Top ten worst and best states to live in as a runner

There is no organized running groups that I know or met, but Delaware, yes Delaware is a ridiculously under-rated state to run in.

They have a great state park system...White Clay Creek Park, Brandywine Valley, Killens Pond, Trap, Lums, Cape Henlopen...all fantastic places to run.

You have the C&D Canal bike path that is like 14 miles long one way The Castle trail is nice, as well.

Loved the 2 years I lived there but if you need organized runs or good groups to run wjth, good luck

Or he hates humidity

L.A is the best if you can afford it

Talking purely running options, I have lived in 7 different locations in Massachusetts (6 different towns) All but one of them were within no more than a short warm-up run of extensive trail loops or long bike paths. The one exception still had a 1-mile trail loop within 1/4 mile of it. The first 5 locations were pretty modest, so I am not just talking about wealthy enclaves.

It is never too cold for a workout (wind and precipitation can make workouts unreasonable, but never cold alone), and in the AM, never too hot. Some states have locations that have better running options than anything you can find in Massachusetts, but I think Mass is pretty great in that just about anywhere you live you will have quality running opportunities.

What about the pollution?

Edmonton has a litter and moose problem which is detrimental to good running.

Best:

1. California (if you can afford it): High altitude training locations, all types of weather. Avoid LA.

2. Vermont: endless dirt roads, best fall, good small towns.

3. Colorado: tough to beat. So many good spots. Could be the best but highly contingent on wildfires and air quality like the rest of the west.

Worst:

1. Mississippi: bad culture, bad infrastructure, dangerous, humid.

2. Louisiana: bad culture, bad infrastructure, dangerous, humid, Cancer Alley.

3. North Dakota: Not scenic, very cold, bad infrastructure, windy.

North Dakota has to be #1 for worst places....for 6 months of the year, its a coin flip whether you can even leave your house with the intent to run.

I ran here, I coach here, and Ive lived here my whole life....We have had spring track seasons where our track didnt clear of snow until Mid April and the season ends Memorial Day Weekend.

People talk all the time about what times it takes to run at X,Y,Z....Look at North Dakota kids and understand they are doing what they do while they have a 6 week track season lol. Especially distance athletes, the wind is always howling here. 15 MPH winds are considered light. Its an incredibly tough place to train consistently.

Having lived in 3 states I would say western MT was the best. Milder climate with easiest access to high elevation and really good running infrastructure. CA is slightly worse imo because, although you have diversity of climate and geography, actually getting to quality trails is a huge pain bc of traffic and it almost always requires a fee once you get there. I'm sure it would be number one if I lived in the foothills, though. ND is worst if only because winters suck so much.

'Ditto' on Louisiana. You hit the nail on the head.

Where in FL? Fort lauderdale sucks