The warm weather seems to bring people outside for the first time since fall.  On campus alone, students can be seen sunbathing, doing homework at tables outside, and enjoying their Starbucks on the patio in the Union. Spring is the only thing that keeps me going in winter. During those long months of early dusk and having to run inside on a treadmill, I think about the warm sun in spring! Now that it has finally arrived (hopefully for good!) I’ll share some of my running paths from campus.

1. Here is a link to MapMyRun.com, where users can route runs to get distances or share with friends. This is a 5.17 ish mile run from campus, but it can me easily shortened by turning around earlier. This run starts by going down the South Side steps and crossing over to the “Jail Trail.” Turn left at the trail, taking it past the jail and to the Smithfield Street Bridge. Run across the bridge, and turn right down the steps on the other side of the bridge. You’ll be in Station Square, where you can take the trail past the restaurants and hotels, and turn around wherever you please. http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/pa/pittsburgh/318126926560493837

2. Here is the link so a shorter run around Duquesne campus. MapMyRun.com says if you circle campus using Forbes Ave. to Stevenson Street, behind St. Martin and Towers on Bluff Street, and back to Forbes using McAnulty Drive, the run is 1.21 miles. To make it longer, simply do the loop 2 or 3 or 4 times. You can switch it up by changing directions each time. http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/pa/pittsburgh/272126926607532384

3. Here is a link to a slightly longer run. MapMyRun.com says this route in 4.53 miles. You begin by going down the South Side steps to the “Jail Trail” and turning left. Take the trail all the way past the Birmingham Bridge to the Hot Metal Street Bridge. There is a separate walking/running path of the Hot Metal Street Bridge, which is awesome! When you get across the bridge, you’ll be in the South Side. The map takes you down East Carson St. to 10th Street. Turn right onto the 10th Street Bridge, go through the tunnel, and end up back on Forbes Ave. You can make this run longer by continuing on East Carson Street until it becomes West Carson Street and you are in Station Square. There, you can run on the trail through Station Square (like in run #1) and take the Smithfield Street Bridge back to campus. http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/pa/mt%20pleasant/561126926643894534

These are just a few runs I do while on campus. If you have another other routes, MapMyRun.com is a great tool, and please share them with everyone by commenting on Facebook or posting a comment on the blog! I could always use a new running route!

Be sure to run with a friend!

-Brittany