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- In Lonely Planet's new book 'The best routes in the world for running'
Running has a liberating effect on the mind while helping to be fit, to enjoy the open spaces and to discover new corners of the cities . And now, in addition, running is more fashionable than ever. Perhaps due to the confinement , we all want to run away and the most fans are already training to participate in classic dating again. These are some of the best routes in the world to enjoy this healthy exercise, from simple urban routes to the most demanding trails .
1. A walk through Central Park (New York)
Created in 1867 in the heart of Manhattan, this park has an extension of 341 hectares and its rectangular shape occupies dimensions of approximately 4,000 meters long by 800 wide. With almost 40 million visits a year , it is the busiest public park in the United States. Runners , triathletes, cyclists, neighbors in search of fresh air and the everlasting tourists, who search this great mass, travel daily through its paths. Green escape from the hustle and bustle of the city of skyscrapers. Running fans will find a surprisingly complex network of trails and trails in this New York oasis , though the most popular routes take advantage of Park Drives. The complete loop ( full loop , in English, with a length of 9.6 kilometers) allows you to visit, among other places, Harlem Hills and Lasker Rink in the north; the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the east; and Sheep Meadow and Strawberry Fields in its western part. An incentive is that since 2018 cleaner air has been breathed, since, after years of pressure by environmental groups, Central Park declared itself officially free of motor vehicles. A good suggestion is to complete a 10 kilometer loop with start and end point at Engineers' Gate, 2 East.
2. A race through the Costa Rican jungle: The Coastal Challenge
Costa Rica has been betting for years to discover its natural beauties through running . The Coastal Challenge is a route that goes from Playa del Rey , in Manuel Antonio National Park , to Drake Bay , on the Osa peninsula . It lasts a total of six days and has two categories: the Adventure for beginners, 155 kilometers; and the Expedition, longer and more difficult.
Both races show the country's treasures in all their splendor, including towering waterfalls, beautiful beaches, and rainforest teeming with howler monkeys, arrowhead frogs, snakes, and colorful butterflies. Competitors only need to carry one bag for each stage, as traditional Costa Rican food and drinks are offered along the way. Most days the race ends near a beach.
3. Edge-to-edge route through the Grand Canyon (USA)
Those of you who have ever dreamed of traveling long distances through the fields will find few places as inspiring as the Grand Canyon in the State of Arizona. Completely walking the path overlooking the abyss is, in essence, an ultra-marathon off track , with uneven up and down slopes. There are those who only make the one-way route, but those who decide to do the complete circuit have a demanding 67.5 km route ahead of them. It can start at the top of South Kaibab , on the south rim of the Grand Canyon, on a round trip, going down and up the Colorado River bed, between volcanic necks and fiery-colored walls and dark rock formations created by ancient rivers and seas.
The race for the Grand Canyon is known in running parlance as Rim to Rim to Rim (or simply R2R2R ), and is arguably one of the toughest trail runs in the world. To which we must add that anyone who has seen the Grand Canyon will agree that there is no photograph capable of doing it justice. At 446 kilometers long, 32 wide and 2 deep, it is one of the most impressive places on the planet.
4. Between palm trees and 'art deco' in Miami Beach (Florida)
The tall palm trees and white sand are a fantastic backdrop for any runner who stretches his legs in Miami Beach. In addition to its coastline, here you can enjoy contemplating its colorful art deco architecture and the hustle and bustle in its open-air restaurants near the seafront. Actually, you can exercise through any walk or park in this Florida city, but there is a formidable route of almost six and a half kilometers that starts in the Indian Beach park , near the entrance of the Miami Beach Boardwalk , and leads to the beach at South Pointe . This classic wooden walkway advances through the vegetation, offering those who cross it picturesque views of a surprisingly virgin coastal strip despite the urban environment. When you have traveled 2.5 kilometers, at 23rd Street, the path becomes paved in the section that leads to the heart of South Beach , the main stretch of Miami Beach.
There are many opportunities to enjoy the comings and goings of the people and admire the architectural legacy as they pass through the stretch that embraces the famous Ocean Drive , between restaurants and bars installed in beautiful pastel- colored Art Deco buildings . The route culminates on the quiet South Pointe Beach , just over a kilometer away from the frantic epicenter of South Beach .
