Listed below are some local spots for running. Submit your favorite place to jcrrcsite@gmail.com
Katy Trail:
The Katy Trail is a 225 mile path north of the Missouri River. Formerly a railroad track, it was shut down and covered with crushed gravel. The trail has mile markers, excellent scenery, much shade, and frequent benches. Bathrooms and water fountains are located at the North Jefferson
pavilion (a good place to start and finish) and in Hartsburg (10 miles
west). The trail is very
flat with no sharp turns for many miles. This is a great
place to do long runs and tempo runs because hills and traffic can be avoided altogether.
http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail/index.html
Parks and Rec Greenway:
The Greenway is a wide concrete path that goes from Fairgrounds Road
to Dunklin Street and is currently expanding. Every quarter-mile is marked, and bathrooms and water fountains are at the intersection of Edgewood and Wildwood. Some street
crossings interrupt the greenway, but in general it is a great running path.
Going west to east, it follows Edgewood Road, crosses Southwest Blvd,
and runs adjacent to a creek all the way to Dunklin. More spurs are being added throughout Jefferson City.
In addition, there is a 3 mile off-road trail south of the Greenway that begins at the parking lot 1east of the Edgewood/Wildwood intersection.
http://www.jeffcitymo.org/parks/greenway.html
Downtown:
Urban Jeff City is well-suited for running. Most streets have sidewalks and crosswalks. A few hills present a welcome challenge. Many routes follow High Street, McCarty, Lafayette, Broadway, Jefferson, and the many connecting streets. West Main and Boonville Road link to the downtown area from the west and are excellent for tacking on miles. Also in the vicinity are Central Dairy, which is a popular local ice cream store that make an
excellent post-workout snack, and the Capitol building, an enjoyable running attraction.
Local 400m Tracks:
Helias High School (on Stadium Blvd) has an asphalt track that is descent for running, but lacks the cushion of a rubberized surface.
Thomas
Jefferson Middle School (west, on Fairgrounds Rd) has a black rubber
track.
Lewis and Clark Middle School (east, on Eastland Dr) has a newly resurfaced black rubber track that is truly excellent.
Local Parks:
Binder Park (west of Jeff
City) has 12 miles of off-road trails and a grassy cross-country course that is mowed in the fall.
McKay Park (Southwest Boulevard) has a 0.6 mile concrete path around a lake as well as a steep but short grass hill that is great for repeats.
Cole Co. Park (Fairgrounds Road) has a 2/3 mi. concrete path around a lake. The grass is good for fartleks or
repeats. There is a cross country
course, but it is only conspicuous in autumn.
Riverside Park (East McCarty) has excellent turf for grass running. Runners can improvise a loop or follow the unmarked 'course.' Ellis Porter Pool is adjacent to Riverside.
Memorial Park (West Main) has a 1.1 mile concrete loop and is a great place to start a road run going into the downtown area or the surrounding residential streets. A swimming pool is at Memorial, as well.
McClung Park (Moreau Drive) has a huge concrete hill that is killer for repeats. Also a good place to start and finish a road run.
http://www.jeffcitymo.org/parks/cityparks.html