Fitness
The Best Places to Run in New York City + Brooklyn
New York, frequently referred to as the concrete jungle, may not seem like a runner’s utopia, however if you know where to look it’s full of hidden gems that will fulfill your running dreams. If you only run because you think you should, try some of these routes, you might even find yourself looking forward to a daily jog. Here are a few favorites to get you started.
Central Park
Honking horns and traffic lights can take the joy out of an easy run to clear the mind. One of the most popular running spots in New York City, Manhattan’s Central Park, is protected from cars and buses and its wide track means that bikes, walkers and runners can all share the path. Whether you’re training for a marathon or simply enjoying a Saturday morning jog with a friend, Central Park has you covered. Head to the Engineer’s Gate entrance on 5th Avenue and E90th Street and join other fitness enthusiasts as they commence their daily loop of the park. One lap is six miles and it’s one of the most picturesque loops you’ll ever run. When you’re out of breath, because of the hills, yes there are a couple of those along the way, take a minute to appreciate the sprawling Manhattan skyline. If the idea of running an entire loop has you balking, try out the reservoir track. The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, also known as the Central Park Reservoir, is a breezy one and a half mile run on a gravel trail. Run a couple of laps and then grab a coffee from Bluestone Lane while you wait for your mates to finish the long loop.
Prospect Park
Central Park’s little sister, Prospect Park, located in the borough of Brooklyn, is just as picturesque as its sibling in Manhattan, only smaller. The outside loop is just three miles, but beware of the brutal incline towards the end. If you head to the park on a Saturday morning don’t forget to pick up fresh flowers and bread post run at the park’s weekly Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket.
Hudson River Greenway
If you’re a West Village local, the Hudson River Greenway, located next to the West Side Highway, will soon become your regular running route. The esplanade is packed with runners, walkers and cyclists all year round, plus plenty of strollers and cute dogs to keep you both distracted and entertained. Run from Lower Manhattan all the way up to Hell’s Kitchen, or even complete the entire path, just shy of 13 miles, from the Bronx down to Battery Park. You can also reverse it starting uptown and heading down, or if you’re game, run up and back. If running towards downtown you’ll be greeted with views of the Statue of Liberty and the Freedom Tower and if you want to up your mileage, add in the piers, there are plenty of them.
Lower Manhattan Loop
The Lower Manhattan loop can be broken up into segments for shorter runs or you can run the whole path, which is about 10 miles. It’s a loop, so start anywhere that suits you. The route will take you from Chelsea, across Flatiron, down the East River Greenway, around the bottom of the island and past the Financial District, along the Hudson River Greenway past the West Village and back to Chelsea, or run it in reverse. This route boasts views of the Freedom Tower, the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. Best of all, there are very few traffic lights so you can keep the momentum going.
Dumbo Waterfront + Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Cobblestone streets and converted warehouses welcome runners to the trendy Brooklyn suburb of Dumbo. Start at pier one and run all the way to six. On each pier you’ll find everything from basketball courts, to beach volleyball or soccer fields to a cute little garden or a playground for the kids. When you reach pier six, loop the piers again, going back the way you came or if you’ve had enough, but want to get your post run coffee ASAP, take the straight route back into Dumbo via the Brooklyn Bridge Park Greenway. Alternatively, add on a few more miles and a hill by running up to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. Enjoy sweeping views of Manhattan and the East River on one side and posh brownstones on the other. When you’re done, stroll through beautiful tree lined streets and you’ll find a plethora of enchanting coffee shops to refuel at.
Words: Alice I’Anson 2022
Cover Image: Emily Steven 2022
The Bridges
The Williamsburg Bridge, The Manhattan Bridge + The Brooklyn Bridge
The Williamsburg Bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge all connect the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan and have varying lengths, inclines, views and of course crowds. The Williamsburg Bridge is a little over a mile long but it’s steep. Get ready to sweat the second you step onto the path but when you’re about to give up, remember what goes up must come down and you’ll be rewarded with a cruisy descent into Manhattan's Lower East Side. This bridge can get pretty crowded so do your best to avoid rush hour.
Next up, the Manhattan Bridge. Approximately 2 miles in length, the bridge holds a steady incline and decline. The pedestrian path is usually light on traffic but the subway runs frequently alongside it so if you rely on music or a Podcast to get you through your run, definitely pump up the volume.
Finally, the most infamous of them all, the Brooklyn Bridge. Featured in many New York City based films, the Brooklyn Bridge, a little over a mile long, was the first fixed crossing of the East River connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn, which at the time were two separate cities. The pedestrian path is the widest of all three and the incline is manageable. However, if you need a breather it’s easy to use “stopping for a photo” as an excuse as the views of the bridge and the Manhattan skyline are unparalleled. Despite the recently added separate bike level you’ll still have a fair amount of pedestrian dodging to do.
If you’re game you can even loop a couple of the bridges. Start by running across the Brooklyn Bridge, once you reach Manhattan turn right and run along Park Row, just as you enter the edge of Chinatown take another right onto the Manhattan bridge and finish your run with views of Dumbo and Brooklyn Bridge Park.
And of course, you can run the bridges in reverse starting in Manhattan and ending in Brooklyn. The bridges really are a runner’s delight, or maybe a nightmare depending on your view.
East River Track + McCarren Park Track
If interval training is your jam both Manhattan and Brooklyn have athletic tracks to fulfill your needs. The East River track, which is walking distance from the Lower East Side and the East Village, and the McCarren Park track located in Greenpoint are both popular options for sprinters, athletic club training and those just beginning their running journey. There are always workout classes happening and often sports games too. You can’t beat the vibes of a warm summer evening at the track.