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When you talk about running in Boston, the first thing that comes to mind are the paths along the Charles River. From the Science Museum to Watertown, one can make a loop run of distances ranging from 1.83 miles to 17.08 miles by utilizing any of eleven bridges. It's a great run if you want lots of company. Yes, the city scenery is spectacular and the people are beautiful, but the paths are flat and very crowded. At times the main challenge is to avoid collisions with all the runners, bikers and bladers that utilize these routes! For this reason, it's often healthier to seek a different thrill, just off the beaten path. Fortunately, Boston has just such a jewel.
The Emerald Necklace stretches from Beacon Hill to Great Blue Hill. Founded by Frederick Law Olmsted as an urban oasis in the late 1800's, it includes The Riverway, Olmstead Park, Larz Anderson Park, Jamaica Pond, Arnold Arboretum and Franklin Park. These parks and the surrounding communities of Roslindale, West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain and Brookline offer mixed surface running, including both on and off road, as well as the highest hills contained in Boston. It's not hard to design a long run through these areas to climb over 500 vertical feet; 1000 or more if the Blue Hills are included, so it's a great way to train for the Mt. Washington Road Race or the Winnepesaukee Relay. Good hilly streets to run include Goddard Ave in Brookline, Cerdan Ave, Bellview Hill Ave and Lagrange Street in West Roxbury, Walter Street, Metropolitan Avenue & Popular Street in Roslindale, and all through the Arboretum in Jamaica Plain.
End of Part One
Part II - Continued
Submitted by Scott Duhaime
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