One of the more richly historic cities in the country, St. Louis lives up to its name as Gateway to the West. Due to its geographically central location and its relation to the Mississippi River, it became one of the major port cities and stops during westward expansion: Lewis & Clark’s expedition to explore the western territories started in St. Louis. The Museum of Westward Expansion is part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park, where the iconic Gateway Arch sits. St. Louis was also the site of the 1904 Summer Olympics, the first non-European City to host the events. There’s a good variety for running in St. Louis, from the historic Arch area, riverfront paths, and some signature parks.
The signature run downtown incorporates the Arch, Jefferson park, and Eads Bridge. The Riverfront Trail heads for several miles north, with great views and bridge crossings. We also love Forest Park, which is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. There are also some other great parks and suburban areas featured in our St. Louis running guide.
Topographically, St. Louis is relatively flat. The surrounding environment are marked by slow rolling prairies, with moderate inclines. The Metrolink consists of the blue (MLB) and red (MLR) line. Running mostly parallel to each other, these lines can bring you to Forest Park and beyond. Upon arriving in the western suburbs, the Blue :ine curves south and west, whereas the Red Line continues northwest to the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.
