If you travel as much as I do, you’re always trying to map good travel running routes. Sometimes the hotel will help, and other times, you can pull up routes on MapMyRun. Last month, Great Runs added another option: the Top 100
Runs in America’s Cities. It’s like a travel guide for runners, with the best 100 runs in top U.S. cities on one page.
Basically, this one page puts all these iconic, bucket list running routes on one page and links to the MapMyRun routes for easy reference. I’ve actually done both New York: Manhattan runs listed on the Great Runs Top 100 Runs page; they’re right on the money there. I’ve also run the Two Bridges route in New York City, the Charles River route in Boston, part of the Lady Bird Lake Trail in Austin, Buffalo Bayou Park in Houston, and The Strand Beach Path in Santa Monica. I also agree that the San Antonio Riverwalk is a gorgeous run, and I’m looking forward to a Strip run in Las Vegas later this year.
One great thing about this page – besides the MapMyRun links – is that it shows you where to start for a five-mile loop. Great Runs did a lot of research to compile this guide. It took 10-15 great routes for each city, interviewed runners, and conducted firsthand research (I would happily volunteer for the next round!). The best runs, according to Great Runs, are near downtown/the city center and/or are especially interesting, scenic, or beautiful. Think unique sights or scenic beaches. There’s a mix of urban parks, trails, urban beach and waterfront runs, and tours of important sights. If you’re traveling with non-runners, these routes also make beautiful and fun walks.
Also, Great Runs is always looking for suggestions and submissions for travel running routes or other great runs. If there’s a route you think belongs there, you can submit it to the site for consideration.