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Los Angeles
According to L.A. running guide Kate Olson
Why I Love Running Los Angeles
Follow Kira West through her daily life spent training and building community as a running coach in Chicago. Discover how running in the Windy City, and embracing its often challenging elements, builds the resiliency and mental toughness to take on the world. As West prioritizes self-care throughout the seasons, the focus on wellness ripples outward to her work connecting with the city’s other passionate runners.
Los Angeles
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SHOP MEN'S
Meet the New
Mallory Kilmer / Kate Olson
Los Angeles
Mallory Kilmer
New York City
Kira West
Chicago
FuelCell Rebel v4
PRESENTS
To find your way, find your people. How? Use this local’s guide to six of America’s top running cities. Connect with vibrant communities and the passionate individuals who build them. Explore essential routes. Plug into don’t-miss events. Get equipped with the right shoes, plus the resources to use them like never before.
Consider this your invitation to the greater running community. Take that first step, because when you run, you are a runner. And when you’re welcomed by and united with other distinct individuals, you find your way: to set your pace, build your goals, and become your own runner. See what’s possible when you run the city and Run Your Way.
This recurring series of events closes L.A. streets to car traffic and opens them to pedestrians and cyclists—an ideal way to explore new neighborhoods and see the city from a different perspective. Recent editions showcased South L.A. and Venice Boulevard, and each route has sitting areas with food and drink vendors, so you can stop for a mid-run snack. Learn More >
Men’s 9.5D, 6.9 oz; Women’s 7B, 5.5 oz
Run Your Way
Explore New York’s running opportunities through the eyes of athlete, trainer and run-club organizer, Mallory Kilmer. Learn how she humbly launched “No More Lonely Runs” in a simple search for running companions. The growth of the now-thriving, international club is a testament to its inclusive nature. It’s also changed Kilmer’s perspective on running’s ability to connect and inspire in a dynamic city that often isolates individuals.
Coming Soon
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Runyon Canyon
Hollywood Reservoir
Marvin Braude Bike Trail
The Hollywood Sign
Baldwin Hills Overlook
You don’t have to be a baseball fan to appreciate this event. Dodger Stadium, set amid the hills of Elysian Park, is one of L.A.’s most notable landmarks, and this race series (there’s a 5K, 10K, and kids’ run) is a great way to experience it. The event is held at sunset for incredible views of the stadium, city skyline, and surrounding parkland. Learn More >
Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Sunset Run
For more than 30 years, Homeboy Industries has helped formerly gang-affiliated and incarcerated people get back on their feet. This fun race, held in Chinatown, near downtown L.A., is an excellent way to support the group’s work and explore a unique corner of the city. Learn More >
Homeboy 5K
You know the tired cliché: nobody walks in Los Angeles. Why not? Because it’s way more fun to run. L.A. occupies a vast 466-square-mile swath that stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the San Gabriel Mountains, which rise thousands of feet above the cityscape. In between are countless urban routes, trails, parks, and paths that weave together L.A.’s unique neighborhoods and form a sun-soaked playground for runners. “We have so many different vibes,” says Kate Olson, founder of L.A. Running Connoisseur, an online guide to the city’s running scene.
Olson has lived and run in Los Angeles for more than 12 years, and she has experienced firsthand how the city’s varied terrain, diverse population, and enthusiastic running community create a truly epic place to run. We recently talked with her to get her recs for must-do routes, notable running events, and key resources. Consider this your invite: step into the sunshine and get ready to discover why everyone runs in L.A.
Perhaps the most famous trail in Los Angeles, Runyon Canyon is a killer workout and an excellent place for people-watching. Road runners can ascend the paved fire road for an out-and-back adventure of 2.8 miles, and trail runners can follow a rugged three-mile loop that circles the park. It’s also a great place for dogs, with an off-leash area on a section of the paved road.
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Runyon Canyon
SHOP WOMEN'S
New York City
Boston
Philadelphia
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New Midsole Material
Years of research went into perfecting the Rebel v4, containing a midsole made with a PEBA/EVA blend.
