I have long been a believer that the best way to see a city is in my running shoes. While, I have visited and run in New York City many a time, I was looking for something different on this past visit. Running over the Brooklyn Bridge has been high on my bucket list and I was determined to make this happen. Enter City RunningTours.
City Running Tours New York City Style
City Running Tours is just what it sounds like. A company that offers guided run tours in numerous locations around the country and can be in a group or solo.
Why do a run tour when you can run on your own? Good question.
–Safety and companionship Running in a new city can be confusing and finding a safe route is imperative.
–Knowledgeable tour guides. Your guided run is not just a run but an informative tour of the city with fun facts and descriptions of historical sights along the way. Tour guides are also aware of which routes to choose and avoid on a given day.
-Ability to customize your run or pick a set route. Choosing a group run with a specific route is an option or you can design your own tour based on your interest and time table.
Back to that Brooklyn Bridge mission! I booked a personal tour for 3 reasons. As I am coming back from a running injury, I was not sure what my pace would be and did not want to hold up a group. Second, I really was determined to run that bridge and wanted to be able to stop and take lots of photos. Finally, I just did not want to get up early on vacation.
My tour guide, Rachel, met me in the lobby of my hotel right on time. Because she had already picked out a route, we headed to the Subway (my first time) for a 10 min ride to our starting point near City Hall.
We took on the Brooklyn Bridge first. It’s about a mile each way across. I was so surprised to see so many people out there taking selfies because it was such a cold day. The views of the city skyline were just fantastic. Rachel pointed out the best photo spots and took lots of running photos for me.
We next ran by the old Woolworth building and headed towards the World Trade Center 9-11 memorial. I had not seen it yet and it’s quite emotional.
Next stop Wall Street. At the corner of the street, next to the Stock Exchange, is a statue of George Washington where he was sworn in as the first President of The United States right on these steps. Kind of cool!
We finished our almost 5 mile run down by the piers and headed back on the Subway. Rachel dropped me off right back at my hotel. She was a fabulous guide. My Brooklyn Bridge run was everything I hoped for!
Looking forward to my next City Running Tour. A perfect way to see a city!
Linking up with Kim, Zenaida, Debbie and Rachel
Your running tour of New York looks fabulous! So many great sights and photos. I love the one with you on Brooklyn Bridge.
I took a running guide to go up the Table Mountain as well. It just makes everything so easy and you don’t lose time guessing where to go to next.
Yes exactly! That way you can enjoy your run
That’s a great route Rachel planned! I need to keep this in mind when visiting new cities. The 9/11 Memorial is so somber but important and moving. Isn’t it funny to think the first president wasn’t sworn into office in Washington DC? Obviously that wasn’t the capital then but it’s odd to think about. I’m glad you enjoyed your outing even on such a cold day!
I actually thought GW was sworn in at Philly before I saw the statue. Hope you have the chance to take a run tour again soon
What an amazing tour! I love the idea of a personal tour too. I have this fear of holding up a group, lol. Plus I like the idea of being able to stop to take photos.
Yes it’s perfect bc it allows you to relax and enjoy your run without worrying about anyone else. I love to do them
Looks like an amazing tour. Great way to see the city! Glad you are back and better then ever!
It was such a fun way to see the sights. Working my way back!
This sounds so great! I love that it’s a run and guided tour all in one 🙂 I’m sure that there are many times I’ve run past things without really knowing what they are. And the added bonus of someone to take photos for you is nice.
Yes exactly It’s a fantastic combination of running and touring
This is super awesome. I’ve heard of City Running and I’ve been hoping to do one of the runs. I’m so glad you had a good experience. And all those pics! <3
It’s a fantastic experience. Hope you have the chance to try one sometime
That is my kind of tour! I need to find one of these the next time I’m on vacation!
Yes you do! So much fun
I agree. The perfect way to see and city. I love those Tours. Rachel gave you a great tour.
She really did!
Oh, this looks SOOO fun! The hubs and I are going to Tampa for a long Spring Break weekend, and I was looking for races (go figure LOL). I saw a thing about running tours there…don’t know if it was affiliated with the same company or not. That pic of you on the bridge is EPIC 🙂
Not sure if they have them there but I would go for it if you find one. I am going to Vegas in March and I am going to try to find one there to do as well
Oh, this looks SOOO fun! The hubs and I are going to Tampa for a long Spring Break weekend, and I was looking for races (go figure LOL). I saw a thing about running tours there…don’t know if it was affiliated with the same company or not. That pic of you on the bridge is EPIC 🙂
OOPS! Not sure why my comment posted twice (?)
Got it!Thanks
What a great idea! I’ve only done group tours, and on those I was on my own on my photo stops and had to sprint to catch up. I definitely have loved when guides act like “tour” guides too. Love your last reason for choosing a private tour. 😉
The tour guide aspect was fantastic and yes I do like to go at my own time 🙂 You should definitely take advantage of doing one sometime on your own it’s worth it
I love this. I’m fairly comfortable running in NYC by myself, but I love the idea of having someone to take photos and chat with.
Would you believe that I still can’t visit the memorial? I got close last time we were there, but then I couldn’t breathe and had to abort misison. 🙁
It’s fantastic to have someone along who knows the area and tell you all about interesting historical things. I need to go back and do the whole museum another visit
What a fun way to get to see the city. I would definitely do one of those running tours! Sounds like it is very well run and you got to see a lot of sites!
I really did enjoy it. Hope you have the chance to take one sometime
Man, these tours sound like so much fun! Do you know if there is something similar in Canada?
Yes! I took one in Vancouver a few years back and they have them in Toronto as well.
This sounds like so much fun! I have never done one before, but I would love it, especially in NYC!!!
I hope you have the chance to try one sometime lots of fun and very informative.
Oh wow! NYC!!!! I see you had a great time. That’s great to hear. I would really love to visit it one day. Thanks for sharing this and for lovely photos!
It’s definitely a fun city hope you have the chance to visit soon
I agree that running through it is the best way to really get to know a city. I’ve never done a running tour but I think it would be the best way to see such a huge city like NYC. I’m glad you got in your bucket list run!
A really amazing way to see a city. I have also done them in San Fran and Vancouver
what a beautiful way to enjoy the city!
Definitely is!
I had never heard of City Running Tours. I checked it and they also offer tours here in Chicago. I also wondered why you would go with a tour company but you brought up very good points. Glad you enjoyed it and had fun!
I really did and this was my 3rd one. I have done them in San Fran and Vancouver
Great route. In your pic of the Memorial below the Woolworth building, the dome in the background is the Winter Garden I was talking about. Next time you’re here if we have time I’ll take you on my other favorite lower manhattan route. Down the west side highway and up into the memorial. It’s 4ish depending on where you start and is so much of the best of the city. But yes, I’m biased.
Was it you or Darlene who said you used them in San Francisco? If it was you, how was the route? Otherwise I’ll ping her. I really want to run the Golden Gate while there
I did the Golden Gate run w them and loved it! If you have the chance go for it. It’s kind of confusing to find the route up over the bridge yourself. They start at a perfect spot
Awesome, thank you! I heard the same re: route confusion as a DIY
Hoping it will align with conference schedule, otherwise I’ll see if other conference runners interested in arranging a private one.
Sounds good! Can’t wait to hear about it