United States

New York City - Manhattan

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Home to some 15 million people, New York City is one of the most vibrant cities in the world and is a major commercial, cultural, and financial center. Given its incredible density, running along the main streets of Manhattan can be a challenge. But, there are some iconic and inspiring places to go running in Manhattan, mainly in Central Park and along the wonderful and continually improving greenways along the Hudson River and the East River. It is possible to run nearly the entire length of Manhattan on off-road paths. Our guide to running in New York City is divided into two parts: the island of Manhattan, and the other four “Boroughs”  — Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. If you’d like to have an in-person guided running experience in Manhattan, we highly recommend our friends at Go! Running Tours.

In Manhattan, there are three “must-do” runs: Central Park (numerous options); the spectacular run on the west side along the Hudson River Greenway, which runs for nearly 12 miles from Lower Manhattan to the George Washington Bridge; and paths along the East River, which can be combined with one of the bridges crossing over to Brooklyn. We’ve also added some routes at the northern end, around Fort Tyron Park and a crossing over the George Washington Bridge!

The Manhattan topography is very flat. Any hill options are generally in Central Park. All of our routes are easily accessible by subway, which also enable a one-way option. Also CitiBikes bike share.

View our companion piece, covering Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.  Or hop across the river for some fabulous runs in New Jersey!

Great Runs – NYC Boroughs
 
Great Runs – Hoboken/Jersey City/Newark

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Editor's Picks

Some of our favorite runs in New York City - Manhattan

Central Park

An iconic urban run and certainly an oasis in Manhattan. Numerous options: 7 mile perimeter path, reservoir... more...

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  • All Routes
  • Iconic Routes
  • Weather & Climate
  • Where To Stay
  • Stores & Group Runs
  • Events

New York City has a humid subtropical climate, being the northernmost major city in North America with this categorization. Summers from June to August are typically warm to hot with some periods of high, uncomfortable humidity. Temperatures average in the 80s in summer. Winters are cold and damp, with average January highs in the 30s (4C) and lows dipping below freezing. Surface conditions can get icy but don’t stay that way for long. New York averages 25.8 inches of snowfall. Spring is unpredictable but autumn is gorgeous and lingers well into November. Humidity is a factor, especially in summer. Another factor is the buildings — they create shade and shadowing from the sometimes oppressive sun.

nyc-climate

Far be it from us to recommend where to stay in New York. Some 50 million people visit New York annually, and there are nearly 300 hotels and 75,000 rooms. There are hotels all over Manhattan, at various budget ranges.

For runners, it is important to be within a few blocks of Central Park, the West Side Highway, or the East River paths. If you want to be within proximity to Central Park, look for hotels between 50th and 115th Streets (and in the 50s-70s to be close to Columbus Gate), between 3rd and 8th Avenues. For the West Side, try staying west of Broadway, and for the East Side, stay east of 5th Ave. You will be most ‘landlocked’, as in, not close to any of the iconic routes described here, if you are in mid-town.

Running Stores

New York features a wide selection of running and athletic retailers from smaller specialist stores to multistory flagship stores of world’s largest sporting goods brands.

New York Running Company. Knowledgeable staff and treadmills for gait analysis. Located on Columbus Circle at Central Park southwest corner. Provides storage lockers for leaving your belongings if you go out for a run. Group runs, too.

Nike Town. Nike flagship store located a few blocks from Central Park‘s’ southeast corner. Multiple group runs every week.

Super Runners Shop. Several locations in Manhattan and one also in Brooklyn. Offers complimentary video gait analysis.

Jack Rabbit. Several running stores in New York City, including Union Sq., 72 St., East Side, Columbus Circle. Has group runs, gait analysis, bra fitting and nutrition advice. Group run calendar.

GROUP RUNS

This excellent piece from Fleet Feet has information on NYC area run clubs and group runs. Fleet Feet group runs include:

Manhattan

  • Columbus Circle Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 9 a.m
  • East Side select Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
  • Upper West Side Mondays at 7:00 p.m.

Columbus Circle, East Side and Upper West Side have free lockers available for the community to use during store hours every day of the week.

Bronxville

Located just outside of the five boroughs in Westchester County, Fleet Feet Bronxville hosts group runs Sundays at 10 a.m.

City Running Tours NYC. Huge number of group runs, with various touristy and fun themes, for a fee. They can also be booked for customized individual and small group runs.

New York Road Runners (NYRR). Non-profit running organization, conducts over 100 events each year, including classes, clinics, and races.

The Reservoir Dogs. A midsize running club consisting of runners of all levels. Arranges several group runs each week in Central Park, some of them followed by food and drinks.

The Most Informal Running Club, Ever. NYC. As the name suggests, it is all about running and community. No fees, no other requirements.

Pitch & Run. A fast and growing group of over 1,250 runners (focused around Tech founders and VC core group) that meets three times a week at the Bluestone Lane cafe in Chelsea Peers at 9am. We run along the west side highway, stopping by Little Island for a picture and to Battery park and back at 9am (M, W,F), totaling about 4.6 miles.

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 New York City - Manhattan

Because NYC attracts so many visitors, it is a great place to host some major running events!

Events Calendars #1. Events Calendar #2

The New York City Marathon November. The world’s biggest and most popular marathon

NYRR Five-Borough Series

Scotland Run 10K April. Runners bring the feel of Scotland stateside, donning their kilts, waving Scottish flags, and even painting their faces in the white and blue of Saint Andrew’s Cross.

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