It’s Friday, it’s the end of a LOOOOONNG week (at least it has been for me!) and I’m ready to ease into the weekend with a little lightness, a little rest and some relaxation. How about you? 😃
One thing that always fascinates me when I travel is seeing different cities’ running cultures — how big running is there, as well as the different places each offers to go for a great run, whether it’s on the streets or outside the city itself and in nature, on the trails.
What have you found to be great running cities, either where you live or a place you’ve traveled? Let’s hear all about it. — Terrell
I love the reminders of a couple of my favorite running places here! The one I haven't seen is the outskirts of Thies, Senegal and the trails near the beach in Dakar.
San Francisco...Golden Gate Park, The Great Highway, over the Golden Gate Bridge, The Presidio, along the Embarcadero (the waterfront) and hills, hills hills.
The trails between Rehoboth Beach and Lewes (DE) along Gordons Pond Trail is great! Once you get to Lewes you can continue on a Rails to Trails that goes on and on. I try to run there every time I visit DE, where I grew up. The Rehoboth marathon/ half marathon uses some of this.
Have to second recommendations for American Tobacco Trail (ATT) here in the Chapel Hill-Raleigh-Durham area. HOWEVER...I'll make a plug for many midwestern cities, including Omaha. Yes, the weather can be bad and the wind can be horrible, and there are hills, but....there are sidewalks! Never thought I'd appreciate something so basic until I moved to North Carolina where the idea seems to be that you risk life and limb running on the road edge and hope that some NASCAR wannabe doesn't smack you as they race by. ATT is an excellent choice, but if you can't get to that, running any of the major streets here is a risk.
It may not sound exotic, but in Florida, they have a mulitude of paved trails along side the ocean... Being origionally from Minnesota, anytime I can run where it's not below zero and can look out at the water I'm there... the water calms me and I forget everything that's bothering me and just enjoy being there... Now if I could only buy a place on the water, that's my dream...
I LOVE running in NYÇ, I try to incorporate Central Park (or at least a part of it) into my running loop. The energy in NYC is infectious and I have found that when I'm visiting the city, that energy translates to really great run times. :-) I also just signed up to run the Bay Bridge 10-miler this October. That should be pretty epic!
When I want to do some hill work I go to Berryessa Park and run up the tree lined trail along the creek to Alum Rock park in San Jose. It's pretty, mostly away from traffic, usually cooler, and and there's a nice view of the valley if you go all the way to the top trail.
I've yet to run on them, but the pictures of the system of gravel carriage roads in Acadia National Park in Maine look amazing. I understand for decades folks have been flying in from all over to attend running camps there.
It’s been a few years now but when I lived in Houston, I ran every day along the track around Hermann Park and over to the trail around Rice. Had to hit the trails early though due to the heat, but these were great to run on, tree-lined and friendly fellow runners.
I'm a person that runs loops. There is mental barrier for me running out and back on the same path (I'll do it, but it doesn't feel right, like why the heck would I go out this way just to come back). So I live in Denver and thankfully there are some good loops. If visiting, try Washington Park, Sloan's Lake, City Park, and Cheesman Park. They all have loops from less than a mile to over 3 miles and usually there are plenty of other runners so you are not lonely.
I have enjoyed running in Indianapolis because there is great crowd support and a flat surface. Plus the neighborhoods and sites are great! For those interested in a Boston qualifier it is definitely worthy for that race! I believe it was a spring run that we ran on the Indy race track which was cool!
I love running in all different cities/states/countries, but a few favorites- Tel Aviv running along the Mediterranean, Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast , all kinds of narrow streets, and , oddly enough, Las Vegas. I run early and what sites you see on the strip at any hour!!
John. Yes Chicago is a great place to run. Before my cousin & his wife moved back to Michigan . Beth & I did the women’s only 10k . I would always get a run or two in when we went. Love that city.
My favorite place to run is the American Tobacco Trail in North Carolina's Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) area. Scenic, foot friendly, always a tad cooler than the surrounding area and great for PR's because it's so flat. Not to mention great transition from woods to suburbs to downtowns.
Hi everyone! This is maybe kind of cheating because it's really not urban running, but I adored trail running in Tucson Mountain Park (still technically in the city boundaries!) It doesn't get a lot of use so is very meditative, is covered in saguaros and other cool plants, and the trails fan out a long way. As for true city adventures; I've enjoyed a chilly morning or evening run in the Capitol area in D.C., choosing my direction based on whichever pedestrian crossings had the green light. It's really pretty when the city is dressed up for the winter holidays.
My favorite place to run is Mackinac Island in Michigan. In 2018 I did my final 20 mile training run for the Detroit Marathon. Starting before sunrise, it was so nice to see the sun coming up. I also saw the island coming alive with workers and tourist.
