I am going to be in Seattle next week, staying downtown at the Sheraton. Big week in marathon prep so would like to get two quality runs in. Will have to run early in the am so it will be dark, and probably wet. Advice about routes? I did check Map my Run for some routes. What is that bike path down along the water, particularly in the early morning.
Lots of bums and smells like urine. Unless you can get a ride over to West Seattle or down along Lake Wa, you would be better off to use the gym / treadmill at the Sheraton. I used to live in West Seattle and now live in the burbs, Not just pulling this out of my arse.
I’d second west Seattle. Usually easy to get there from downtown, but with the viaduct construction, and weird west Seattle bridge closures, not as straight fwd as usual. But a nice wide multi-use trail along the water, ample coffee and bakery stops after, plenty of parking, and the nicest views of the city, even in the dark. Most of my runs there are predawn. It’s very flat, and loops all the way around to Lincoln park. Google saltys restaurant, and that will show the road you want for the parking options and the trail.
If you don’t want flat, you can climb up to California avenue via several roads (Avalon, Jacobsen, etc) and get some hills in.
How long are you looking to run? The waterfront trail is fine, (just hurdle any bums) and will lead you to magnolia neighborhood, which gives a little climbing, and some nice views as you loop around, although not in the dark. Would likely be 7-9 miles round trip, but don’t quote me on mileage.
You can also head north from your hotel ( I think I know where the sheraton is) and run the neighborhoods of queen Anne. Some steep hills to get up, then nice residential areas.
The lake and university/montlake areas are good too. Lots of flat road running.
Like the Paris running thread from a week or two ago…early mornings seem like a great time, and there’s a lot of areas around downtown that are easy to access. Especially with a car.
Hope that helps. Bring rain running gear this time of year!
I am not going to have a car…that bad downtown, wow. I see there is a park a few blocks away…end less laps? Don’t have much experience on a treadmill…
I am not going to have a car…that bad downtown, wow. I see there is a park a few blocks away…end less laps? Don’t have much experience on a treadmill…
How about Westlake Ave. What is the S. Union Trail?
Downtown isn’t bad, I was kidding about hurdling people, since the other poster mentioned it. West lake is fine to take, straight over to lake union. Then you can run either left (west) around westlake to Fremont, or right (eastlake) towards the university. It’ll be sidewalk type running, unless they’ve put in a trail from the new park at the lake.
Or again, head west (downhill from your hotel towards the water), and turn right on 1st or western ave towards queen Anne to explore the area. (all around the space needle) If you take western to the right, just past the old spaghetti factory, you can turn left to the waterfront avenue and either run back towards town along the water, or take the right turn onto the trail towards the magnolia neighborhood.
Skip the treadmill, Seattle is a fun, safe urban running environment in the areas im talking about.
Just don’t google the story about the cops caught on video laughing at the jogger who got hit by a car a couple months ago!
The most convenient place for a long run in seattle is the burke gilman trail. Head north to fremont and jump on the trail near the fremont bridge. Go past gasworks park, university of wasington to lake forest park and beyond to marymoor park. At least 25 one way on a beautiful lake paved trail. its very safe and clean. mostly lit. For a shorter route, run along the waterfront to the sculpture park and myrtle evans park. 5 mile round trip. Popular with runners. south lake union trail is short. Not much there.
From under Westlake Center you can take the tram out towards Lake Washington and run along Lake Washington Blvd, towards Seward Park. Or you can head west to the waterfront and then north towards Myrtle Edwards Park. THere are routes around Lake Union that will connect with the Burke Gilman trail.
If you’re coming from the east coast, it should be pretty easy to get a good run in before traffic starts, when streets are pretty empty. Note that in Seattle, no one ever seems to jaywalk. 5 in the morning, not a car in sight, people wait for the ‘walk’ sign. More power to them, but for an east coaster like me it seemed odd.
There’s a small lake (pond perhaps?) that everyone does laps around. Its pretty nice, not all that big. Someone will know its name. That’s where I’d probably go.
Green lake?
Green lake?
Green Lake, Lower Woodland Park, Ravenna Blvd and Colman Park and Ravenna Park to the Burke Gilman…
You’re best bet from the Sheraton is to head up Westlake across Lake Union (it’s about 6 miles around Lake Union fyi) and head east, then up Stoneway towards Green Lake. If I recall correctly, it’s 2.5-3 miles around Greenlake. You can also head over towards UW along the Burke Gilman trail. I just wouldn’t head south or too much to the northwest of there unless. Discovery Park is really nice but the area in between it and your hotel isn’t great for running. If you head uphill onto Capitol Hill there is some good running but may be a little confusing if you don’t know the area. If you can get over along Lake Washington, that’s the best running in town by a longshot in my opinion. The bike path along the Puget Sound heading north is nice but just not for very long.
Feel free to PM me if you want some more info. Also, give the folks (Phil or Brian in particular) at Fleet Feet on Capitol Hill a call for some directions too
Green lake?
yeah, that looks like it. guess it’s a bit shorter than I remember. seemed like a real ‘fitness district’ though.
Oh - I really liked going to Seattle Running Company, too. Not too far from downtown. Not for actually running, though.
You have some good options. West to the water, then north along the Myrtle Edwards bike path. Or east through Capitol Hill, then north to the University of Washington and Lake Union. Running along the water will be relatively flat. You can find some good hills inland. How far do you want to go?
Would like to be able to go 6 miles or so in any one direction. How skanky is it down by the water along Pueget Sound, or am I better to head towards Union Lake…
Not skanky at all. It is an urban setting, but Seattle is a relatively clean city. For the distance you are after, the trail meanders along the water through two public parks. I run along the waterfront all the time and have never had a problem, other than the occasional bike commuter hammering away “on your left”. Most of my runs in this area are at lunch. Not sure I would enorse late night jaunts in this area, particularly for the ladies. The trail is not well lit, so daylight would be best.
Can you access this link? This is a nice 5 mile loop. You can stretch it out if you want 6.
Your best option for 6 out and 6 back. Run down to the water front (5 blocks from your hotel). Head north on the path and take that all the way to Discovery Park. Exactly 6 miles each way and a great opportunity to get in a gradual 1.5 mile hill. Very easy to run in the dark and a pretty scenic run (if your not done by 7:15ish).
12 miles round trip, do this run weekly. All the water is shut off, so bring fuel if you will be needing some. Plenty of restrooms along the route as well.
Enjoy
Your best option for 6 out and 6 back. Run down to the water front (5 blocks from your hotel). Head north on the path and take that all the way to Discovery Park. Exactly 6 miles each way and a great opportunity to get in a gradual 1.5 mile hill. Very easy to run in the dark and a pretty scenic run (if your not done by 7:15ish).
12 miles round trip, do this run weekly. All the water is shut off, so bring fuel if you will be needing some. Plenty of restrooms along the route as well.
Enjoy
+1 . I agree this is a nice run, and simple to follow as an out-of-towner. I thought the OP wanted 6 total, not one way, when I linked that 5 miler. The map I linked should get you started as it is the beginning and end of the trail to Discovery Park.
Got it, that’s what I will do. Thanks
Water front is good. Burke Gillman trail is rolling and secluded. The run around Lake Union is really good. It’s an hour from the 4th & Union where you are staying. You can run an extra lap to get in more miles. Lots to see of other runners, Boat houses, parks, and limited cars. There are also the statues with clothers that people change frequently. There is also the beat the bridge race. Seattle is the prettiest city in the world when the sun comes out. Doug