United States

Cape Cod, MA

Cape Cod is a hook-shaped peninsula of Massachusetts, and is a popular summertime destination. There are quaint villages, seafood shacks, lighthouses, kettle ponds, salt marshes, and gorgeous beaches on the bay and ocean sites with 400 miles of shoreline. The natural highlight is the Cape Cod National Seashore, preserved since the early 1960s, which runs from Eastham to Provincetown. Sandwich is the oldest town on the Cape, and Provincetown is the most vibrant commercial area. This is our comprehensive guide to the best places to run in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

It is 60 miles from the Sagamore Bridge to Provincetown. The are four ‘areas’ of the Cape: The Upper Cape: Bourne, Sandwich, Falmouth, and Mashpee; Mid-Cape: Barnstable, Yarmouth and Dennis;  Lower Cape: Harwich, Brewster, Chatham; and Outer Cape: Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet, Eastham and Orleans (National Seashore).

Our Cape Cod running guide features 20 of the best routes — a great collection of beach runs, bike trails, off-road paths, oceanfront roads, and architectural gems. See our ‘Overview’ post for a guide to the routes by area/town, and our list of the ‘bests’ by theme (beach, trail, town, etc.). A few notes about running on Cape Cod:

  • There aren’t very many roads that go for a long way ‘along the ocean’
  • For beach running, the Bay Side beaches are better. Keep an eye on the tides
  • Many of the roads outside village centers don’t have sidewalks or shoulders
  • Route 6A, the ‘Kings Highway’, is very pretty in spots, but due to traffic and lack of shoulder, is not safe for running. Might be OK if you go off season or really early.
  • Take advantage of the many wonderful bike paths. The best for running: Shining Sea Bike Path, Cape Cod Rail Trail, Nauset Trail.

Editor's Picks

Some of our favorite runs in Cape Cod, MA

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  • Weather & Climate
  • Stores & Group Runs
  • Events

Mashpee- Monomoscoy Island

Cape Cod, MA

A nice option in the Mashpee area. Run along Red Brook Road and down across a causeway. The island is a mix of old cottages and newer lush homes. This finger of land has good water views on either side as you get toward the tip.
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Barnstable Village

Cape Cod, MA

A pleasant run starting along cute Barnstable Village Main St. There are two loops: a 2.75 mile more wooded loop, and a 2 mile loop with water and farmland marsh views.
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Harwich Run

Cape Cod, MA

A pleasant alternative to the bike path, the highlight of this loop is Red River Beach, using Uncle Venies Rd. Nice views, and a nearly 1 mile section along the beach or beach parking lot road. Good opportunities to vary the run.
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The Cape’s climate is heavily influenced by the ocean, and is quite different than Boston’s. Summer, the most popular season for visitors, is generally delightful, with less heat and humidity than most of the east coast. July-August average highs are in the high 70sF (25C), and nights are warm but not hot. Rainfall is less frequent than in Boston, due to fewer heat-driven thunderstorms. Fall is gorgeous, with pleasant, mild weather lingering into early November.

Hyannis weather chart

The ocean has a big influence in winter. It is generally damp and chilly, with cold winds. Nor’easter storms can be ferocious, although Hyannis receives an average of only 12″ of snow a year. Many winter storms produce  a kitchen sink of snow, sleet, and rain. Spring can be frustrating, as the cool ocean and northeast winds can keep the skies cloudy and the temps cool well into May.

 

 

There are three dedicated running stores on the Cape: venerable Marathon Sports has stores in Mashpee and Yarmouth, part of their 11-store Massachusetts chain. Fabulous folks and very helpful to us with this guide!

Hanlons, on Main St. in Hyannis, has been in business for 40 years!

Marathon Sports Mashpee: Mashpee Commons.  Group Runs:  6:30pm on Tuesdays, 3-5 miles

Marathon Sports Yarmouth (formerly Bayside Runner): Plymouth & South Yarmouth. Group Runs: 6:15pm on Thursdays in Yarmouth, 3-5 miles… check their Facebook page for twice-monthly pub runs across Plymouth and the Cape/

Hanlon Shoes: Main Street in Hyannis. Group Runs: weekly run at 6pm on Wednesdays in winter, 5-6 miles… track workouts at Barnstable High School in summer months.

Looking for road or trail races in this area? Find them on RaceRaves, the best online race calendar and reviews community for runners!

Find races in Cape Cod, MA

Cape Cod Road Race Calendar. From the Cape Cod Athletic Club website.

Here are some of the signature running events on the Cape calendar.

Falmouth Road Race. A major event on the Cape calendar. Beautiful route. Fills early.  Usually the third Sunday in August.

Cape Cod Marathon & Half Marathon. Last weekend in October. Rated by HalfMarathons.net as one of the best in New England!

Chatham Harbor Run. Pretty 10k along the water. Has been run for 35+ years.

Harwich Cranberry Harvest Half & 10k. October. One of a trilogy of half marathons, along with the Johnny Kelly Half (spring) and the Hyannis Half (winter)

Johnny Kelly Half (also 10k & 5k). May. Hyannis.

Hyannis Marathon & Half. February.

Brewster Brew Run. August. Fun 5.2 mile race followed by a big party at The Woodshed

Seagull Six.  March. Put on by the Falmouth Track Club. A scenic and hilly loop, the last three miles of which are the first three miles of the Falmouth Road Race course backwards, including the hill at Nobska Light.

 

 

Cape Cod Athletic Club: Winter Grand Prix, social events, race calendar

Falmouth Track Club: annual races all year, weekly track workouts, group runs

Falmouth Road Race: Lottery in May, race every August – a Cape Cod must!

South Shore Race Management: calendar of annual races

Plymouth Rock Racing: race events for the whole family