5. The Promenade des Anglais (Nice): a walk along the French Riviera
The Promenade des Anglais is one of the world's most famous seaside promenades and also a great place for running . It is the Nice avenue , a Mediterranean enclave with a historical cache on the French coast that has been attracting visitors for more than a century for its beaches, its belle époque architecture and its sunny Mediterranean climate.
An intense running session for the 6.4 kilometers of the Promenade des Anglais, specifically for its wide pedestrian lane, is a formidable way of seeing everything. Beyond the sea views and feeling a refreshing breeze on your face, the route allows you to discover the best buildings in the city, such as the Hotel Negresco , a classic, in a neoclassical palace from 1912, and see unique scenes from the summer The most elegant European , like the typical rows of blue chairs looking out to sea, a symbol of this city on the French Riviera since the 1940s. Here any time of day is good for running, but especially at sunset. The tour can start at the Cadran Solaire , the large sundial drawn on a splendid roof terrace overlooking the Mediterranean, and end at the foot of the Port Nice Carras beach .
6. From the sea to the mountains in Barcelona (Spain)
It is not necessary to go very far to find one of the best urban scenarios to run. In Barcelona a route can take us from its lively Mediterranean shore to the upper part of the city, where the best views await. A wonderful 7-kilometer excursion is the one that allows us to run from the promenade, near the Carrer de la Marina, at the height of Frank Gehry's great golden fish that seems to float over the Mediterranean, to the Castell de Montjuïc, high up from the mountain of the same name (next to Carrer del Castell). The first trotes be for the Barceloneta , the old fishing quarter (revitalized by restaurants and tourists) with its grid of streets, very narrow alleys and apples overpopulated that are filled with aromas of grilled squid or tender knives when lunch or dinner.
But there is no time to taste the local gastronomy if you want to go ahead and pass before the masts of huge sailboats that pitch alongside the runners as they cross the picturesque marina. The next thing will be to cross the low end of the Rambla and go up the Poble Sec , perhaps the least touristy neighborhood, but also full of tapas bars, terraces and bohemian cocktail spots. But at the height of the Poble Sec viewpoint, you have to force your way uphill to reach the point from which the mountains are covered beyond the Catalan capital. The Joan Brossa gardens , among towering cypresses, thick palm trees and fragrant pine trees, make their way towards the summit of Montjuïc, with the cable car cabins passing over it . From the impressive fortress of Montjuïc, in the distance, the port is seen as a whirlwind of activity. And back, you can get off in the old-fashioned red cabins back to the port.
7. Patagonia International Marathon (Puerto Natales, Chile)
One of the best races to enjoy the nature of South America takes place in Torres del Paine National Park , in Chilean Patagonia. It is the Patagonian International Marathon, an event that runs along undulating gravel roads on an off-road circuit that ends at the Hotel Río Serrano . Runners can contemplate on their route the high peaks of the park, the bright glaciers and the golden pastures.
The first half of the race is relatively flat, but the second section is more undulating: there are 100-meter climbs and falls near the 29-kilometer mark and at the end there is a section downhill to the finish line. Although the circuit is 42 kilometers long, there are also simpler alternatives, 10 and 21 kilometer meters, established on the same route. Participating in this marathon is also a good excuse to get closer to Punta Arenas , one of the southernmost cities in the world, in the Strait of Magellan , where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. It is the entry point to visit the Torres del Paine park, one of the natural jewels of the American continent.
8. An urban waterfront: Stockholm
It is easy to run through this city scattered across 14 islands, with wonderful sea fronts. Among the many possible routes to the Swedish capital, the loop circuit through Södermalm , one of its largest islands, stands out. Although you can circumnavigate the coastline on a flat 11-kilometer route, it is worth going the extra mile and adding a few steep slopes to the north. It passes through Skinnarviksberget , a rocky promontory that offers great views of Stockholm, and Gamla Stan , the old town. Kilometers can be added by adding a loop through the neighboring island, since they are united. The path to the south of Södermalm is full of wooded parks and marinas . To start, it is worth placing yourself on any of the bridges that connect with Södermalm.
9. The marathon of the Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca (Bolivia)
Lake Titicaca , at 3,800 meters altitude, is the highest navigable body of water in the world. Along its shore there are scattered small Andean towns and on the lake itself, a handful of islands to be explored. One of the best races that can be done in the area is the one that follows the route of the Isla del Sol marathon , a 42-kilometer route (round trip) through rough roads, old roads and peasant villages. It begins in the Yumani town , on the shores of the lake, and from there you climb a bumpy path to the ruins of Chincana , a settlement built by the Tiahuanaca civilization, even before the Incas. After touring the north end of the island, he sets off for the riverside town of Challapampa , where he can turn around and start his return. Of course, to make the circuit you have to take into account the essential acclimatization to the altitude.
