World Running Guide: Manhattan, New York

Finding a city’s secret spots can only really happen at human speed. In this series, World Running Guide, we’ll provide information to help you discover your next destination through the eyes (or rather, feet) of a runner.

Senses are ablaze as your feet pound through the concrete jungle. Your heart pumps harder with every taxi horn, pigeon swoosh overhead or biker zooming past. No city offers adrenaline quite like New York, especially when daring to run through its already jamming streets. So, submit to the Sinatra classic: “These vagabond shoes are longing to stray, right through the very heart of it, New York, New York.”

On Your Mark

Photo courtesy of M01229, CC-BY

I know what some Manhattan newbies might be thinking: “Running in NYC with crazy traffic, a suffocating number of skyscrapers and 8 million people—doesn’t it sound kind of miserable?” Even amid all of those people, the running community is tightly knit. While you won’t have sweeping mountainous views in the Great Apple, you do have six miles of car-free landscape in Central Park. If you don’t mind the “urban jungle,” there are bridges and greenways for breathtaking views of the city and Hudson River.

New York is highly esteemed in athletic circles, especially for running. Runner’s World rated the city as #8 in their top 50 running cities in the U.S. and Women’s Running bumped it up to #5 on their list. According to Strava, New Yorkers go on 4,259 runs per week and run 23,092 miles per week. Never fear the beast that is Manhattan—there’s more to this town than just gridlock. Some say running through this buzzing metropolis is as exciting as a real-life videogame, so lace up and get ready for a wild ride.

Get Set

Photo courtesy of D.aniela, CC-BY-ND

Manhattan’s blessing for adventurous runners and curse for timid ones is its unpredictability. There’s always something new to see, even if you feel you’ve mastered the lay of the land. Maybe you notice a flower shop for the first time, or run past a saxophone player on a once-empty street corner. Whether you’re running along the Hudson River Greenway early in the morning or pushing up the hills in northern Central Park under the hot afternoon sun, opportunities for creativity in your routes are endless.

A classic Manhattan route for beginners or speed workouts is the 1.58-mile loop around the Central Park Reservoir. Another option (great for NYC first-timers who want an overview of the city) is the 11.5-mile straightaway from the George Washington Bridge to Battery Park. Take the subway up to 181st street and, if you want a pre-run treat, you can check out the 40-foot-high Little Red Lighthouse under the bridge in Jeffrey’s Hook.