Veterans of the Philadelphia Distance Run nominate local areas that are great places to train

 

“My most favorite spot is Valley Green or Forbidden Drive, they are one and the same. The course doesn’t allow autos. It has trees, a creek and nature. I am undecided which season I like better when I run. The scenery just changes with the season. The course is 6.5 miles from Northwest Avenue to Ridge Avenue, so pick your distance for training. “Another favorite is running around the river in town. Again, the beauty of the water and nature is always invigorating.”

 

- Gary Gordon of Glenside

 

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1: “From my house in Havertown, run through Merion Golf Club on Golf House Road - (stay off Ardmore Avenue - no shoulder and too much traffic) and go to Haverford College and run the cross country trail there (2 miles).

 

2. “Run on Forbidden Drive along Wissahickon Creek. This is a no car, dirt trail which has some horses and bikers. It is about six miles from beginning (off Ridge Avenue and River Drive) to Chestnut Hill College.”

 

- David Gobel of Havertown, who is in his 30th Philadelphia Distance Run

 

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“My favorite place to train is in Tyler State Park in Newtown. My running group has been running there for 30 years.

“Why is it a great place? Several reasons: There are numerous trails that are traffic-free. There are enough hills to get that type of training in. Several water fountains for those hot and humid days. And, it's just a pretty park in the suburbs.”

 

- Philadelphia Distance run 30-year-runner Larry Waldman of Washington Crossing

 

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“The training runs in the city pretty much revolve around two courses:

 

“The River Loop which is an approximate 8.5 mile loop that starts and ends at Lloyd Hall at Boathouse Row. Although this loop is mostly all paved trail, it is nice because there are no traffic lights at all, it is very scenic as the Schuylkill River is always only a few yards from the trail and hundreds of other people are out there walking or jogging as well.

“The loop crosses over the Schuylkill River about four miles out via the East Falls Bridge and then you are on the West River side of the course which then takes you around the Philadelphia Art Museum near the end of the run.”

 

“As far as outside of the city, a very scenic and expansive trail network exists at Valley Forge National Park, just about 15 miles west of the city. It is possible to never cross the spot on a trail twice here in a 20-mile run! Hundreds of acres of protected national park.”

 

- Bryan Mahon of Philadelphia Runner

 

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"Some of my favorite training routes are located near my home in Cherry Hill. On weekdays I usually end up running about five miles around the neighborhood. But weekends are when it really gets interesting.

“One of my favorite spots to train is in Haddonfield. The rolling hills provide great strength training and add some much needed versatility to my training. The scenery is an added bonus, with luxurious houses and open fields. During my training, I usually run about 10 to 12 miles.

“And on weekdays, I run about five miles locally in Cherry Hill, NJ.”

 

- Erica Friday of Camden County, NJ