10. The Chartreuse Terminorum Ultramarathon (France)
This French ultramarathon is inspired by the Barkley, which takes place in the Frozen Head State Park, near Wartburg, in Tennessee (USA), which is almost impossible to complete. The Chartreuse Terminorum covers 300 kilometers in the rugged foothills of the French Alps, beginning and ending in Saint Pierre de Chartreuse . Benoît Laval, its founder, is a Barkley veteran, so the race is governed by the same principle: runners must orient themselves while running through thick forests while trying to find books hidden under rocks and in the interior of trees, with no help other than confusing handwritten instructions, a compass, and a map. The winner must complete five laps of 60 kilometers each in 80 hours. To date, nobody has come close to completing it within the established time limit.
11. Northern Explorer: a walk around Kyoto
The landscape of the hills that surround the Japanese city of Kyoto is spectacular and radically changes each season; from the luminous azaleas of spring to the maple leaves of autumn. It is one of the best places in the country for runners, without the need for them to be running professionals . There are several trails and routes, but in any of its variables the terrain is rocky and irregular. It is not very high, 848 meters compared to the 3,776 of Mount Fuji , but it is a good exercise, and the landscape visibly changes as you ascend to the top and to the world heritage Enryaku-ji temple . There are also impressive uphill views, reaching even Osaka on clear days. The more adventurous can try to complete the 69-kilometer Kyoto Isshu Trail . To spend the day it is advisable to take the train to the Shugakuin station ; There is a popular trail that starts 2.4 kilometers from that place and goes up Mount Hiei to the Enryaku-Ji Temple (you can get down by cable car).
12. The extreme challenge of the Ultra Gobi 400K
This is not a challenge for beginners, but for experienced runners willing to challenge themselves in a place of extreme conditions. The Ultra Gobi 400K is a self-directed race, with no outside support, taking place in the southern Gobi desert, at the edge of the Tibetan plateau in Gansu province in western China. It is an event that requires advanced orientation, but knowing how to use the correct GPS is quite clear. The challenges are deciding when to eat, what to pack for the remaining phases, and how to sleep. Ahead await many dunes, mountains, shepherds and their livestock, wild dogs, wolves, and flies (many). The runner also faces thermal swings, going from sub-zero temperatures to scorching sun and high wind.
13. The New York Marathon, the largest in the world
Like New York City itself, its marathon is massive; in fact, thanks to its more than 50,000 participants , it is the largest in the world, and it has as its hallmark an energy that is noticeable in the environment and is unmatched by any other event. It is celebrated on the first Sunday of November and covers 42.1 kilometers through five districts of the city. The runners leave Staten Island and then, in an image that has already become a classic, invade both levels of the Verrazano-Narrows bridge in the direction of Brooklyn . It continues through Queens , Manhattan and, very briefly, through the Bronx , before returning to Manhattan, where marathoners descend on Fifth Avenue and then head towards the southern limit of Central Park and the finish line, near the famous Tavern restaurant on the Green . Although each neighborhood has its own personality, the public is constant: some two million spectators gather along the route and openly express their enthusiasm.
14. Running with Philippi: the Spartathlon (Greece)
The Greek Spartathlon is more than a historical race: it is a journey through time . Runners who dare to follow in the footsteps of Philippi are exposed to extreme heat and tight deadlines , but there is no other event that accumulates so much tradition. He follows the entire route that Philippiides did, in 490 BC when he was sent from Athens to Sparta, before the battle of Marathon, to ask for help from the Greeks to face the Persians.
It begins at the foot of the Acropolis of Athens , follows the layout of the old provincial roads and crosses olive groves and large vineyards, and then climbs to the top of Mount Parthenon (1,200 meters), where, according to legend, Philippiides met the god panna . The citizens of Sparta welcomed the runners as heroes, and they knelt at the foot of the statue of King Leonidas . Everyone who finishes the race is given an olive crown and a Eurotas water bowl , as the first Olympians in Antiquity were honored.
