Missy's Top Ten Favorite Runs
10. Flat Trail repeats, 8-10 miles – Duke Forest, Durham, NC
The “flat trail” is a mostly flat 1.3-mile-long trail in the north end of the Korstian Division of Duke Forest.
9. The Canyon Run, 5 miles – Carlsbad, CA
In the heart of Carlsbad, CA is a set of dirt trails that run through the canyon!
8. Danville Greenway, 5-15 miles – Danville, VA
The greenway can be accessed via a converted railway trestle bridge at the Pepsi Center and Science Museum – the greenway travels along the Dan River.
7. The Greenway System, up to 40 miles easily – Colorado Springs, CO
Get ready to run uphill on the way out and downhill on the way back! The altitude is 6,000 to 6,500 feet. Maps are available on-line and in town.
6. Golden Gate Park Run, 12 miles – San Francisco, CA
On a Saturday morning, you can run from downtown to Golden Gate Park, through the dirt trail loops to the bay, and then head back.
5. The Loop, 8 miles – Umstead Forest, Raleigh, NC
There are various options for where to park depending on where you’re staying, but there are maps on-line and laquered maps on posts in the forest. It’s safe, beautiful, and kind to your joints (the surface is mostly scree and the trails are really fire roads, but there are some single track trails, too).
4. The North Island Run, 5 miles – Topsail Island, NC
This is a great beach run. Of course, it’s flat, and you have to head out early to beat the heat in the summer. There is also the North Shore Country Club Golf Course run – the first 9 are on one side of the road with an under the road bridge to the second 9 – and if you run two loops of the first 9 and one loop of the second 9, you’ll have 8 miles (with two bathrooms and water fountains).
3. Lake Orange Ten, 10 miles – Hillsborough, NC
Partly trails, mostly old farm roads, and a little bit of asphalt, this is a scenic and mostly shaded run.
2. All Four Loops of Duke Forest, 13 miles – Durham, NC
Somehow, this configuration of the Korstian Division in Duke Forest has become known as “running all four loops.” The “loops” include part of the golf course cross country trail, a section of trails along Highway 751, the flat trail, and Couch Mountain. The course is basically an out-and-back, with a “lollipop” on the top. There is an outhouse at the top of the loop that only the old-timers know about!
1. Basic 8, 8 miles – Durham, NC
This is a loop through Duke Forest that starts on Duke’s West Campus at the football stadium and runs for “basically” 8 miles. The run got it’s name because when you’re out of shape, it’s a little long, but when you’re in shape, the run is a little short of 8. This is a staple run for the cross country team and for many in the local running community.
Missy’s Top Ten Favorite Races
