Flanked by rivers and dotted with parks, Harlem provides great running destinations for New York athletes. Here we’ve highlighted some great routes for long and short runs that will get your blood pumping while you take in the sites of Upper Manhattan, and beyond.
The Percy Sutton 5K
(Image: Route created with MapMyRun, dubbed one of the top 5 best running apps of 2017 by The Babble Out. Check out the article here!)
Each August, New York Road Runners honors the late Percy Sutton—a former Manhattan borough president and supporter of the New York marathon—with a 5K run that passes both Jackie Robinson and St. Nicholas parks. To follow the path of this 3.1-miler, start at St. Nicholas Avenue and 128th Street and head north. Run along the western edge of Jackie Robinson Park and backtrack to your starting point along St. Nicholas and Convent avenues. If you like this run, join the NYRR’s official version on Aug. 26, 2017.
The Little Red Lighthouse Run
(Image: Route created with MapMyRun)
An excellent 4.36-mile out-and-back run any time of year, this path is especially gorgeous when lined with fall colors. Start at Riverbank State Park on the Hudson River at 138th Street (or further south if you’d like a longer run). Follow the paths north through Riverbank and on along the Hudson River Greenway until you reach Fort Washington Park at 158th Street. Keep heading north toward the George Washington Bridge until you reach the Little Red Lighthouse—the only lighthouse in Manhattan. Take in sweeping views of the bridge and New Jersey Palisades before heading back the way you came.
The Cherry Walk Run
(Image: Route created with MapMyRun)
This perfect springtime run will take you along Riverside Park’s famed Cherry Walk, which boasts bountiful blooms from 125th down to 100th Street. Start at the top of Riverside Park at 129th Street and head south along the Hudson River Greenway, taking in stunning cherry blossom and river views until about 92nd street. Loop east and up through the park for your return to cap off this 4.05-mile jaunt. Looking for more mileage? Head down to the Boat Basin at 79th Street before you return to boost your total distance to 5.32 miles.
Randall’s/Wards Island Park Run
(Image: Route created with MapMyRun)
For a challenging 8.5-mile jaunt across two (technically, three) islands, try this route. Start at Frederick Douglass Circle in the northwest corner of Central Park and run east along Central Park North/110th Street, hopping one block north before you reach Thomas Jefferson Park along the Harlem River. Take the pedestrian walkway over the FDR to the Bobby Wagner Walk (as the East River esplanade is known} and head south to the Ward’s Island Bridge. Traverse this pedestrian bridge (pausing to take in gorgeous river views from its apex) to arrive at Randall’s Island and head north along the Harlem River until you reach the top of Wards Island. Circle around Sunken Meadow Loop for a quick glimpse of the East River and follow Central Road until you can duck under the RFK Bridge approach and back toward the pedestrian bridge. Once you arrive back in Manhattan, switch things up by running through upper Central Park before reaching your starting point. Pat yourself on your (sweaty) back for a job well done.