 13 - Captain Planet's Favorite Shoes

Boston
Image via Hella Wella

No. 12 - We Love the Message, but Are Those the Twin Towers?

Born to Run
Image via Blogspot

No. 11 - Run From Hell

Anime
Image via Blogspot

No. 10 - You Must be This Old to Run this Race

262
Image via Blogspot

No. 9 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. Would Be Proud

Infrared Air Max 90
Image via In Flex We Trust

No. 8 - The Long-Awaited Air Max 90 Mitten

25 Marathon
Image via Flickr

No. 7 - Just a Liiiiittle Off Center

Converse Boston
Image via Blogspot

No. 6 - Hopefully You've Upgraded the Shoes Since Then

Melting
Image via Tattoo Design

No. 5 - This Sneaker is on Fire and Resting Above an Eagle. Strong Contender for Best AND Worst

Sonic
Image via Walyou

No. 4 - Nerd it Out

Run This Body
Image via Pinterest

No. 3 - We Gon' Run This Town Tonight

Skeleton
Image via Tattoo Artistst

No. 2 - From the Cradle to the Grave

Running Sucks
Image via Blogspot

No. 1 - We Beg to Differ

Riley Jones is a freelance writer from Charlottesville, VA and a contributor to Sneaker Report. With an unshakable affinity for basketball and all things pop culture, he can be found on Twitter @rchrstphr.

RELATED: The 25 Worst Training-Inspired Tattoos
RELATED: 10 Running Shoes That Deserve Hypebeast Makeovers