Good Runs From American River College, Sacramento

Unless things have changed since I last ran at ARC in the early 2000s, I do remember there being a short trail behind the school by the creek. But it was really short and nothing special. Only good enough for warmup/cooldowns. And running on the roads around there basically sucks 100%. Too much vehicle traffic and ugly strip malls.

If I were you I'd make the short drive south down Watt Ave to the American River itself. Endless awesome runs of varying length.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/american-river-bike-trail-sacramento

sacramento kings fan wrote:

Unless things have changed since I last ran at ARC in the early 2000s, I do remember there being a short trail behind the school by the creek. But it was really short and nothing special. Only good enough for warmup/cooldowns. And running on the roads around there basically sucks 100%. Too much vehicle traffic and ugly strip malls.

If I were you I'd make the short drive south down Watt Ave to the American River itself. Endless awesome runs of varying length.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/american-river-bike-trail-sacramento

+1 The American River Bike Trail is a great place to run.

OK, thanks. I knew about the American River Trail, I was hoping for something right around the college. Maybe we'll pack a picnic lunch for the kids that go and swim in the river afterward.

CoachB wrote:

OK, thanks. I knew about the American River Trail, I was hoping for something right around the college. Maybe we'll pack a picnic lunch for the kids that go and swim in the river afterward.

Much better option. Worth the effort to get there. I do this all the time in the summer...run + swim in lake/river to cool off.

Do be careful in the river. Water is cold this time of year currents can catch those with limited swimming ability off guard.

Kings fan, were you at the last game of the season against the Clips on Wednesday?

I was there, and ironically it was my 1st ever live Kings game. The crowd was really into it. Good to see.

While I hope that Seattle gets the Sonics back, I think that it should be an expansion team.

Rocky Balboa wrote:

Kings fan, were you at the last game of the season against the Clips on Wednesday?

I was there, and ironically it was my 1st ever live Kings game. The crowd was really into it. Good to see.

While I hope that Seattle gets the Sonics back, I think that it should be an expansion team.

Yes, Rocky, I was there! Was cool to see Mitch Richmond in the house.

Been going to games at ARCO here and there since 1989. While attendance is down the last couple of years due to poor economy/high prices/bad team/horrendous owners, there is no doubt in my mind that the Kings should stay in Sac for good. Us Kings fans have supported many a bad team and yes, we do get loud. Sellouts year after year. I have a soft spot for ARCO...so many memories and the bare-bones (and not to mention LOUD) aspect of it is kind of unique in today's NBA...but I think a new arena downtown could be really cool and good for the city. GO KINGS

Yeah man that arena is very "basic." I liked the Asian rice bowl stand. Good food for runners. That's only the 2nd time I've been there, the previous time was in 1996 for Pantera, only 10 days after Phil's major OD. Epic show if you are into metal.

Yeah they need a new ownership group and a new arena in downtown Sacramento. I've been a Warriors/49ers/Giants/A's fan all my life.

There are no really good running options near ARC. That trail you saw on the maps is sketchy and unsafe.

Best bet for a good run is to go to Sunrise Blvd river access (Pennsylvania Avenue), run to other side of river (south side) on foot bridge, and go up or down river. Both are great options.

http://goo.gl/maps/UIkMy

Another good option is William Pond Park on American River, at the end of Arden Way. Probably slightly better to go downstream from here.

http://goo.gl/maps/DjdPo

PS - Do not have your kids swimming in American River this time of year. Deceptively cold and fast. Many drowning deaths every year, sadly.

Kings are staying in Sac! As it should be!

OP, what run did you end up doing after the meet?

The small trail is the best warmup area ever. Off to the side over a makeshift concrete bridge... yes

Late response but I'm on the American River track team. We run the trail that goes back behind the track and all the way through the neighborhoods. Pretty sure you found that on Google Maps, if you follow it all the way out, run around the park and turn back, it's 2.3 miles.

On our recovery days, we run to the golf course near the freeway. from ARC, head towards the freeway and there's a park to the left of the on-ramp and there are numerous trails that go to the golf course. Around the entire golf course is a good 7 -8 miles.

Good luck next year!

Sacto runner wrote:

PS - Do not have your kids swimming in American River this time of year. Deceptively cold and fast. Many drowning deaths every year, sadly.

Thanks for the tips, guys. I'm aware of the dangers of our local rivers. We get plenty of drowning deaths on the tuolumne as well. We ended up running from the Watt Road parking area, then had a picnic afterward and splashed around in the river, which was neither cold, nor fast (thanks mrs. la nina) and only about a foot deep.

My guy ran pretty well, but got roasted by 9 guys on the last lap. Still a 5 sec pr.