I will be in Seattle in the next couple of weeks for about 6 days and am looking for a place to do some 5-15 mile runs. I would prefer trails (not paved) but understand this may not happen every run. I will have a car for transportation.
Also, other than the usual tourists spots, any places that need to be visited? Are there any recommendations for restaurants with lots of local flavor? Maybe a little eccentric, you know-something other than Bob Evans or Applebees.
Thanks.
the burke gillman trail is a great place for long runs. its a paved wide trail that starts at the UW and goes for over 25miles one way to redmond(marymoor park) there are bathrooms and water stops every couple miles. as for trail runs i would look into either briddle trails in kirkland or maybe redmond water shed. they are on the other side of lake washington but not to long of a drive. both are maintained trail systems and are pretty big.
mapmyrun is a great resource for different routes any city you visit. i used it for san diego as well as yakima, WA for some routes i wouldn’t have found otherwise.
That said, there’s a great run along the waterfront in west seattle. its a mix of sidewalk and a long stretch of grass-trail option as well. you can park anywhere along alki beach and hop on. it’s got the best views of the city across the water. if you head on around the trail, away from seattle, it eventually goes along a residential waterfront street and lands at lincoln park, which has several trails in some great old trees, and some gnarly little climbs to get from water-level up to the park itself. afterwards, alki bakery or alessio (sp?) for coffee is a great ending.
If you have time to drive to drive a little east there is a mecca of trail running off I90; Couger Mountain is a good options. There is a nice flat trail (good surface) along the east side of Lake Sammamish.
Let me know if you would like more details.
Have Fun!
There are miles of trails in the Issaquah Alps - Tiger Mountain, Cougar Mountain, and Squak Mountain. Absolutely gorgeous. Take I-90 east from Seattle to Exit 20 (High Point Way) and the entrance to Tiger Mtn State park is on your right.
Chris
Thank you all, I am looking forward to the trip.
Any ideas on food?
what kind of food do you like?
If you run along the pier, from just north of Safeco Field upto Magnolia and back on the myrtle edwards trail its about 10 miles. Great place to run right on the sound.
Umi Sake House on 1st ave has great sushi and sake drinks.
Where to start 
Breakfast foods-granola pancakes, fruit crepes, etc.
Asian
Mexican-hole in the wall variety seem the best
Middle Eastern
Burgers and fries
Ice Cream
Italian
Strangely though not a big shellfish/seafood fan
Bob Evans, coming from the midwest, eh?
Hit up Ivar’s for seafood (there are a few around the city, and they vary from a outdoor fish bar to nice sit down).
Gorditos in Greenwood for Burritos the size of a baby.
Dick’s for bugers and shakes (many throughout city)
Icon Grille is downtown and really good, a little pricey but totally worth it. They do newer takes on American comfort foods.
Top Pot for donuts of course.
There are a million awesome places to eat in Seattle.
the Burke doesn’t start at UW it starts in Ballard. Waterfront runs in Ballard are cool to, esp. if you go into Golden Gardens.
Also run around Greenlake, and Ravenna Park down to the UW. Ravenna is one of my favorite runs in the city (it is only a mile or so, so just link it into a run. Also Round the zoo and Woodland park is nice. Go talk to Super Jock n’ Jill on Green Lake for route directions, maps and such, they also have a few group runs.
Enjoy my favorite city!
i 2nd greenlake! awesome but sometimes crowded place to run. 2.8 mile loop in north seattle. enjoy your trip!
I did cougar mountain and tiger mountains a couple of weeks ago. Amazing running! Here are some pictures for you (still trying to be at the level of pictures provided by callidus, but it’s bloody hard!)
There are tons of good trail runs even closer than the Issaquah Alps. Discovery Park in Magnolia is awesome. Yes, there was a cougar in there a few weeks ago, but they caught him. http://www.cityofseattle.net/Parks/environment/discovparkindex.htm#about
East Lake Sammamish Trail is another good option. Can’t get any of the websites to work right now, but Google it and hopefully something will turn up.
Also consider St Edwards Park in Kenmore: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Edward_State_Park
As for eats, once you’re done running in St Eds you could head south down the hill to Brix in Juanita. Yum!
Or if you go to Discovery Park, try Chinooks just off of W. Emerson. Also yum!
Feel free to PM if you have questions.