United States

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Beach, FL

Fort Lauderdale is a city on Florida’s southeastern coast, known for its beaches and boating canals. With 165 miles of waterways within the city limits, it is known as the “Venice of America.” The most popular section of beach is where A1A runs alongside the beach, between Las Olas Blvd north to Sunrise Blvd. A1A is also known as the “Strip,” where there is a wide array of shops, restaurants, bars, and hotels. You can rent a bicycle and explore along the beach, or head inland via Las Olas Blvd, to explore the upscale shops that line Las Olas towards the downtown. From Las Olas, the RiverWalk connects to the Arts and Entertainment district. Parking at some beach hotels is limited and with things quite close you will find bicycles are a good way to get around. This is our guide to the best places to run in Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Beach, Florida.

Some of the best places to run in Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Beach are along the road by the beach, the recently completed River Walk trail, and the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk just south of Fort Lauderdale. For some hills, head a bit west to Vista View Park.

The area is fairly congested and there are lots of busy roads that aren’t great for running. Several of our routes are shorter, so for those wanting a longer run, we recommend stringing together a few ‘combo’ runs. Some recommendations:

River Walk/Las Olas Blvd.
Hollywood Blvd./West South Lake Trail
Coral Ridge/Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Editor's Picks

Some of our favorite runs in Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Beach, FL

Hollywood Boardwalk

Brick-paved oceanfront promenade stretching nearly 2 miles. A haven for runners, walkers, cyclists, etc. Festive and crowded!... more...

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  • Weather & Climate
  • Where To Stay
  • Stores & Group Runs
  • Events

Fort Lauderdale has a tropical climate with little seasonal variation in temperature. Average monthly temperatures ftlauderdale2are normally above 65 °F and average monthly precipitation is above 2.39 inches . While some rain does fall in winter, the majority of precipitation is received during the summer months when there are near daily tropical downpours and thunderstorms. Summers from May through October are hot, humid, and wet with average high temperatures of near 90°F and lows in the 70s. Winters from November through April are warm and drier with average high temperatures of 75–82 °F and lows of 59–67 °F.

There are four main areas to stay:

Downtown/Old Town/Las Olas Blvd: The newest part of Fort Lauderdale and a main tourist attraction. It also has the appeal of being a safe environment even though it is located downtown. The entertainment district runs east-west along Las Olas Boulevard. East Las Olas Blvd has a mile of upscale shops and restaurants. Across the railway lines, West Las Olas caters to a younger crowd. It is considered to be South Florida’s most architecturally unique, authentic, and eclectic shopping and dining district.

On the Beach/The Strip: The “Strip” also known as A1A is among the most popular locations. There is a wide array of shops, restaurants, bars, and hotels along the strip, creating a unique experience right on the beach.

Wilton Manors/Close In: A city surrounded by Fort Lauderdale. It has many guesthouses, restaurants, and bars/nightclubs catering to its gay clientèle. The busy center of the city is Wilton Drive, near NE 26 Street. This is only two miles north of downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Lauderdale by the Sea Area: Enjoy this beautiful beachside town, with a multitude of sidewalk cafes, frequent live music, and enticing public plazas where free dance classes are held monthly and outdoor games are played daily. Stroll down Commercial Boulevard for unique shops. The preponderance of midcentury architecture is part of the Town’s charm and identity.

Stores

Running Wild: “The Store For Runners And Others Since 1986!” They pride themselves with extensive product knowledge spanning 198 years of collective experience. Their team is full of dedicated running enthusiasts and will help you find the perfect fit and shoe for whatever your goals are. Join them for group runs every Thursday night at 6:30pm and Saturday morning at 6:00am. 

Runners Depot: Runner’s Depot opened its first store on September 1, 2000, and quickly became the heart of the running community. The staff are well trained to accurately and personally ‘fit’ EVERY customer who walks in the door. They are ALL runners and/or triathletes who truly enjoy working with people and love our sport. They take the guesswork out of buying running shoes. They will watch you walk and run, analyze your foot type, check the fit, and recommend shoes that will keep your feet feeling great. 

Community

Funky Fun Run: Running Wild partnered with Westin Beach Resort & Spa for this weekly fun run! Every Thursday @6PM the Westin shuttles their guests to Running Wild where they have a stretching session & then proceed to run to the beach along A1A & then back to the Westin pool deck (approx. 3 miles). There they have fruit, fruit infused water & a keg (or 2) of beer from the Funky Buddha brewery. Anywhere from 50 – 80 runners & walkers attend.

Greater Fort Lauderdale Road Runners Club: Catch them on a Thursday night for their weekly Fun Run down scenic A1A in Fort Lauderdale. Feel the need for speed? You can find them on the track on Wednesdays. The weekends are made for long runs and races. Whatever your goal, they have something for everyone!. 

Gold Coast Runners: The purpose of the Gold Coast Runners is to promote, encourage, and support the sport of running and walking through a network of people and resources engaged to educate the community on the benefits of the sport. The club sponsors several weekly group runs, races, and special events.  Runners and walkers of all ability levels are welcome and encouraged to join in. 

Hollywood Run Club: A Free Run Club! Join a social group of runners for a 3 mile run every Tuesday at 7 pm and Sunday at 7:00 am on the Boardwalk. Brought to you from the people who attend and support ALL Run Clubs in South Florida. They promote a healthy lifestyle and a fun, friendly environment, everyone is welcome! 

Front Runners Fort Lauderdale: A group of people who enjoy running and walking. The group creates a positive atmosphere through planned activities where gays and lesbians can be themselves. They meet on Sundays at 6 pm and Wednesdays at 7 pm at Holiday Park; and on the 2nd Saturday of every month at 7:30 am at Georgie’s Alibi Parking Lot in Wilton Manors. 

Many local races, especially during the drier months. Running Calendar

Michelob Ultra 13.1: A beach party experience that unfolds throughout the beautiful streets of Fort Lauderdale. This race offers hidden gems of this historic city along scenic routes through downtown Riverfront, breathtaking coastal neighborhoods, the famous Las Olas Boulevard and along A1A and Fort Lauderdale Beach. The finish includes a beach party with live music, activities for the family, a beer garden and more! 

Publix Marathon