Perfect for uptempo workouts or cruising daily miles.
Versatile Running
Incredible FuelCell cushioning in a very light, sub-7-ounce package.
Engineered Mesh Upper
Lightweight breathable mesh with FANTOMFIT and a gusseted tongue for lockdown of the midfoot.
Olson loves Keep It Run Hundred for its welcoming, beginner-friendly atmosphere. The group hosts weekly runs in Inglewood and Culver City and places a special emphasis on supporting underserved communities in South Central L.A.
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Keep It Run Hundred
Running with New Basin Blues is a must for anyone who’s trail curious. This club explores the best dirt routes in the L.A. region. All levels are welcome at their weekly runs on Thursdays and Sundays.
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New Basin Blues
Clubs
Stores
Olson is a big fan of this independent running store in Pasadena thanks to its weekly group runs and top-tier apparel. “I am obsessed with their sock collection,” she says.
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Run With Us
Browse the latest apparel, get your feet scanned and fitted for a pair of shoes, or meet up for a guided run at one of New Balance’s two L.A. retail locations. (There are storefronts in Brentwood and Santa Monica.) They’re the perfect launching points for diving into the city’s running scene.
New Balance Stores
Brentwood
Santa Monica
“Everyone wants to run behind the Hollywood sign,” says Olson, and getting to the iconic landmark comes with a bonus experience: exploring the 4,200-acre Griffith Park, one of the largest municipal parks in North America. Olson suggests a three-mile out-and-back along the Aileen Getty Ridge Trail. This route features sweeping views and a stop at the Wisdom Tree (a lone pine growing atop a prominent peak) before topping out just above the Hollywood Sign.
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The Hollywood Sign
Not into climbing? Head to the Hollywood Reservoir for a paved 3.3-mile loop around a large body of water. In addition to panoramic views of the city and the Hollywood Sign, you might spot some local wildlife—Olson recently encountered deer while running here.
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Hollywood Reservoir
This state park is an island of wilderness in the middle of West L.A. Start at the trailhead on Jefferson Boulevard and make a one-mile switchbacking ascent to the overlook’s 500-foot peak. Once there, you can enjoy 360-degree views of the city, including downtown skyscrapers and the Pacific Ocean. For more mileage, continue on trails to explore the adjacent Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area.
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Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
This is L.A., so a trip to the beach is required. Get your fix while jogging on this 22-mile paved trail—specifically the Santa Monica to Venice Beach segment. You’ll pass under the Santa Monica Pier (mid-run Ferris wheel ride?) and run through the famed Muscle Beach bodybuilder hangout. Pro tip: Make a pit stop at the Venice Beach Skatepark to watch skaters pull off all kinds of aerial stunts.
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Marvin Braude Bike Trail
Why I Love Running New York City
According to adventure runner Dave Hashim and club leader Caitlin Papageorge
There’s no place like New York City, especially if you’re a runner. Whether you’ve raced multiple marathons or you prefer a mellower pace, you’ll always have a new route to explore, a run club to meet up with, or an event to sign up for.
“Any kind of running experience you want to have, you can have here,” says Dave Hashim, a New York City–based photographer who recently completed the Perimeter Project, where he ran around the borders of all five boroughs.
For Caitlin Papageorge, president of North Brooklyn Runners, part of the city’s love affair with running stems from the way its citizens normally get around.
“New York is such a pedestrian city,” she says. “I think for that very reason, it sets New York up really well for a great running scene.”
Ready to experience what New York has to offer? Here’s your quickest path to connection with the city’s broad and diverse running community.
