The University of New Mexico campus, 2 miles east of downtown, is a popular place to run and exercise for many in the city. Located at the junction of the I-40 and I-25 highways, the campus is central city. Johnson Field is our starting point for the Campus Run and a great place for warm-up with a half mile cinder trail around the perimeter of the grass field. Heading east with a view of the Sandias provides a beautiful backdrop. Running in the evening can be particularly pretty, with the mountains turning into a pink shade before nightfall. Sandia, Spanish for watermelon, is what the Spanish conquistadors named the mountains because of their color at sunset. The campus has a mix of modern design and Spanish architecture. Our loop around the University of New Mexico North Golf Course hugs the streets of Indian School and University Boulevard within the campus, and has a 1.9 mile cinder path loop along the golf course’s edge. Running around the golf course makes for a great additional add on to a run and has some spectacular sunset views over the South Valley. One can also add on with some of the pathways within the pretty UNM campus, such as the serene Duck Pond located off Las Lomas Boulevard.