Races & Places

Not only is Athens the site of the original marathon and the home to fascinating attractions like the Acropolis and Hadrian’s Library, but it’s also a great city for running. Its famed seven hills provide plenty of incline changes and great views of the city, and a jaunt through the National Gardens or along the Dionysiou Areopagitou are especially scenic.

Bagan, the ancient capital of the Pagan Kingdom provides some extraordinary running routes—assuming you’re okay with a little humidity. Over 2,000 of the ancient city’s temples and pagodas are still standing, and you can weave through the south Asian plains, stopping to view the architecture along the way.

Along the coast of California between San Francisco and Los Angeles, this stretch of mountainous shoreline provides excellent running locales. Run through a redwood forest, across a beach, or along the cliffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean. And the misty sea breeze is there to keep you cool.

Prepare for the elevation change, my friends, but once you get used to breathing a little harder than normal, you’re in for a treat. Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder offers countless trail running opportunities. And you can finish a long run at one of many breweries in the area for a refreshing beer.

If this quaint little city wasn’t cute enough to visit on its own (and with plenty of restaurants, shops, and a cobblestone main drag, it is) the Burlington Greenway pushes it over the top. The eight-mile long path along Lake Champlain allows runners to run beside the water on a well-maintained paved route. Perfect for summer when everywhere else is getting muggy.

Good running is often accompanied by mountains. Runners love a challenge and a rewarding view. Perhaps no mountains are more rewarding than the Alps. Travel to this region in southeastern France to climb the mountains and catch site of the famed Mount Blanc.

On the southwestern tip of the U.K., jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean is Cornwall. The sleepy piece of English coastline is a bit difficult to travel to, but well worth the trek. Run along miles of rugged coast and stop in every village for a pint or a plate of fish and chips.

Off the coast of Turkey in the Mediterranean Sea, this tiny island nation is perfect for a run-in-the-morning, beach-in-the-afternoon vacation. Jog beside the crystal blue water and hop in for a dip to cool off if the sun is getting to you.

Speaking of heat, I’d avoid summer runs in this Middle Eastern city where temperatures can soar past 100 degrees. In cooler seasons or at dawn, however, running through the modern architectural splendor of Dubai can be breathtaking. Watch the sun bounce off the Persian Gulf and onto the glass skyscrapers jutting towards the sky.

When it comes to running, Edinburgh offers a little bit of everything. Seaside runs, check. Steep hills, check. Blustery moors, check. Plus, there is a high likelihood that you will run by an old castle if you go far enough.

This city on the coast (duh) of Western Australia is predominantly known for its great surfing and beaches. But good beaches usually mean good running. Jog on the sand or along one of the paved paths as you stare out across miles of empty sparkly ocean.

On the edge of southeastern China, this massive city is built up on islands and peninsulas surrounded by the South China Sea. Run along the promenades on Hong Kong for views of the city and the sea or crisscross through Victoria Park for something a bit shadier.

Kyoto has become a popular Japanese tourist destination for its many palaces, pagodas, and parks, which are perfect for running. Hit up the Imperial Palace’s gardens, the Nijo Castle Paths, or the Maruyama-Koen Park for combinations of old architecture and manicured nature.

Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, meaning that its crystal clear water is mostly snow melted down from the Sierra Nevada Mountains. With forests, lakeshore, and plenty of hills, this is the perfect trail running escape.

Built where the River Tagus meets the Atlantic Ocean, the seaside capitol of Portugal boasts not only watery vistas but also centuries worth of decadent architecture and gardens. Run for miles along the shoreline before pivoting inward through the streets and past churches and castles of a bygone era.

If there’s one thing you’ll know for certain when running on this tiny Michigan Island, it’s that you won’t get hit by a car. The vacation destination between the state’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas doesn’t allow cars, which means you can run the full island loop or cut up through the wooded hills without ever seeing an automobile.

What was once one of Asia’s most important trading ports is now a popular tourist destination. Run along the Malacca River or along the ocean. The region was controlled by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British so the region boasts a blend of different architectural styles in between the native Malaysian cultural sites.

Do I really need to sell you on a lush Hawaiian island as a good vacation destination? The Pacific island, created by a volcano, boasts plenty of hiking locales, waterfalls, beaches, and views of the ocean. At 727 square miles, there’s plenty of ground to cover and paths to run.

While the city of Nairobi may not be the first place you want to go when you think of running, the metropolitan area is well situated between Lake Victoria, the Serengeti and Mt. Kilimanjaro. Take day trips to all three for some beautiful African running excursions.

Some people will tell you to run across the Brooklyn Bridge. (Don’t.) Instead, head to Central Park, the paths along the Hudson and East Rivers, or the Williamsburg or Manhattan Bridges. Or, you could run through across Brooklyn Bridge at 4 a.m., when the crowds have cleared.