Virginia Beach Boardwalk

Distance: 3 miles (6 miles round-trip)
Difficulty: Easy
Address & Parking: The boardwalk is located at: Atlantic Avenue Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Parking can be found on side streets and at paid meters.

Virginia Beach boardwalk

What a gorgeous, clean, well-maintained pedestrian & bike path! Virginia Beach is home to a 3 mile oceanfront path, which is conveniently separated into a separate biking and pedestrian path. This takes out many of the problems found on multi purpose paths, namely cyclists and joggers running into another.

The ride is very fast and flat and extremely scenic. You can gaze into the Atlantic Ocean for the entire journey. How’s that for a motivational run?! 6 miles is the perfect distance – not too long, but still a great workout! Great for 5k training and shorter half marathon training runs.

Jogging along the Virginia Beach boardwalk is a great opportunity to get out there this summer and enjoy people watching and the lively beach scene, while still getting in a nice workout. There are plenty of restaurants and attractions to treat yourself to after your run. And, a nice relaxing hour on the beach is the perfect motivating reward.

Virginia Beach, rightfully so, is often rated one of the top boardwalks in the country. After enjoying a leisurely run or bike ride along this beautiful course, you will see why it so highly regarded. It is also lit up at night, making it safe to enjoy a night run.

It’s hard to beat the views on the Virginia Beach boardwalk. With nothing but amazing views of the coast for 3 solid miles, you are sure to stay motivated to finish that run!

Tip: Visit during the spring off season and enjoy less traffic. And be sure to book your stay at an oceanfront hotel for direct access to the boardwalk. Best Western Plus Oceanfront is a great value!

More info on the Virginia Beach boardwalk path

Blackstone Boulevard Walking Path

Distance: 1.6 miles (3.2 miles roundtrip)
Difficulty: Medium
Address & Parking: The Blackstone Blvd. path is located at: Blackstone Blvd & Hope St. Providence, RI 02906. Plenty of free street parking is available.

Beautiful fall foliage on Providence's Blackstone Blvd. walking path

Blackstone Boulevard, located near Brown University in the eastern section of Providence, Rhode Island, is the best place to run in the city. On any given day, you will see walkers and joggers enjoying the day, yet it is never too crowded to enjoy the path yourself. This path has a healthy, fresh vibe. You will find everyone from Brown University athletes, to seniors enjoying a cup of coffee, to dog walkers out completing the 3 mile round trip journey.

There are a few small hills, nothing too dramatic, but enough to make your run a bit more challenging. If you want more distance, just run the length twice. You will not tire of the peaceful, tree-lined views! The fall season is absolutely fantastic with striking red and orange trees lining the path.

No bikes are allowed so need to worry about sharing the path. Also, the path is very wide so you can easily glide past any walkers without constantly going around them. In general, people are very respectful on this path and stay out of the way for the runners.

Tree-lined views along with gorgeous views of historic homes allow you to get a workout in while actually enjoying the journey at the same time. This path has just got something special -maybe it’s the healthy, youthful vibe which is quite motivating.

Tip: After your run treat yourself to a dessert at Wildlflour Bakery in Pawtucket.

Crystal Cove State Park

Distance: 17 miles of trails
Difficulty: Hard
Address & Parking: Crystal Cove is located at: 8471 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. Parking is steep – $15 per car, but don’t worry it is worth it for the tremendous views! Or, you can always find a side street and bike into the park for free (if you are willing to travel a bit).

Views of the coast from Crystal Cove State Park  in Laguna Beach, California

One of Orange County’s hidden gems, Crystal Cove State Park, home to over 2000 acres of pristine, natural wilderness is the perfect place to train interrupted in the hills. Not for the novice runner, Crystal Hill’s hilly terrain is suited for intense running workouts.

Training on a portion of the 17 miles of hiking trails available within the park offers you the opportunity to take in fantastic views of the coast and natural coastal sage scrub landscape, while also getting in an all over body workout.

You will be prepared for any race after training on these intense hills. This really is a peaceful park with barely any crowds. It can be a bit spooky at times because it is so quiet. Mountain lions are known to inhabit the hills, so be careful. Also be aware that there is barely any shade on the trails, so wear a hat and wear plenty of sunblock! Also pack snacks and carry a large water bottle or water backpack.

Take an opportunity to escape the crowded beaches of Orange County by enjoying a natural getaway to Crystal Cove. The views are gorgeous and you may even spot wildlife along the way. Sweeping views of the coast help motivate you up the steep hills of Moro Canyon. And, a beautiful less-crowded beach awaits you after your workout.

Tip: Bring plenty of water – hill training here is quite intense!

More info on Crystal Cove State Park

Cape Cod Rail Trail

Distance: 22 miles (44 miles round trip)
Difficulty: Medium
Address & Parking: There are several trail heads. Rte 134 in South Dennis, Massachusetts is the best place to start. Here, you will find a large free lot next to a bike shop and a great Italian restaurant.

Gorgeous tree lined views along Massachusetts' Cape Cod Rail Trail

Massachusetts’ Cape Cod Rail Trail is a dream destination for nature and exercise enthusiasts. The scenic path offers 22 miles of uninterrupted tree-lined views. Marathon training is easy here, especially when surrounded by such pristine, natural views.

Although, you will see a handful of other joggers and cyclists on the trail, it is almost never too crowded to enjoy the day. There are plenty of restaurants along the way if you need a snack, including Cobie’s (rated one of the best clam shacks) and Hot Sparrow Chocolate (delicious homemade ice cream, coffee, and bakery treats).

Massachusetts is the perfect place to train for a race. Unlike other areas of the country, it never really gets too hot. Add in plenty of shade and the gorgeous natural views of the Cape Cod area, and you have yourself a real winner. Pure nature – a beautiful, serene path. Bonus – there is a gorgeous beach located near the end of the path (Marconi) which is known for seal and whale sightings!

Tip: Prior to your run, enjoy breakfast at local favorite Persy’s Place – home to the largest breakfast menu in New England.