New York City
Central Park
Roosevelt Island
Hudson River Greenway
McCarren Park Track
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ROUTES
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The 5th Avenue Mile proves that short distances can attract stiff competition. Elite sprinters battle here each year, and the course itself is a star: Competitors race from 80th Street to 60th Street, passing distinguished institutions like the Frick Collection art museum. Learn More >
New Balance 5th Avenue Mile
This 13.1-mile spring classic has become a destination race for good reason, providing a scenic tour of two boroughs packed with iconic landmarks. Join 25,000 racers on closed NYC streets, from a Brooklyn start, across the Manhattan Bridge, heading up through Times Square, to a home stretch in Central Park. Learn More >
United Airlines NYC Half
This race takes place in Prospect Park, Brooklyn’s answer to Central Park, and honors Al Gordon, a New Yorker who began running marathons in his 80s. While the distance is short, the course showcases the park’s beautiful scenery and includes some hilly terrain for an extra challenge. “I just love being there,” says Papageorge. “It's underrated.” Learn More >
Al Gordon 4-Miler
No trip to New York is complete without a jog through Central Park. Hashim recommends following the main paved path for a seven-mile loop, but make sure to lap the Harlem Meer, in the park’s northeast corner—it’s an often overlooked but especially beautiful area.
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Central Park
Stretching 12.5 miles from Battery Park all the way up to Inwood Hill Park at the northern tip of Manhattan, the Hudson River Greenway offers superb views of the Hudson River and nearby parks all along its length.
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Hudson River Greenway
Get off the beaten path with a four-mile run around Roosevelt Island in the East River. Both Hashim and Papageorge recommend it for its quiet atmosphere (there’s very little traffic), interesting architecture (like an abandoned smallpox hospital), and panoramic vistas of the Manhattan skyline.
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Roosevelt Island
Brooklyn’s McCarren Park is a popular spot for runners thanks to its public track. Head here for a sprint workout or a warm-up lap before a longer run—just keep an eye out for obstacles like wayward soccer balls or the occasional ice cream cart cruising around in lane one.
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McCarren Park Track
New Balance’s Upper West Side location—just a few strides from Central Park—will be your go-to spot for running shoes, gear, and advice. Key highlight: The store is equipped with a 3D foot scanner to help you get the perfect fit in your next pair of shoes.
New Balance Store
Upper West Side
Looking for someone to run with? Take a tip from Mallory Kilmer, a seasoned marathoner who started this club to help runners of all experience levels find community in the sport. The beginner-friendly groups gather every Saturday morning. Learn More >
No More Lonely Runs
This nationwide running group has a strong presence in New York City. While the group runs every Monday are a big draw, joining Endorphins also gets you access to online resources like Q&As with running coaches and physical therapists. Learn More >
Endorphins
This club’s mission is twofold: Increase AAPI representation in running and get New Yorkers onto the dirt. If you’re itching for trails, join one of the club’s all-are-welcome group runs, which explore the wealth of wilderness areas just a short train ride outside the city. Learn More >
Asian Trail Mix
Front Runners is where New York’s LGBTQ+ and running communities overlap, and the group creates a positive, inclusive atmosphere at its weekly Fun Runs. If you become a member, you can also join the group’s coached workouts and triathlon training sessions. Learn More >
Front Runners New York
Why not start the weekend a little early? Almost Friday is the group to do it with: this friendly club meets every Thursday morning on the Hudson River Greenway for a chill run by the water. It’s the perfect midweek pick-me-up. Learn More >
Almost Friday Run Club
Why I Love Running Boston
According to local coach Joe McConkey
Boston Running Center co-founder, exercise physiologist, and running coach Joe McConkey has been a staple in the Boston running community for two decades. The dedicated runner has also coached at Newbury College and the Cambridge Running Club. At the Boston Running Center, he specializes in biomechanics and gait analysis, while also coaching individual runners.
“Boston has so many options in terms of the types of terrain for runners,” says McConkey, noting that most visitors could run along the Charles River every day and never be bored. “The river changes personalities,” says McConkey. “The further away you go from the city, the more you have nice quiet paths—almost trail running. Then, when you come back in towards Boston, you see the skyline, you run by Harvard and MIT, and then on to the picturesque esplanade in downtown Boston.”
And sure, the weather in New England can be unforgiving during the winter months, but runners in the know head to the many swiftly plowed colleges in the city, the Boston Commons, or the six miles along the Charles River Path.
