1st stop Boston by miketong

Want to run up the Empire State Building? Put on a costume and your running shoes for a 7 mile party on the go? How about running off the 5 pounds you’re about to gain on your trip to Paris, while you’re in Paris? Whether you already pack your running shoes in your suitcase wherever you go, or you want some inspiration to begin the habit, check out these great running cities, events and tips to get you going on your next trip.

San Francisco

As soon as I discovered San Francisco’s annual Bay to Breakers Run, I’ve marked it in my calender every year (now 8 years running!). It’s a party on the go - people in costumes, famous runners hoping to win, and people that just want to hang out on the sidelines and watch - it’s a May tradition for many Bay Area locals and a great time to visit the city weather wise. Golden Gate Park, the Golden Gate Bridge, and along the Great Highway are great places to run anytime of year. For more ideas on running in San Francisco, visit:

Events:
San Francisco Marathon - Run over the Golden Gate Bridge at 6am, and run on one of the most hilly marathon routes!
Nike Women’s Marathon - Sells out fast, but if you are lucky to get a spot for next year, you’ll enjoy free chocolate during the race and massages after!
Bridge to Bridge

Resources:
San Francisco Road Runners Club
San Francisco Bay Area Trail Runs

New York

Think the view from the top of New York City’s Empire State Building is enough to leave you breathless? Try running up the steps during the ESB Run UP, a race that includes 1,576 steps leading to the Observatory deck on the 86th floor and takes place in February.

There are plenty of great neighborhoods and parks in New York to explore. Here are a few resources and tips:

New York City Running Trails - list of scenic paths to run
New York Road Runners Club

Boston

In a few weeks, many runners will be gearing up for the famous Boston Marathon. To run the race, you must run in a qualifying marathon under a certain time limit for your age. For example, I would have to run 26.2 miles in less than 3 hours and 40 minutes to be elibible. The thought of this gives me shin splints! Luckily, Boston is a great city to run in anytime of year, as long as you don’t mind running in chilly air, or sweaty temps. You’ll get a great view of Boston’s historic streets and beautiful views.

Resources:
Boston Marathon.org - Marathon information and other helpful running tips
Bay Circuit Trail and Greenway

Other Resources on where to go, and tips to keep in mind:
Runners World
Run the Planet