Running and Walking in Brooklyn

Brooklyn is an exciting part of New York City, fullend a long run because there are many good
of character and diversity. It also has ancasual restaurant/bars close by for winding down
enthusiastic running community, some excellentafterwards. Coney Island is not so good for
running clubs, and some outstanding running trails.restaurants and bars but it does have an
Brooklyn is convenient to reach from Manhattan,amusement park and Nathan's Famous hot dogs
either on foot from Downtown or by subwayso it may work for you as a destination.
from anywhere on the island, so you do not haveThe third leg noted above is the route of the
to be a Brooklyn dweller to consider running orBrooklyn Half-Marathon run in late May - the
walking here.course of that race involves a couple of loops of
The focal point for running in Brooklyn is ProspectProspect Park followed by the run along Ocean
Park, Brooklyn's answer to Central Park. It is 526Parkway to finish on the Coney Island boardwalk.
acres, roughly two-thirds the size of Central Park.This is a great race that I would recommend to
It has a paved loop road, 3.35 miles around,anyone.
closed to vehicle traffic much of the time. It hasBrooklyn also has some excellent longer distance
some significant hills at the northern end, makingrunning further out. The trail following the Belt
for a great training location. It is easily reached byParkway along the shore can take you about
subway, or you can connect on foot from Cityseven miles from Canarsie to Sheepshead Bay,
Hall via the Brooklyn Bridge, scenic Brooklynoptionally continuing further along the streets to
Heights, and Downtown Brooklyn (about fourConey Island. There is also a long route
miles).connecting that trail to the Rockaway Beach
For longer distance runs, I love the triangle ofboardwalk in Queens. All of the endpoints in the
Prospect Park, Bay Ridge, and Coney Island. Youabove - Canarsie, Sheepshead Bay, and the
can get from Prospect Park to the Bay RidgeRockaways - are served by subway so you can
shore via Fort Hamilton Parkway, Leif Ericsondevise some very interesting outings here without
Park, and the shore trail. The shore trail will alsomaking it an out-and-back route.
take you on to the Coney Island Boardwalk. YouEven if you are not so keen on long runs, be sure
can then get from Coney Island back to Prospectto run or walk the Brooklyn Bridge (and/or the
Park via wide and friendly Ocean Parkway. TheManhattan Bridge) and continue up to Brooklyn
whole loop is about 20 miles but you can easilyHeights to admire the Manhattan skyline from
just do pieces of it since there are subwaythat angle.
stations at all apexes of the triangle. Both BayEnjoy your running or walking in New York's most
Ridge and Prospect Park are excellent places tofascinating borough, Brooklyn!