Boston
Charles River Bike Path/Greenway
Castle Island
The Emerald Necklace
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You’ve heard of one big 26.2-miler in Boston, but don’t forget about the Run to Remember. This half-marathon and five-miler draws 6,000 runners. It takes place every Memorial Day weekend and pays tribute to fallen first responders, while raising money for local youth and community programs supported by first responders. “It’s a memorable course,” says McConkey. “There’s only one hill, and it runs through downtown.” Learn More >
Boston's Run to Remember
This festive West Newton neighborhood three-mile race takes place in October. “It’s one of these races where you get your finish medal, a beer, elephant ear [fried dough], and chicken noodle soup,” says McConkey. “The Irish pub [Paddy’s Public House] that sponsors it is right at the finish line, so there’s always a good vibe and live music going. It’s a good time.” Learn More >
Paddy’s Road Race—Shillelagh Shuffle
Red Sox fans, rejoice. In late July, runners and walkers have a chance to cover 5K or 9K through the streets of Boston before entering Fenway Park and crossing home base en route to the finish line. All participants raise money for Home Base, a nonprofit organization that provides clinical care and support free of cost to veterans. This charity event has been bringing veterans and supporters together in iconic Fenway for 15 years. Learn More >
Run to Home Base
“You have to run on the river,” says McConkey. The path runs alongside the Charles River on either side for 22 miles total. Runners take advantage of nine bridges that create loops of various distances. The path extends from the Boston Museum of Science to the east, parallels Beacon Street on the river’s south side, then runs past Boston University, Harvard, Cambridge, MIT, and back to its origination point.
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Charles River Bike Path/Greenway
Managed by the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, seven miles of park system over 1,100 acres weave through the city in a kind of trail. “They start near Fenway Park,” explains McConkey, “and then the path/trails snake through gardens and parks, alongside a creek, all the way to a couple different ponds. There’s woods and some hills there. You can do a good ten-mile run and only have to cross the street maybe a handful of times.”
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The Emerald Necklace
In South Boston, roughly 15 minutes from the city’s center, runners enjoy a two-mile loop along the waterfront that’s uninterrupted by stoplights, with the option to extend the run along the beachfront. It’s no longer an island, and there’s no castle, but the path around Fort Independence is scenic along the water, with sights and sounds of planes coming in and out of nearby Boston Logan Airport.
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Castle Island
Boston’s 2.5-mile Freedom Trail links 16 historic places of interest, like the USS Constitution, Paul Revere’s house, and Boston Common, established in 1634 as the nation’s oldest public park. For more adventure, the Blue Hills Reservation, less than 30 minutes from the city, offers peaceful and varied trails. Or try Middlesex Fells for running that’s a bit more rugged.
Since 1975, this retailer has been a Boston-area staple. Today it has 16 stores, including one on Boylston Street, one in Cambridge, and one in Wellesley.
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Marathon Sports
With more than 6,500 square feet of running shoes and other apparel on display, this anchor location is in the Brighton neighborhood, just a few blocks off the Charles River corridor.
New Balance Global Flagship Boston Landing
Boston Landing
Newbury Street
Through a variety of community-based activities, this group works to make running more equitable and accessible to the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) adults residing in the Boston area.
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PIONEERS Run Crew
This nationwide organization aims to involve more African American women in the sport of running. The Boston chapter has roughly 2,000 member followers.
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Black Girls RUN!
The Boston Road Runners put on a Turkey Trot, the AAPI 5K, and a Hispanic and Latino 5K. The BAA, organizer of the Boston Marathon, hosts the BAA 10K each May through the Back Bay neighborhood in the heart of the city. About 90 minutes outside of Boston, the Cape Cod Marathon and iconic Falmouth Road Race come with an ocean view.
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This group connects students in grades 5–8 with adult mentors who meet once or twice a week throughout the school year to run and get ready for the Run to Remember 5-Miler each Memorial Day.
