Boycott the Treadmill

Charleston—it's practically a three-dimensional postcard and has no shortage of good, scenic places to run. And with October temps cooling things down, there’s really no reason not to hop off that treadmill and get outside. Here are some of the more popular running routes, my favorites, and what you need to know about them before you take off:

1. The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge

The Ravenel Bridge is one of my favorite running spots and judging by the crowds, a lot of people agree with me. Running across the bridge and back is about five miles on a paved pedestrian trail. There’s a water fountain at each end, and, on the Mount Pleasant side, there are two areas to park—you can pay to park underneath the bridge or you can exit on Coleman, take a right at the gas station and parallel park right there by the golf course.

Pros: The scenery is beautiful and I highly recommend a sunset run. There’s usually a nice breeze (or gusty wind) coming off the water and there are plenty of cars and people around, so I always feel safe running here. The length of the trail is nice and perfect for out-and-backs that you can customize to your desired distance. Only want to run three miles today? Just run up the bridge to the
1.5-mile marker then turn around, etc.

Cons: One word: hills. Be ready for quite the incline running up this sucker. The bridge can be crowded sometimes, too, with bikers, walkers, and gawkers (tourists), so be prepared to do some dodging. If it’s hot in the afternoon, the direct sunlight can be brutal, so I try to avoid running the bridge in the middle of the day. The traffic noise can also be quite loud if you’re trying to have a heartfelt run-talk with someone. I just turn up my iPod to drown it out.

2. James Island County Park

I live on James Island and could probably walk to this park if I needed to, so finding this running spot was a no brainer. The park has paved running/walking trails in three different color-coded courses that intertwine with one another. Ask for a map when you enter the park and you can plot your run accordingly. If you run the outer perimeter of all three colored trails, it makes about a three-mile loop.

Pros: The trails here are good for sightseeing and nature watching. My friends and family who visit from out of town like to run with me here because you get to run through Spanish moss and along marsh views (check out the fishing dock at the end of your run), You can also spot a lot of animals–cranes, ducks, geese, turtles, and sometimes teeny tiny crabs darting under your feet. A good portion of the trail is shaded, which is nice in the afternoon, and if you go this time of year, you get a preview of the Holiday Festival of Lights because they start putting up light displays in August!

Cons: The biggest downside to the park for me is the opening time. I often have to run before work in order to get it in for the day and the JI park doesn’t open until 8 am…which is when I need to be at work. So I save the park for evening runs usually. Also, it costs $1 to get into the park if you don’t have a pass. I buy the Gold Pass every year to save myself the hassle of having to find a dollar every time I want to run.

3. West Ashley Greenway

To find the greenway, head to the South Windermere Shopping Center on Folly Road (you know, where Earth Fare is). When you enter the shopping center, take an immediate right-hand turn in front of the TCBY and park behind the shops. The trail starts under the trees at Folly Road. I’ve read the trail here is 10.5 miles long, but I’ve never run the whole thing so I don’t know for sure. It runs through town parallel to Savannah Highway along what used to be a railroad track. Most of the trail is true trail—dirt, rocks, and all—but they’ve started to pave the first few miles.

Pros: I like the Greenway for long runs because you don’t have to run in circles. I often do 5 miles down and 5 miles back. It is flat as far as elevation goes, it’s free, and it’s always open! Plus you can get some TCBY as a reward when you finish your run.

Cons: If you’re not used to trail running, the uneven ground, bike tracks, and rocks can literally trip you up. Also, I don’t always feel completely safe when running the greenway alone. Friends tell me after-work hours are best because there're a lot more people out there then. But when I’ve gone in the morning and later evening, it’s a little creepy. So when I go, I always take a running buddy or at least some mace.

4. Folly Beach

Or any beach, really. Folly is closest to me, so it’s my favorite. And oh, how I love a good beach run. I wish I had discovered it sooner. Don’t be scared away by the sand, if you run on the packed stuff, it won’t get in your shoes. From one end to the other on Folly is about 4 miles. Make sure to check the tide chart before you go---the lower the tide, the better.

Pros: The scenery is the ultimate pro! You can’t beat the view of a sunrise run on the beach. The temperatures are cooler on the beach than inland and you usually get a nice breeze (but trust me, don’t go when it’s too windy). I always feel safe running on the beach and there’s plenty of things to look at—surfers, kite boarders, shells, tourists, and even those damn seagulls.

Cons: The beach can be crowded, so I advise going in the morning, the off season or on a weekday. If you run at high tide on Folly, you’re going to have to hurdle those concrete barriers that are dispersed along the beach and trust me, that is no fun.

5. Downtown

People run all over downtown, but my favorite place to run on the peninsula is South of Broad near Colonial Lake, along the Battery, Waterfront Park, and the adjoining neighborhoods. You can make your run as long as you want it to be and running here is the perfect way to see the town and get your exercise in, too.

Pros: There’s plenty to look at on a downtown run. I usually run the same route and still see new things each time. Running downtown is beautiful in the fall and just feels very Charleston.

Cons: The thing I hate the most about running downtown is the traffic lights. When I start to run, I don’t like to stop until I’m finished. Depending on when you go, there can also be a lot of people on your running track (the sidewalk), especially around the Battery. Speaking of the sidewalk, it’s not always even and can be very jagged. And take my word for it: Do not attempt running on cobblestones.

What are your favorite running spots to add to this list?