The Best Cities for Runners: The Twin Cities

An online outdoors magazine was recently asked this question by someone in New Mexico:

When I travel, I like to bring my shoes with me and sneak in a run during my free time. What U.S. cities have the best, most convenient trails for visitors?

 The 5 cities listed in response?

1. New York City
2. Minneapolis and St. Paul
3. Flagstaff
4. Washington, DC
5. Portland

I'm a little biased towards number 2, though I'm unsure if the article intended a "ranking" of the cities or just a simple listing. Here's how they go on to advertise running in the Twin Cities to the world:

Thanks to all of the ponds and lakes within their limits, running in the Twin Cities is more scenic than just about any other urban area. The route along the Mississippi is a favorite course for runners, as are the paths around Lake Como and Lake Phalen. The Twin Cities Running Club offers a list of routes here.

Not bad for three sentences, though "pond" is not a word I've ever heard spoken in Minnesota. (We are the land of 10,000 lakes after all.) The route along the Mississippi is certainly a personal favorite of this runner, as a quick scan through the logs (and blogs) will confirm.

Since moving to Minneapolis in the summer of 2010, I've been pleasantly surprised with the number of "runnable" routes. I came in expecting the frustration of frequent stoplights, the pain of concrete underfoot, the burn of air pollution in the lungs, and the awkwardness of dodging crowds at high speed. But after exploring a little, I was greeted with miles and miles of dedicated asphalt paths, reachable trails from the front door, and a big river to hold the scene together. Not bad. Even with the winter months (I wonder if that was a consideration in the list?), it would still be at the top of my list.

As a former visitor, it's even beginning to feel like home.