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Sole Train
With more than 60 colleges and universities in the metropolitan area, McConkey says there’s always “an interesting combination of new folks in the city and long-term Boston residents.” The mix likely contributes to the “dozens, if not hundreds, of running clubs that run the gamut,” he says. “Some have been around for 100 years, and some have been around for two years. Some are social, some are serious. It’s a big running community that’s very diverse. You have regular, casual social races as well as highly competitive races throughout the year—so no matter your level or interest, you’ll find a supporting environment in Boston.”
Recently opened in 2023, this store carries a curated collection of New Balance running gear while aiming to act as a community space, with central seating as its focus.
New Balance Newbury Street
This specialty run retailer, with stores in Newton, South End, and Cambridge, has a vibrant running club called Heartbreakers, which celebrates diversity “of pace and person.”
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Heartbreak Hill Running Company
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Why I Love Running Philadelphia
According to shoe maven Liz Pagonis
In 2005, Temple University college student Liz Pagonis walked into the Philadelphia Runner store to shop for shoes. She’d been running for fitness and “to get around the city,” she says. She soon joined the store’s group runs, then began working the retail floor part-time. She soon became a full-time employee. Ten years later, she’s the store’s chief marketing officer. Pagonis says joining group runs helped her connect to the city’s running community. With more than 50 running clubs to choose from, the community runs deep in Philly. “A lot of runners run with different clubs throughout the week,” says Pagonis. “There’s a thread that weaves us all together.” Runners can retrace the steps of the nation’s founding fathers and visit numerous historical landmarks, run along the path bordering the Schuylkill River, or charge up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Beginning runners and those looking to knock out fast mile splits will be happy to know that Philly has a predominantly flat landscape.
Philadelphia
Schuylkill River Trail
Center City to Old City
Wissahickon Valley Park
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Philly’s flat terrain is a recipe for success when it comes to higher-mileage races. Take the Philadelphia Distance Run, a half-marathon held in usually ideal temperatures each September. “At least six different half marathon world records have been set at the Philadelphia Distance Run,” says Pagonis. This event was among the first to offer elite nonbinary prize money, she adds. Learn More >
Philadelphia Distance Run
With 35,000 runners taking part, Broad Street is the largest ten-miler in the country and has a lottery to get in. The course runs from north to south, “right through the heart of the city,” says Pagonis, and ends in the Navy Yard, which is the southernmost point of Broad Street.
Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run
Each November, runners toe the starting line in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art for a 5K that starts at 7 a.m., or a ten-miler that starts at 8 a.m. Those who run the second race after completing the first earn a special “Italian Stallion” medal and bragging rights for having completed 13.1 miles in this fun and festive event.
Rocky Run 5K, 10-Mile, and 13.1 combined “Italian Stallion” challenge
The Philly 10K runs through the South Philly streets is what Pagonis calls “a local favorite.” Bands, vendors, and, some years, specialty beer brewed just for the event make the fast-and-flat course a party. The Philadelphia BMW Love Run Half Marathon takes place each March with a course that passes by many of the city’s historic landmarks. The Loop race has taken place on the 8.4 miles of the Schuylkill River Trail since 1972.
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It’s hard to picture running Philly without a nod to the “Rocky steps” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Pay homage with a trip up the 72 iconic stairs, then head for this multiuse recreational path that leads from City Center, just behind the museum, and parallels the river on both sides (Kelly Drive on the east and Martin Luther King Drive on the far west side). The path extends for more than 100 miles, connecting the city to the suburbs. “Eventually it’s going to connect to Delaware,” says Pagonis. An 8.4-mile loop, referred to by locals as the Loop, starts behind the museum.
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Schuylkill River Trail
Roughly 50 miles of trails wind through this urban park, but runners favor Forbidden Drive, named so because cars were banned from the packed-dirt and gravel road in the 1920s. The route hugs the Wissahickon Creek for 5.5 miles. “There are a ton of trails that you can connect to,” says Pagonis. “It’s in the woods, and you would never actually think you're in the city. It's just a really beautiful area.”
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Wissahickon Valley Park
“You're literally retracing the founding fathers’ footsteps,” says Pagonis. You could go see the Liberty Bell or run past Benjamin Franklin’s house.” Touring historic spots by foot, from Independence Hall to the President’s House (home to George Washington and John Adams when Philadelphia was the U.S. capital, from 1790 to 1800) gives you about a 5K run, says Pagonis.