This is my favorite place to run even doing shorter early morning runs
Being from Chicagoland.....I love it when I am "home"......my first race was a 5K done on the Saturday morning before the Chicago Marathon running with "real" runners!!! Since then I have only run in Chicago and Minneapolis in the Hot Chocolate Races (always the most fun in Chicago) .......this November if all goes well I will return to Chicago to Run the Hot Chocolate 15K.........I ran the the Chicago Virtual Half Marathon Last year in my home town of Shell Lake WI.......I am blessed with great roads and trails that swirl around the Lake............if it is in God's plan for me I hope to be able to run the Chicago Marathon in 2022.........at 73 it will be a thrill for sure. Sounds like we all have great spots to run on a daily basis and places we dream of running!!!!
Good Morning. Awesome topic. I am enjoying reading other peoples posts.
Prettiest run was on Stone Mountain GA in the Fall. Leaves were changing and the air was crisp. I haven't been many places but always love going for a run to explore the area. Sometimes you can see more on foot than in a car.
Charleston, SC is good if you know where to run. Running downtown is dicey because the sidewalks are often uneven; running outside of downtown is dangerous because often there are no sidewalks or even shoulders. One solution is running in residential areas, especially with other runners. (There are several great running clubs in the city!)
The best places to run IMO are in one of the several excellent county parks, or on the Ravenel Bridge, which has a dedicated pedestrian/cyclist lane, separated from the traffic by a concrete barrier. It's a bit loud, but fine with a good playlist, and there's a beautiful view.
Typically assigned to military bases. My favorite for running by far was NSF Diego Garcia. Super dark at night but lots of trail roads. Very quite. USAGKA Kwajalein wasn't bad. Caught in the rain, more than once. Lately I run out near NSF Redzikowo in Poland. Running in the mid-east is tolerable but not any fun.
Chicago. Generous pike bath along the lake. You get great skyline vistas and views of the lake. Milwaukee. Beautiful bike path with views of the city and the lake.
My best running places are places I've run and suffered and overcome. I have run so many routes around where I live when I drive in the car to go places I am reminiscing about runs through these areas. I keep this to myself so as not to annoy others in the car... My favorite place to run to date is in Petoskey MI along Lake Michigan cliffs looking down at the water. Time and miles just went by unnoticed as I enjoyed the scenery. It was like being on a different planet for awhile.
i do most of my running in the dc/md/va area and fall and spring running here is really pleasant. you can run in woods or places with scenic views and then also run through downtown areas where there is always something to see. we do have our hills though so running an all flat course is nearly impossible but hey, you earn your beer:)
The Monterey Peninsula. Beautiful oceanfront trails along the rocky shoreline and through coastal forests. Flat or hilly…your choice!
I love the reminders of a couple of my favorite running places here! The one I haven't seen is the outskirts of Thies, Senegal and the trails near the beach in Dakar.
San Francisco...Golden Gate Park, The Great Highway, over the Golden Gate Bridge, The Presidio, along the Embarcadero (the waterfront) and hills, hills hills.
The trails between Rehoboth Beach and Lewes (DE) along Gordons Pond Trail is great! Once you get to Lewes you can continue on a Rails to Trails that goes on and on. I try to run there every time I visit DE, where I grew up. The Rehoboth marathon/ half marathon uses some of this.
San Diego shoreline👍👍Seattle is beautiful along the coast as well
Have to second recommendations for American Tobacco Trail (ATT) here in the Chapel Hill-Raleigh-Durham area. HOWEVER...I'll make a plug for many midwestern cities, including Omaha. Yes, the weather can be bad and the wind can be horrible, and there are hills, but....there are sidewalks! Never thought I'd appreciate something so basic until I moved to North Carolina where the idea seems to be that you risk life and limb running on the road edge and hope that some NASCAR wannabe doesn't smack you as they race by. ATT is an excellent choice, but if you can't get to that, running any of the major streets here is a risk.
It may not sound exotic, but in Florida, they have a mulitude of paved trails along side the ocean... Being origionally from Minnesota, anytime I can run where it's not below zero and can look out at the water I'm there... the water calms me and I forget everything that's bothering me and just enjoy being there... Now if I could only buy a place on the water, that's my dream...
I LOVE running in NYÇ, I try to incorporate Central Park (or at least a part of it) into my running loop. The energy in NYC is infectious and I have found that when I'm visiting the city, that energy translates to really great run times. :-) I also just signed up to run the Bay Bridge 10-miler this October. That should be pretty epic!
When I want to do some hill work I go to Berryessa Park and run up the tree lined trail along the creek to Alum Rock park in San Jose. It's pretty, mostly away from traffic, usually cooler, and and there's a nice view of the valley if you go all the way to the top trail.
I've yet to run on them, but the pictures of the system of gravel carriage roads in Acadia National Park in Maine look amazing. I understand for decades folks have been flying in from all over to attend running camps there.
Long Beach, CA. You can run along the shoreline and they have one of the best marathon/half marathon event in the fall of the year.
