Bogotá is the capital and largest city in Colombia, perched 2,640 metres above sea level in the eastern cordillera of the Andes. While it has always been Columbia’s domestic center of politics, economy, and culture, recent years have seen an explosion of international business, meetings, and tourism in Bogotá. There is an emerging scene for running in Bogotá, though you do have to choose your spots, given the city’s congestion and lack of large-scale green space. If you’d like to have an in-person guided running experience in Bogota, we highly recommend our friends at Go! Running Tours.
In the past couple of decades, Bogotá has spent millions of dollars revitalizing public parks, streets, and bikeways — a boon to both local and visiting runners. City streets are somewhat cramped and smoggy for running, but with the continuous development of one of the largest cycling networks in the world, traffic and pollution are decreasing. Runners are welcome on bike paths at any time, and on Sundays and holidays from 7 am until 2 pm, they are free to use the 120 kms (76 miles) of select streets that are closed to vehicular traffic. Aside from those options, most runners flock to Bogotá’s city parks, many of which include jogger friendly tracks. Some local favorites include Parque Virrey, Parque Simon Bolivar, Parque Fontanar, and Parque San Andres. Note: Bogotá is at 8,661 feet, which can make it challenging for running. Be cautious and hydrate!
The main method of public transportation in Bogotá is the TransMilenio, a citywide bus system that functions similarly to a subway service. While coverage is good, the routes are numerous, crowded, and somewhat confusing. A good alternative is to take advantage of Bogotá’s ciclorutas with a bike rental!