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Center City to Old City
The Boxers’ Trail, where young boxers still train today, winds through the city’s Fairmount Park. An annual Boxers’ Trail 5K is held each September. The John Hines National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, or Tinicum for short, is “just a really quiet, beautiful part of Philadelphia that I think is very underutilized,” says Pagonis. “There’s not a lot of people down there, so you’re kind of alone with your thoughts. There’s good space to get in a solid run.”
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This independent and locally owned running store has locations in Center City, University City, Glen Mills, and Manayunk. The shop pride itself on personalized, professional fittings of running and walking shoes as well as sports bras.
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Philadelphia Runner
All of this shop’s locations—in Bryn Mawr and Westchester, plus sister stores in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware—offer personalized fittings and a rewards program. The Philadelphia-area stores also host group runs.
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Bryn Mawr Running Company
Head to 1615 Walnut Street in the Center City West neighborhood, known for its upscale shops and walkability.
New Balance Philadelphia
Philadelphia
This 9,000-women-strong Facebook group has had a presence in Philadelphia since 2013. Its mission is twofold: encourage African American women to be active, and lower the percentage of chronic diseases associated with an unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle.
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Black Girls RUN!
Established in 2022 to create safe spaces for LGBTQIIA+ runners of all paces, this group hosts three free weekly runs.
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Queer Run
The local chapter of this national running community hosts group runs on Mondays to start the week off right. The group also meets one or two other days a week.
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Endorphins Running
This group aims to transform students’ lives through running and mentorship, delivering positive outcomes from boosting GPAs to increasing graduation rates for program participants.
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Students Run Philly Style
Why I Love Running Chicago
According to running retailer Dave Zimmer
“Chicago is one of the best places in the world from May through October, with all its festivals and events,” says Dave Zimmer, “and the running scene is vibrant year-round.” The Chicago-area native should know. Zimmer and his wife, Lisa, spent the last 28 years opening Fleet Feet stores across the city. And though he admits, “you have to be kind of hardy,” to run through the winters, when it comes to routes, races, and other intangibles, Zimmer says, “Chicago is just fantastic.”
Running the Windy City starts with the bustling Lakefront Trail. Extending 18.5 miles along the Lake Michigan waterfront, north and south of downtown, the smooth, flat, and car-free path is a road runner’s paradise. Numerous running clubs offer organized group runs at all hours, seven days a week. The air coming off the lake provides a (slight) respite from humid summer heat, and there’s even a series of hydration stations on weekend mornings from June through October, staffed by Fleet Feet and the Chicago Area Runners Association.
Beyond the lure of the Lakefront, there are downtown loops under towering buildings and past iconic landmarks, plus endless targeted neighborhood runs, from touring street art in Pilsen to connecting hip eateries in Northalsted.
Chicago
The Lakefront
Des Plaines River Trail
The 606
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This smaller-scale event, held near St. Patrick’s Day each year, is always festive and kicks off the running season in Chicago, says Zimmer. Race weekend includes an 8K run, a two-mile walk, The Mile one-mile race, and no shortage of folks wearing green on the course. All events start and finish in Grant Park. Learn More >
Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle
With a start and finish line on Chicago’s West Side, in the Garfield Park neighborhood, this race travels through the boulevards, which are green-area medians that link neighborhoods. (The entire boulevard system spans 26 miles.) “It’s just spectacular,” says Zimmer of the race. Learn More >
Bank of America Chicago 13.1
This ten-mile race on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend sends runners through Museum Campus and along the Lake Michigan lakefront before finishing on the 50-yard line of Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears and Chicago Fire FC. Runners can watch themselves on the jumbotron as they cross the finish line. Learn More >
Soldier Field 10 Memorial Day Run
The 5K Race to Wrigley Charity Run starts near the home of the Cubs and finishes right in front of the iconic Wrigley Field marquee. Says Zimmer: “Ventures Endurance puts on really cool, super-local events like the Bucktown 5K, which goes to the neighborhood of Bucktown. And the Ravenswood 5K on the north side helps sustain a food pantry.” The Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) Ready to Run 20-Miler is a point-to-point, non-competitive event along the waterfront and acts as a marathon-training run for many.
