Philly Running Spots

Depending where you are and if you have a car, you could go down the river run a loop and some. Go to Forbidden drive run through that. Valley Forge park isn't too far off. If around Delco, you could go to Ridley Creek State Park.

I definitely recommend Valley Forge

Valley Forge Park gives you many options.

However, as a regular runner there, I would advise you drive to the Betzwood Picnic Area and run on the other side of the Schuylkill River. Stay away from the paved paths in the park itself due to the wind and the wandering tourists with the souvenir tricorn hats.

Check this out:

http://www.happyrunning.com/where.html

some say the best place to run is Southwest Philly.

Identify yourself SWP! I thought I was the only SWP runner on here. Been a year or two since running down Lindberg Blvd and Main St in Darby. Miss those days!

If I had to choose one place to run in my old home town, it would be Forbidden Drive a/k/a The Wissahickon, or Valley Green. End to end, from Lincoln Drive out to Northwestern Ave in Chestnut hill is about 10.5 miles, all on dirt/gravel surface. Hard to believe it is within the city limits, really a beautiful place to run... see web site below. From Center City, drive out the Schuylkill Expressway (76 West) and follow the signs as you approach City Line Ave, for Lincoln Drive (exit will be on your right; City Ave on left); or, take the Kelly Drive west and also look for Lincoln Drive; follow the Drive to the first light, and take a right; then take two lefts to circle back in the opposite direction of the Drive, and there is a pulloff where you can park immediately on your right (do not leave valuables in the car!). Small path leads you along a small stream down to the main path, take a right, and enjoy the next 10+ miles.

Info/map here:

http://www.fow.org/

Friends of the Wissahickon.

Agreed, as a born and bred Philly dude, Valley Green bridle trail is my numero uno although I tend to start from the Chestnut Hill end...as a now non-resident (there to visit the 'rents etc) I'm often running from downtown in which case, Logan Circle and out and back on Kelly Drive is good for me...man, I started my road racing career down at boathouse row some almost 40 years ago...sems downright crazy today.

MF

Hi, Mike... same for me re: the River Drives... first race there was around 1966... from the old Plaisted Hall, I'm sure you remember the ancient basketball court, the long flight up stairs up to the lockers/showers. Five miles out and back, how many times have you run that, right? They did a nice job, I think, with the replacement structure. First run at the Wissahickon was also in '66, Ed Dodd dragged a couple of us for over two hours in 90 degree weather... out to the Chestnut Hill end, then off on roads beyond that. Had never run more than an hour as a HS-er, was beyond exhausted :).

Know your brother, expect to see him over Relays weekend, as well as many other "old timers" from that era.

Those old Plaisted Hall Sunday morning races...and what a cast of characters, Browning Ross, Joe Mcilhinney, Larry Simmons...then there was the motley crew of regular runners...Lorenz, Donnelley, Moses Mayfield. I ran down there a few weeks back and saw the many old ghosts (and the structure that replaced plaisted hall)...have a blast at Penn...as you know, best vantage point is just right of the paddock on the railing at first turn.

MF

Mike,

I'm sure we ran in some of the same races BITD, that's a familiar cast of characters... can remember when they'd have 5 mile handicap races (based on the time you'd submit for yourself), Lorenz and maybe Osler would be last to start, but run down most of the field anyway.

And, yes, I will spend most of Friday on the railing between the gate where the runners exit after their races, and over in front of the clock/scoreboard. Can't beat it... unfortunately, you can no longer access that area on Saturday, unless you are a competitor.

I remember those prediction runs well...and how about when we started and finished Philly Marathon at Plaisted Hall? 1 mile loop around the Art Museum, up East river drive, across East Falls bridge, down West river Drive about 600 yards, tirn around and back to Plaisted Hall...times three...I remember running it one year and the winner was "Will" Rodgers by the accounts in Bulletin/Inquirer...before hist string of NY and boston wins

MF

That was probably Bill's best moment on the River Drives... his first "big" marathon win... and when your brother Gary upset him in the Diet Pepsi 10k a number of years later, that was probably his worst.

stillrunning wrote:

That was probably Bill's best moment on the River Drives... his first "big" marathon win... and when your brother Gary upset him in the Diet Pepsi 10k a number of years later, that was probably his worst.

Ahhh, the Diet Pepsi upset of Bill and Rod...I have a funny story about that one that'd I'd share with you only

MF