15. The Petra Desert Marathon (Jordan)
In this 42-kilometer, historically inspired race, participants traverse a desert region of southern Jordan amidst spectacular ruins . It starts near the entrance to Petra , the city of pink sandstone carved in 9000 BC, and leads a route that passes through tombs, temples, carvings on mountain slopes and caves, before delving into the arid lunar desert landscapes Jordanian. The first part of the route is done on sand and asphalt, and the second part ascends abruptly on asphalt roads and gravel roads up to about 1,400 meters, near mile 22. The reward for this steep climb is a further downhill section 6 kilometers to the finish, in Wadi Musa.
16. The Inca Trail marathon (Machu Picchu, Peru)
This circuit is more an experience than a competition: runners follow the original pilgrimage path from the city of Cuzco to the religious capital of the Inca Empire, the legendary lost city of Machu Picchu. Of course, even the most prepared have to make a strenuous effort on rigorous mountainous terrain, at altitudes between 2,400 and 4,200 meters above sea level. The 42-kilometer route includes 3,170 meters of vertical ascent and 3,350 meters of descent. The effort will be worth it for the ecstasy of reaching Machu Picchu, in addition to seeing other archaeological sites along the way. The 30-kilometer Inca Trail Classic is a shortened version that begins on the outskirts of Cuzco. Both events are part of a multi-day circuit that includes a special permit to enter the Inca Trail , the most famous pedestrian route in America, ending in the Inca ruins.
17. The blue path along the Mediterranean in Cinque Terre
One of the most beautiful coastal roads in Italy is Sentiero Azzurro or Sendero Azul. They are 12 kilometers that cross Cinque Terre (Cinco Tierras), an area declared world heritage in the Liguria region, east of Genoa. The path runs between windblown olive groves and difficult-to-reach vineyards before abruptly descending into its five old fishing villages full of historical interest. It is not a free road: you have to pay to use the path, protected within a national park, but it is worth it. The easy access by train to the area makes the route more attractive: there are five stations, one in each town, to return by public transport if you do not want to do the entire route or to return more comfortably.
18. Marathon under the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
It is one of the most popular marathons, attended by runners from around the world. And also one of the fastest races: many of the latest men's world records have been set in these streets that have a great advantage: Berlin is a completely flat city .
The marathon in the German capital, like London, is included among the six largest in the world ( World Marathon Majors ). It gathers around 40,000 runners and, on the flat side, is ideal for both personal records and rookies. They are 42 kilometers that start in the Tiergarten , the main park in the city, and meander through the Mitte or center before leaving for the leafy outskirts and then returning. For many of those who participate, the crowning moment is running under the Brandenburg Gate .
19. Great Ocean Road Marathon (Australia)
The most picturesque walk in Australia is at the same time the scene of one of the most beautiful marathons in the world. The Great Ocean Road forms a scenic route that covers the westernmost coast of the State of Victoria . His 44-kilometer marathon is held on the third Sunday in May, starting in Lorne until Apolo Bay , all with views of the ocean. It is a true running festival , with many events that gather over 8,000 runners over the weekend .
The Great Ocean was carved out of the land, between the ocean, farms and forests, by some 3,000 soldiers who had returned from World War I. They ended in 1932 and became a toll highway (now it's free). Retro charm is enjoyed in the memorial archway on the road to Lorne, in honor of those who built it. At certain points along the way you can see cockatoos or koalas and, of course, along the entire coast, the image of surfers .
20. The Boston Marathon, the oldest
With about 17,000 residents, the quiet town of Hopkinton , Massachusetts , meets all the topics of a New England town: historic buildings, parkland, and a farmers' market. But there is one day a year when all this changes: on the third Monday of April, the day of commemoration of the start of the War of Independence , 30,000 runners from around the world come to town to participate in the Boston Marathon . The race begins on Hopkinton High Street and ends, 42.1 kilometers later, in Cople Square, Boston.
It is the oldest and most emblematic marathon in the world . Since 1897 it has been consolidated and, with the exception of the Olympic Games, it is the only major marathon that requires a minimum mark to qualify (the hardest, for men from 18 to 34 years old, is 3:05 hours). For many, passing that screen is already a complete achievement. Despite its prestige, the Boston Marathon is not homologated for the registration of world marks. From the entrance, the circuit is downhill: the exit is 150 meters above sea level and the arrival, three. It is also a race from one point to another, that is, the favorable wind can give an advantage to the competitors. On the other hand, for slower runners it is encouraging to have another option to qualify: if they raise a minimum of $ 5,000 for one of the charities in the marathon, they have a guaranteed place.
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