Waco is a metro area of 300,000 located between Dallas and Austin. The Brazos river runs through the heart of the city, ending at Waco Lake. The city is home to Baylor University, home to 20,000 students and the largest employer in the area. The best running in Waco is centered on the several miles of trails along the Brazos River, plus several waterfront parks.
The signature run in Waco is to choose a section of the Waco Riverwalk, which consists of nearly 8 miles of trails along the east and west banks of the river. At the north end of the Riverwalk there’s terrific running in Cameron Park, which has easier running along the river and some more challenging trail running. At the southern end, Baylor University has a nice campus for running and access to the river trails. Other favorite spots for running in Waco are the Waco Dam Trail along Waco Lake, the multi-use Cotton Belt Trail, and trail running in Woodway Park.
Runner Notes: Use caution in Waco’s oppressive summer heat, especially since many of the running trails are open & exposed.
