Getting tired of competing for the three treadmills (fact check) in Howard Hall? Do you find yourself dreaming of lush forests, stunning cityscapes and the thump of dirt encrusted Nikes hitting pavement? You aren’t alone. Discovering the outdoor running opportunities in North Portland can be as daunting as choosing which food cart to try for lunch. The Beacon polled 80-plus students (and some professors too!) on their favorite runs in NoPo and we have put together the four most popular running routes. We’ve done the research; all you have to do is the running.
The Classic ‘Run along The Bluff’
This route is fantastic for any level of runner. Whether you are more of a horizontal runner, jogger or training for a marathon, you can’t go wrong.
“The best thing about running along The Bluff is that you can go as far as you want, whether it’s just to Greeley or the five-mile loop to Adidas headquarters,” junior Nicole Lawton said. “It’s great for when you just want to get a quick run in.”
Dr. McLary, a German professor who lives in NoPo, said, “My day is not complete without a run along The Bluff. I wake up most mornings around 5:30 a.m. to get it in.”
It’s virtually impossible to get lost and this route is also highly populated with like-minded exercise fiends. Many students cited a preference for evening versus afternoon running, stating that the cityscape of downtown Portland was breathtaking (and distracting) at twilight. Be wary, however, as the sidewalk can be treacherous at night. Whether you just want a quick gander to Greeley or a five-mile doozy to Adidas, you can’t go wrong with this scenic overlook.
Cathedral Park- St Johns Bridge
There seems to be no unanimous name for this route that takes the adventurer down along the back streets in the direction of St. Johns, to Cathedral Park and across St. Johns Bridge. There is however, unanimous agreement that it’s a perfect run. Start by running towards St. Johns, through Cathedral Park, then adventure across the St. Johns Bridge. This run is blissful for someone looking for a little escape from traffic and desirous of a grassy knoll to jog through.
“I like to run to Cathedral Park,” junior John Weiser said. “It’s nice to just get down into the park and away for a little while.”
The run across the bridge, although loud and somewhat high in traffic, allows a beautiful view of the Willamette river. A precaution for this run is to be weary of it at nighttime. Although beautiful, there can be some cautionary characters mingling in the park too late at night. Bring a running buddy and enjoy this lovely nature-filled jog.
The historical St John’s route
If you haven’t gotten an opportunity to explore St. Johns, get up right now and go. Seriously. This fantastically quaint and surprisingly historical little village is full of treasures. Winding your way through the small sidewalks takes a certain talent, one must be ready to avoid hipsters on tandem bikes loaded with locally grown produce, but it is worth it! The ample paths, stores and wonderful gems in this tiny chunk of Portland cannot be overemphasized!
“I love running through St. Johns,” junior Taylor Tinley said. “There’s always super interesting people watching; great distraction.”
Go and get lost again and again in historic St. Johns and discover a new coffee locale or boutique. This quirky section of Portland is a must-see. What could be better than seeing it while getting in your cardio?
Forest Park
Although technically not in North Portland, enough students mentioned their love for this woodsy wonderland that it had to be included! Forest Park is the name for the Urban Forest Reserve and boasts over 80 miles of hiking, walking and naturally, running trails. It’s a fantastic place for a Saturday or Sunday distance day.
“My housemates and I love to run in Forest Park together,” junior Clara Leeways said. “The Leif Erickson Trail is a gorgeous 10-mile loop. It’s my favorite.”
Forest Park also boasts an impressive array of races from 5K fun runs to the Forest Park Half Marathon. For iPhone users, download the Forest Park App to map out running routes, track mileage and get updates on running events!
