Running in Boston

This may seem stupid with the marathon there and all, but when I get there in June, I was wondering if there were any running routes close to the Colonnade Hotel?

Thanks,

Kevin

Running in Boston

One of the most popular running routes in the city is along the banks of the Charles River. It%26#39;s called the Esplanade. You can get to the river from the Colonnade in 10 minutes running or 15-20 minutes walking.

AlanM

Running in Boston

Two more possibilities:

1) behind the Colonnade is the linear park over the railroad. You can run on that for about 4 miles to the Forest Hills subway terminal and back.

2) the ';emerald necklace'; parks: from the Colonnade you cross Huntington Ave, continue through the Pru Center to Boylston, turn left on Boylston. When you get to the Fenway, cross and bear left into the park. You can follow that path for 2+ miles with one interruption where you have to wait for a light at Brookline Ave. Beyond that is the Riverway trail, very pleasant. After Huntington Ave you can continue all the way to Jamaica Pond; take a lap around and return. That%26#39;s a long run although you can do as much as you want. Best to look at a map first so you have an idea of where you%26#39;re going and what intersections you have to navigate.

No matter which route you take, observe the same cautions you would in any big city. Run at popular times when paths will be busy. Avoid long lonely stretches. Be aware of your surroundings, etc.

Hi,

I need to mention...maybe it%26#39;s changed substantially in the two years since I was living in that area of the South End (near the Colonnade)...but I would not set foot in that Southwest Corridor park and neither would anyone I knew. People were regularly mugged, many times in broad daylight. It was an extremely dangerous place.

I just wouldn%26#39;t recommend that you run there. Go to the Esplanade instead.

I wondered about that. I know there have been issues near the esplanade too...mostly off-hours. if you run in the daytime with lots of people, you should be okay. Don%26#39;t know the gender of the poster but there have been sexual assualts of women along the river. Not to be crazed or hyper-panicky about it but ... this has come up lately as an issue. How much information do visitors want? I personally appreciate knowing general things to watch out for and this is one of those things... I assume that people who point to bad stuff aren%26#39;t trying to be negative. It%26#39;s just...what you%26#39;d tell a friend... And the people who ask the questions can sort through the advice and assume that lots of different opinions and levels of comfort exist.

With a name like Kevin, I%26#39;m pretty sure he%26#39;s male. :) He%26#39;s coming with his wife to see the Sox! Whoohoo. Anyways, running the Esplanade is the way to go. You can cross the bridge and run the Cambridge side of the river as well. It%26#39;s like doing one big loop, or you can just run through the Esplanade in Boston. It%26#39;s a great run and highly recommended.

Will...yeah, I%26#39;m male, but always up for a good sexual assault (sorry, just couldn%26#39;t resist).

The reason I asked about running, is I live in a rural area of Jackson, MS. I can go out my door and run for up to 10 miles one way without fear of anything. Never ran in a big city, so I was asking about running...especially with lights and all. I run in Jackson a good deal, but you must understand Jackson is not set on top of each other like Boston is...We are really spread out...also, we only have like 400,000 people in the metro area, so nothing like Boston.

Thanks for the advice...

Kevin

It%26#39;s not well lit along the river at night. I would stick to running it in the morning or evening. I think you would be fine at night but one never knows for certain. The main thing you need to worry about are the rollerbladers and bikers.

I would run down Mass. Ave to the river. Stay on the right side. When you get to The Mass. Ave. Bridge, take the stairs down to the river. Follow this to the end and cut over to the other side. You will pass the Museum of Science. Taking the Mass. Ave. bridge back will about 6 miles. I would go down to the Doubltree and this will give you about 9. If feeling real good, you can keep going and there will be several other bridges to cross, and also giving you a great view of Harvard.

This is a good route. Many of Northeatern%26#39;s U. use this route to train.

From the hotel to Mass. Ave. is minutes. You will be taking a right.

Also, the other suggestions are good as well, esp. Jamaica Pond. This is another route many runners take but it can hot on the way up. There are also many curbs which can be a problem with some runners.

The river will be loaded with runners most of the day. Boston runners are friendly and some enjoy the company and conversation.