This is a guide to running in Louisville, Kentucky. Separated from the state of Indiana by the Ohio River, Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky and the 29th largest in the country. The city was founded in 1778, making it one of the oldest west of the Appalachian Mountains. Since the late 1990s, the downtown has experienced significant residential, tourist and retail growth, including the development of Waterfront Park, opening of the openings of Louisville Slugger Field, the KFC Yum! Center, several museums, and the entertainment complex Fourth Street Live! The city is proving increasingly popular among young professionals and college students.
Our guide to the best places to run in Louisville incorporates major developments to the downtown area such as Waterfront Park and paths along the Ohio River including the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge; and several notable parks, such as the Olmsted designed Iroquois Park, Joe Creason Park, Cherokee Park, and Seneca Park.
Unless you are staying right downtown, a car is generally required to get around the area. The TARC bus system runs downtown and to nearby suburbs.
Louisville has warm to hot summers and cool winters. Average highs in July approach 90F (32C), and it can be quite humid as well. January highs average in the mid-40s, and it can fall below freezing at night. Snow and ice are occasional — be careful of surfaces in winter! Spring is gorgeous in this area. Precipitation falls fairly evenly throughout the year, and often comes in the form of thunderstorms in the summer.