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It can be accessed from many parts of the city and run in either direction, north or south. “You have the spectacular Lakefront South,” says Zimmer, “where, as you are coming from the South Side towards downtown, the city opens up in front of you.” Locals call the mishmash of paths intertwining just to the south of the city the “spaghetti bowl.” Zimmer recommends heading south from there and through Museum Campus, past the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, etc. “Once you get past McCormick Place,” says Zimmer, “when you turn around, all you see is the skyline in front of you.”
The North Side, Zimmer explains, has runners up against the water. And, he adds, “you have Ohio Street Beach, North Avenue Beach, Belmont Harbor, all the way to the end of the path.”
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The Lakefront
This refurbished rails-to-trails system just north of North Avenue is an elevated path that extends just over three miles. “The beauty of it,” says Zimmer, “is there are parks that you can peel off into.” If you just take a chance and give it a look, he adds, “It’s gorgeous, and so well done, such a great use of space.”
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The 606
This suburban soft-surface trail lines the Des Plaines River for just over 34 miles in Chicago’s Lake County, one of its many suburbs. “It’s beautiful,” says Zimmer. “And you can just keep on going north until you hit Wisconsin.”
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Des Plaines River Trail
Probably the most popular of the suburban running areas, according to Zimmer, is the trail system within the Palos Forest Preserve, or just Palos. Some 350 miles of trail weave through the area, varying from paved to gravel, and include notable elevation gain and loss otherwise hard to come by in Chicago. On the west side of the Windy City is the Prairie Path, which cuts through, you guessed it, prairies.
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Old Town, Lakeview, Lincoln Square, South Loop, Deerfield Elmhurst, Oak Park, Rockford // Dave and Lisa Zimmer’s eight Chicago-area stores serve runners and walkers of all ability levels under the motto “Running changes everything.”
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Fleet Feet
NRC North, NRC South, NRC Wheaton, NRC Annex // The locally owned, independent NRC has three locations, plus a track club and a reservable space called the Underground for events like cross-country team pasta parties. Head to the Annex location for closeout deals and limited-run merchandise.
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Naperville Running Company
This specialty run store carrying all New Balance goods is known for its excellent customer service.
New Balance Chicago, Highland Park
Highland Park
A Chicago staple among running clubs for 25 years, this team is open to all and has coached workouts on Wednesday evenings in the Old Town neighborhood. An Elite Team option is also available.
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Fleet Feet Chicago Racing Team
This group hosts seven different group runs in the three-to-six-mile range throughout the city on various days of the week. Brands often demo gear to participants.
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Fleet Feet Running Club
The local chapter of this national running group meets once or twice a week, and always on Monday mornings to start the week off on a good foot.
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Endorphins Running
Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood and connected to Heartbreak Boston, this store hosts group runs throughout the week and offers a specialty run shopping experience.
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Heartbreak Chicago
Why I Love Running Austin
According to club lead Michael Zocco
An enthusiastic transplant from the East Coast, Michael Zocco loves spreading joy about Austin, Texas, as a fantastic running city. “It’s a very special community,” says the co-city lead for the Endorphin Running Club, Austin Area. Zocco and his co-lead, Makayla Bassi, host group runs every Monday evening and occasionally other weekdays, plus long runs on Saturdays. Whatever the day, the message remains one of inclusivity and positivity through running.
“Our goal,” says Zocco, “is to expand as much as possible, where we can get people from all different paces and experience levels to be able to share that same space: endorphins.”
Zocco says he loves how other running groups and clubs around town offer group runs throughout each week. “That makes Austin so special,” he says. The majority of runners in Austin head to the multiuse trail around Lady Bird Lake, which is actually a segment of the Colorado River. Teeming with runners and other recreationalists, the ten miles of smooth path along the waterfront is a testament to Austin’s health-and-fitness-loving vibe.
