El Paso TX, most underrated city in the US for runners???

- Definitely hasn't hurt the number of WC runners from the UTEP Miners program.

why would being next to Mexico be specifically good for runners

dbsquirtNXC21 wrote:

why would being next to Mexico be specifically good for runners

Isn't it obvious?

its hot as hell in the summer. Can't imagine its a good place to train then.

some guy on lrrc wrote:

its hot as hell in the summer. Can't imagine its a good place to train then.

It's a dry heat, try somewhere where it is humid. And from the looks of it, doesn't look bad if you get up early.

No. My wife is from there. She said no good trails there and to go to Mexico to run is dangerous due to the cartels.

I'm an a$$hole from El Paso and it would suck to train there. There are actually few of any runnable trails in the Franklin Mountains and if you head out in the desert make sure you absolutely love running in endless sand and loose rock. The only good thing would be training and living 4 to 5 thousand feet above sea level.

Access to las farmacias? Is that what you’re getting at? Or just running faster knowing someone might kidnap you for ransom if you’re too slow?

obviously a bonus wrote:

dbsquirtNXC21 wrote:

why would being next to Mexico be specifically good for runners

Isn't it obvious?

The chips and salsa?

If you don't like the sand, there are miles of dirt paths along the canals or irrigation ditches in the upper and lower valleys. I've seen some of the guys from UTEP run there (upper valley). In the summer if you get up early the heat isn't really a problem. Some nice paved streets with big climbs like McKelligon Canyon and all kinds of streets that run towards the mountain on the east or west side. There's also a section of elevated freeway (spur 601) that has enough room for about a 3k loop in the shade when you run under there. Like anywhere else I guess, you can find ways to do what you like to do, or to complain about why you can't.

My wife and I live in Boulder (ranked as overrated on the other LR thread) and Boulder is clearly better - although she has extended family in El Paso

It's likely rated about right. Lived there for a few years in the '90s and the constant news stories of bodies found on the outskirts of Juarez kept me from wanting to go across. As mentioned, there are good, flat, dirt paths for miles in the upper valley, up from Sunland Park, along the Rio. Usually started from what's now called Braden Aboud Park and made a loop. Plenty of hills whenever you want them. Great climate for training Sept-May, but even the "dry heat" got to be a bear by mid-July. And I moved there from SE TX so know all about muggy summer weather. It would still be well above 80 at sunrise. Just a bit extreme, Albuquerque would probably be milder in summer. The altitude wasn't anything great, the city sits below 4000'. The Franklin trails aren't runable, though I see they now have trail races there. Probably a lot like other trail races with plenty of power hiking. Winds and dust storms in the spring could absolutely screw up your training. Nothing else great close by, it's hundreds of miles from San Antonio, Austin, Albuquerque. Las Cruces and Alamogordo are worse. The local competitive racing scene is quite weak for a city that size, probably because the vast majority of residents are inactive and fat. I left for CO, too.

under rated city wrote:

I've been looking at moving to El Paso, for a few reasons:

1. Cost of living is very good.

2. Right next to Mexico, obvious reasons why this is a bonus for runners.

3. Some what high in altitude, not as high as I would like.

4. Women outnumber men, this should be obvious why this would be a bonus for letsrunners.

5. Actually one of the safest cities in America.

Good god, why live there when you could live in Las Cruces, NM? 40 miles (and a world away) west?

Way better living and running.

Mal Odorous wrote:

under rated city wrote:

I've been looking at moving to El Paso, for a few reasons:

1. Cost of living is very good.

2. Right next to Mexico, obvious reasons why this is a bonus for runners.

3. Some what high in altitude, not as high as I would like.

4. Women outnumber men, this should be obvious why this would be a bonus for letsrunners.

5. Actually one of the safest cities in America.

Good god, why live there when you could live in Las Cruces, NM? 40 miles (and a world away) west?

Way better living and running.

This. I have been living in Las Cruces since 2010, and can agree. El Paso is okay but lots of traffic and not as many places to run. It’s convenient though for larger races since it’s only a 35-45 minute drive from Las Cruces.

The running scene here in Las Cruces and southern New Mexico in general is in serious need of improvement, with lots of potential. The competitive running scene in New Mexico is all up north in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Los Alamos.

However there are many great places to run here, or nearby. Even though Las Cruces is at 4,000 ft, you can easily take a 1.5 hour road trip to nearby Cloudcroft or Ruidoso for higher altitude 6,000-9,000 ft. Flat paved trails along the Rio Grande River, long hill climbs up toward the Organ Mountains, lots of good local coffee shops for post run coffee, sunshine over 300 days a year, great local brewery scene, etc. His city is growing fast in the right direction, and it’s only a matter of time when it becomes the next Tucson.

NM State might be one of the saddest campuses I've ever set foot on. NM Highlands may be worse, but at least it's at 6000'.

LC is EP minus a vibrant downtown. Butt ugly.

"Las Cruces: Possibly the Next Tucson!" is a hell of a civic motto. Hope you like retirees.

El Paso. For those of you who no habla Espanol, El Paso is Spanish for...the Paso.

El Paso is fvcking awful. Las Cruces is nice only because it's compared to El Paso and nothing can be worse than El Paso.

nmRUNNERgirl wrote:

The running scene here in Las Cruces and southern New Mexico in general is in serious need of improvement, with lots of potential. The competitive running scene in New Mexico is all up north in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Los Alamos.

However there are many great places to run here, or nearby. Even though Las Cruces is at 4,000 ft, you can easily take a 1.5 hour road trip to nearby Cloudcroft or Ruidoso for higher altitude 6,000-9,000 ft. Flat paved trails along the Rio Grande River, long hill climbs up toward the Organ Mountains, lots of good local coffee shops for post run coffee, sunshine over 300 days a year, great local brewery scene, etc. His city is growing fast in the right direction, and it’s only a matter of time when it becomes the next Tucson.

The upper-middle class job scene that caters to outdoor fitness enthusiasts isn't very prevalent in LC outside of the university. Plus the "local brewery scene" has a 2-beer limit and closes at like 9pm. So while sure there are these amenities if you look hard enough, but if you're going to live somewhere for the running scene, it's not high on the list. See also: Lubbock.

Been there done that got the hell out wrote:

El Paso is fvcking awful. Las Cruces is nice only because it's compared to El Paso and nothing can be worse than El Paso.

Have you seen Amarillo? Cheyenne? Waco?