Best running cities in US

Kennekuk Jack wrote:

Is there anything in the Blue Ridge mountains? I know there aren't any real cities, but there seem to be some towns that look like they would be nice for running.

Yes, the Boone/Blowing Rock area is fantastic. Moses Cone Park (one of the best systems in the country), Boone Greenway and soon-to-be-completed Middle Fork Greenway, Kanawha Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway, Watauga River Road, Mulberry Road. Weather is similar to coastal New England, not humid like surrounding areas

hot tot wrote:

Pittsburgh. Don't knock it till you've tried it.

Pittsburgh

Boston, oh hell nah

Climate?

ABQ and San Diego are my favorite cities to run in.

ABQ has it all. Nice city trails. Nice mountain trails. A little elevation (city sits ~5,000 feet). Great weather. Great food and beer.

I'll probably get ripped to shreds for this, but St. Louis is pretty good. Forest Park has tons of trails; urban running is pretty good with lots of flat, straight roads with few cars; there are some good trails outside the city (Castlewood, Queeny); St Louis Track Club is a decent running scene; festival of miles ever summer. Easy access to Chicago racing scene without actually having to live in Chicago.

Summers can be brutal but winters are usually short.

Central Park wrote:

New York "MF" City

I'm not sure whether this was sarcastic or not, but I live in NYC and here are some reasons why this has to be near the top, despite the apparent cons.

Pros:

1. NYC is an actual city that has a lot to offer (food/culture/events, and of course jobs).

2. If you live and work in NYC (i.e. little to no commute), you can run in Central Park trails and be in wooden areas at 8:00 AM, and at a meeting at 9:00 AM or even before. I've done it, and it feels awesome. You're not driving to/from trails.

3. Weather can appear to be a con, but grow some balls. Spring and Summer are great, Summer is hot but definitely OK and more OK than many U.S. states. Winter can be problematic, but at least you can a change of scenery!

4. Lots of runners. Top medical centers (hey who never gets injured!). Feels like a place where running matters.

5. NYCM is one of the very best marathons in the world.

6. Running community (for those into it) is big with many clubs.

And of course: CENTRAL PARK! I personally love it. Some will hate saying it's crowded, but that's really not an issue, and we have the bridle path and reservoir. Of course it can be an issue if you're running low 5 min/mi reps, but that's part of the fun and I'd rather use a ~ 1.5 mile "track" than a proper 400m one.

My personal beefs is the lack of race diversities (NYRR races are kind of all the same), and the difficulty to get to great nature without a car (Bear Mountain and other upstate State Park like Rockerfeller).

Any other NYC runners want to chime in on the pros and cons? Been running here for 10 years, yet I feel like I know very little.

GO NEERS1 wrote:

Kennekuk Jack wrote:

Is there anything in the Blue Ridge mountains? I know there aren't any real cities, but there seem to be some towns that look like they would be nice for running.

Yes, the Boone/Blowing Rock area is fantastic. Moses Cone Park (one of the best systems in the country), Boone Greenway and soon-to-be-completed Middle Fork Greenway, Kanawha Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway, Watauga River Road, Mulberry Road. Weather is similar to coastal New England, not humid like surrounding areas

Thanks a lot for the info! Boone was actually one of the towns that came to mind because of its elevation, but I didn't know anything else about it. I'd love to move to somewhere with better running weather (Illinois winters suck the life out of me) and nice country roads or trails, but I doubt my wife would go for it.

"NYC is an actual city"?? What does that mean?

Food? Do you think you have better access to grocery stores in NYC?

What do you mean by culture? If you are a dude and value access to musicals then.........well.....maybe that's a good thing to do with your boyfriend? Not sure what to say.

"Actual" city = more than just a few tall buildings and streets. People from various origins, various purposes. A city with many transportation means, no matter how crappy they may seem (bus, citibike, subway, taxis) that allow you to not have a car. A city with quality and variety of restaurants and things to do. Contrast these to say, I don't know, Detroit or even Chicago (sorry Chicago, but you just can't compete on diversity here).

Food: yeah you actually get better access to quality food. Japanese sushi restaurants get fresh fish from Japan daily. Try sushi here. Grocery stores get produce from Mexico and further faster than Texas does, thanks to freight / flights per day.

What do I mean by culture? Thanks for asking. I guess museums/exhibits/events/plays, sure musicals too. There's a bit for everyone. If you have a favorite artist, chances are he'll stop by MSG or Brooklyn at some point. Not the same can be said for Tulsa or Dayton.

Not a fan of NYC for running. It's actually better when the weather is sh!t because otherwise anywhere you might want to run is overrun by Cat-5 Strava heroes and idiot pedestrians.

Ha, yes Central Park cyclists are the worst.

Surf City wrote:

Huntington Beach. Great weather year round, great girls year round.

Running in southern california is pretty nice. Beach / ocean front runs on the weekends. Palos Verdes for hills. Mission Viejo is good.

Brenda Martinez shows how to do it living up in Lake Arrowhead/Big Bear (wherever she has her home) and then commuting down to train low.

Also have to put in a word for Santa Barbara.

Lots of races of all kinds.

Spokane, WA

Colorado Springs, CO

Southern California (take your pick)

Bay Area is the winner, and by a lot.

Albuquerque 2nd.

NY CITY???

Are you kidding?

Yes, there is culture, yes there are jobs? Yes there is diversity.

But, you pay an arm and a leg to live there, need to work many hours which leaves less time to train.

There is smog all the time.

There is Central Park, how often can you run there before you get sick of it. The crowds in CP are ridiculous and a bunch of A-holes to boot.

If you own a car, how much do you have to pay to park it? Grocery stores are expensive, restaurants are expensive, culture is expensive. This is not a place to live to train, that is crazy.

I love to visit the Bay Area, but I would not want to live there. Traffic is a nightmare. Weather is ok, but I'd go with San Diego - trails, beaches, mountains. Plenty of good races and runners.

Ok, that's a different perspective. To each his own.

the_librarian97823 wrote:

I'll probably get ripped to shreds for this, but St. Louis is pretty good.

To shreds, you say?

Spokanite wrote:

Spokane, WA

Aside from the paved river trail, where else is there to run? I've never enjoyed running the city streets.