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Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail
Tejas trail system
Congress Avenue
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With a full marathon, plus a half and a 5K, Austin Marathon weekend each February is “like the Super Bowl of the running community,” says Zocco. “The visibility of running, of health and wellness in general, is at an all-time high that weekend,” he says, “and everyone comes out to either run or support the event.” Learn More >
Ascension Seton Austin Marathon
Taking place every January, this half marathon drops more than 300 feet in elevation from start to finish. “A lot of people like to PR that race,” says Zocco. “It’s a special event.” Learn More >
3M Half Marathon
This event is in its 45th year and features a half marathon, 5K, and kids’ mile. The half wraps around Decker Lake on hilly roads, serving as a hearty training run for those working toward a spring marathon. Learn More >
Decker Challenge
The Zilker Relays, held in Zilker Metropolitan Park, bring together teams of four with each team member running 2.5 miles. The Austin Distance Challenge leads up to January’s Ascension Seton Marathon and Half Marathon. Many sign up for and run all events, starting with the CASA Superhero 5K in September, followed by the Daisy Dash 10K in October, the Run for the Water 10-Miler in November, the Decker Challenge Half in December, the 3M Half in January, and the Marathon in February. Completing all events earns runners perks like a “Distance Den” bag drop and snack area post-race, and special all-event finisher’s jacket.
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While the official name for this ten-mile path around Lady Bird Lake is long, the trail that circumnavigates a dammed section of the Colorado River is casually referred to as Lady Bird or the Lake Trail. What makes this highly trafficked route special, Zocco says, is how it allows runners to connect with each other. “You realize there are a lot of people who care about the same things you do,” he says. “And for everyone who loves recording their runs, it’s a perfect ten-mile loop, so it’s great for training.”
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Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail
Running on this 1.5-mile road between Lady Bird Lake to the Texas State Capitol is “just super iconic,” says Zocco. “People do out-and-backs up and down Congress for the city scenery.”
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Congress Avenue
Just outside the city, in the Texas Hill Country, is Tejas, home to trail races and ultramarathons. The terrain is flat but beautiful—and peaceful. “You can hear a pin drop there,” says Zocco.
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Tejas State Park Trail System
The Barton Creek Greenbelt heads just over seven miles past limestone cliffs and the creek. For a bit of rugged terrain in the city, the Shoal Creek Hike and Bike Trail veers off Lady Bird Lake for three miles. And don’t miss Barton Springs, a pristine natural spring connected to Lady Bird Lake that welcomes swimmers year-round—summer group runs often start and finish there, and runners take a dip to cool down afterward.
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Just off the path around Lady Bird Lake, this store hosts group runs, gait analysis, and nutrition consultations, plus a curated selection of fashion-forward running footwear, apparel, and accessories
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The Loop Running Supply
This locally owned shop, located in the Far West Retail Center, specializes in gait analysis and shoe fittings.
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Ready to Run
With locations at Circle C, Gateway, and Seaholm, Fleet Feet Austin provides shoe fittings and apparel, “family-like” training, and group run sessions.
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Fleet Feet Austin Downtown
Part of the nationwide group, this chapter meets for weekly runs led by Zocco and/or Bassi to celebrate community while running along Lady Bird Lake.
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Endorphins Running
Hosting group runs open to all paces, this female-led club also connects its members to other running events throughout Austin.
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Your Mother’s Run Crew
This club for all ages and paces organizes group runs and a host of events, including the Daisy 5K, the Decker Challenge Half Marathon, the Austin Distance Challenge, and the Zilker Relays.
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Discover the running potential of LA alongside Mallory Kilmer as she leaves her comfort zone behind for her first trip running on the West Coast. Fortunately, she has good guidance from LA Running Connoisseur Kate Olson. The two connect over their shared love of the sport, then take to the iconic trails of Griffith Park. After assessing the city’s sheer volume and variety of both running options and running clubs, the duo meets up with a vibrant, local club that provides an instant sense of the greater community.