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

You’ve got Massachusetts way too high. New York is a better state than Massachusetts for running, and it’s missing from your top 10.

Based on weather, Alaska has got to be one of the 10 worst states for runners.

Interesting list...

Although I would say that some of the northern plains states should make it on the "worst" list based on those criteria...

The southern states are bad on culture but there are rarely times you can't run outside due to weather.

And the terrain thing various depending to some degree where you live in the state.

For instance, here in Norman, OK... the city is flat... but two miles out of town it is rapid fire hills and they are the type of hills that you can do tempo runs on. You rarely have to change gears, but you have maybe thirty or forty seconds up and then the same down... For miles. Perfect terrain for developing strength.

Fl is a great place to train if you are a sprinter or 800m guy.

Massachusetts #1? Are you serious?

In what world is Massachusetts number one? You buy into the Boston Marathon hype that much? It is cold and dark for much of the year. Give me the rest of your top 10 over Mass easily.

Alabama actually has some great places to run. Lots of dirt and clay roads. Generally October-March is good training weather. Never too cold to run outside. Culture isn't great but the high school scene is pretty decent.

Massachusetts is not a top 10 state. North Carolina is even better. States that are good are states also with an abundance of gravel roads and dirt roads. Even in the winter when you can’t get high up they’re good for training. Seriously also Alaska is a good running state.

I would say western MA is good for trail running though.

Something tells me that the OP is trying to send a subtle political message

Feel like Arizona would be highly contingent on Flag/Prescott (good) or greater Phoenix/Tucson (less good)

No reason not to include NH if you're gonna throw VT and ME in there. Nice rail trails and such, great summer and fall. Hell, Connecticut/Jersey/upstate NY/Michigan have some sweet rail trails as well and fairly big scenes for post-collegiate and casual running. Minnesota has a huge running culture

If I had to ride for anything not included, I'd say North Carolina. Their big population centers (Triangle, Charlotte, Winston) are generally fine-to-great for running and then you also have Asheville and Boone. I tend to prefer heat over cold + snow because at least you can get outside most days in the heat...just need to be up early

Iowa > Nebraska/Dakotas. Hawaii probably low-key sucks for running based on humidity and the fact I can think of only one runner of note (Pierce Murphy) to ever come from there. Arkansas is likely bottom 10. Nevada seems not amazing. West Virginia is so beautiful but has zero running infrastructure - alas

In what world is it better to be a runner in Alaska or North Dakota than Iowa or Ohio?

NE Ohio has 100s of miles of trails in and around the CVNP. I’ve spent time in all 50 states. Ohio is not even close to the bottom 10z

Are you basing your list off of trail running?

What part of California are you referring to? There’s nothing similar between the Sacramento Valley, the Bay Area, Southern California, the California Central Coast and Lake Tahoe.

I dont disagree with MA being #1, when you factor in the racing scene. The indoor opportunities more than make up for the weather in the winter (which isn't really that bad). It also has the advantage of being a smaller area state - NYC area would clearly be ahead of MA, but you have to factor in buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester as well.

Arizona is one of the worst states for running - not the best. While Flagstaff is good for running (and any of the sky islands), the vast majority of the state is a very hot desert with few safe routes for running.

I would echo the people who say Alaska would be in the top 10 worst to be a runner from weather alone. I remember way back in the day when Trevor Dunbar placed 2nd at Foot Locker Nationals, in the interview with him he claimed that Alaska was a terrible place to live if you were trying to be good at running. Given the caliber of runner he was on top of getting out of Alaska for college, I'd take his word for it

Maine's cities and towns are decent but rural Maine is horrible - people run on the shoulders of highways.

Florida is actually a great state to be a runner. Atlantic Coast isn't the best but Gulf Coast and North Florida have amazing parks and trails.

Honestly, its better to rate cities instead of entire states. EG Texas has good places like the Woodlands and Mass has places that are bad in small towns.

Wisconsin by a mile. They have a bunch of cheap D3 schools where its easy to get attention as a middling runner and develop.