It’s been a few years now but when I lived in Houston, I ran every day along the track around Hermann Park and over to the trail around Rice. Had to hit the trails early though due to the heat, but these were great to run on, tree-lined and friendly fellow runners.
I'm a person that runs loops. There is mental barrier for me running out and back on the same path (I'll do it, but it doesn't feel right, like why the heck would I go out this way just to come back). So I live in Denver and thankfully there are some good loops. If visiting, try Washington Park, Sloan's Lake, City Park, and Cheesman Park. They all have loops from less than a mile to over 3 miles and usually there are plenty of other runners so you are not lonely.
San Francisco, CA. . .over the Golden Gate! Amazing to run over the water and look out over the Pacific.
Fayetteville, AR
I have enjoyed running in Indianapolis because there is great crowd support and a flat surface. Plus the neighborhoods and sites are great! For those interested in a Boston qualifier it is definitely worthy for that race! I believe it was a spring run that we ran on the Indy race track which was cool!
I love running in all different cities/states/countries, but a few favorites- Tel Aviv running along the Mediterranean, Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast , all kinds of narrow streets, and , oddly enough, Las Vegas. I run early and what sites you see on the strip at any hour!!
John. Yes Chicago is a great place to run. Before my cousin & his wife moved back to Michigan . Beth & I did the women’s only 10k . I would always get a run or two in when we went. Love that city.
My favorite place to run is the American Tobacco Trail in North Carolina's Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) area. Scenic, foot friendly, always a tad cooler than the surrounding area and great for PR's because it's so flat. Not to mention great transition from woods to suburbs to downtowns.
Hi everyone! This is maybe kind of cheating because it's really not urban running, but I adored trail running in Tucson Mountain Park (still technically in the city boundaries!) It doesn't get a lot of use so is very meditative, is covered in saguaros and other cool plants, and the trails fan out a long way. As for true city adventures; I've enjoyed a chilly morning or evening run in the Capitol area in D.C., choosing my direction based on whichever pedestrian crossings had the green light. It's really pretty when the city is dressed up for the winter holidays.
My favorite place to run is Mackinac Island in Michigan. In 2018 I did my final 20 mile training run for the Detroit Marathon. Starting before sunrise, it was so nice to see the sun coming up. I also saw the island coming alive with workers and tourist.
This is my favorite place to run even doing shorter early morning runs
Being from Chicagoland.....I love it when I am "home"......my first race was a 5K done on the Saturday morning before the Chicago Marathon running with "real" runners!!! Since then I have only run in Chicago and Minneapolis in the Hot Chocolate Races (always the most fun in Chicago) .......this November if all goes well I will return to Chicago to Run the Hot Chocolate 15K.........I ran the the Chicago Virtual Half Marathon Last year in my home town of Shell Lake WI.......I am blessed with great roads and trails that swirl around the Lake............if it is in God's plan for me I hope to be able to run the Chicago Marathon in 2022.........at 73 it will be a thrill for sure. Sounds like we all have great spots to run on a daily basis and places we dream of running!!!!
Good Morning. Awesome topic. I am enjoying reading other peoples posts.
Prettiest run was on Stone Mountain GA in the Fall. Leaves were changing and the air was crisp. I haven't been many places but always love going for a run to explore the area. Sometimes you can see more on foot than in a car.
Charleston, SC is good if you know where to run. Running downtown is dicey because the sidewalks are often uneven; running outside of downtown is dangerous because often there are no sidewalks or even shoulders. One solution is running in residential areas, especially with other runners. (There are several great running clubs in the city!)
The best places to run IMO are in one of the several excellent county parks, or on the Ravenel Bridge, which has a dedicated pedestrian/cyclist lane, separated from the traffic by a concrete barrier. It's a bit loud, but fine with a good playlist, and there's a beautiful view.
Pasadena. Specifically the loop around the Rose Bowl.
Typically assigned to military bases. My favorite for running by far was NSF Diego Garcia. Super dark at night but lots of trail roads. Very quite. USAGKA Kwajalein wasn't bad. Caught in the rain, more than once. Lately I run out near NSF Redzikowo in Poland. Running in the mid-east is tolerable but not any fun.
Chicago. Generous pike bath along the lake. You get great skyline vistas and views of the lake. Milwaukee. Beautiful bike path with views of the city and the lake.
My best running places are places I've run and suffered and overcome. I have run so many routes around where I live when I drive in the car to go places I am reminiscing about runs through these areas. I keep this to myself so as not to annoy others in the car... My favorite place to run to date is in Petoskey MI along Lake Michigan cliffs looking down at the water. Time and miles just went by unnoticed as I enjoyed the scenery. It was like being on a different planet for awhile.
i do most of my running in the dc/md/va area and fall and spring running here is really pleasant. you can run in woods or places with scenic views and then also run through downtown areas where there is always something to see. we do have our hills though so running an all flat course is nearly impossible but hey, you earn your beer:)