Caitlin Flanagan '24
Staff Editor
As both a Double Hoo and a person who finds it difficult to relax by staying still, I’ve been running around this town for (going-on) seven years. Somehow, I’m still finding new fun routes, and love being shown hidden charming neighborhoods by friends. I’ve never encountered as many former cross-country stars in one place as I have here at the Law School. So, this crowd-sourced runner’s guide to Charlottesville aims to save newcomers to the area from pounding out too many miles in the tepid climate of the North Grounds Recreation Center or, perhaps worse, running along Route 29.
Best Routes:
(1) The Corner to W. Main Street to the Downtown Mall:
If you’re looking for a relatively flat route buzzing with the quirks of city life, from the sounds of the accordion on the Mall, to the smell of several bakeries, to the trudge of hungover undergrads on the Corner, look no further than running down West Main Street and down the Mall. Sometimes the sidewalk is a bit narrow, but that seems a worthy price to pay in exchange for one of the livelier routes in town.
(2) The Rivanna Trail
There are several points of entry to the Trail. Some are more running-friendly, and some require a lightness of foot that I, unfortunately, lack. Lately, I’ve been running from a small trail-like path over by the Wool Factory to get onto the larger, paved trail. This is a lovely (above pictured) run alongside the Rivanna River that is, miraculously, also flat!
(3) The Monticello Trail
The Saunders-Monticello trail is four miles of paved walking path. It is runnable, but as the path does wind its way up to Monticello, it is a challenging uphill climb. Worth it for the views, though!
(4) John Warner Parkway
I am a bit directionally challenged and therefore have not yet entirely pieced together how each part of this route comes together. But every time I find myself on a piece of it, it is really quiet, except for the sounds of birds and the wind in the trees.
(5) Main Grounds
Running from the Rotunda over to First Year dorms is a real walk down memory lane for me, and a run through a beautiful college campus (Grounds) for you! I recommend swinging a left once you get to Alderman Road and then running over in the Fry’s Spring neighborhood, too—lots of cute streets and homes.
Best Races:
(1) Charlottesville Ten Miler
The Ten-Miler somehow manages to be the perfect soft launch for spring every year. The course is perfect, and so many people come out to cheer. Usually, the trees have begun to bud, but there’s a bit of a chill in the air. And ten miles is so impressive, yet also so doable!
(2) Richmond Marathon, Half Marathon or 8K
Richmond is a charming and often under-explored (for UVA students) city. They call it “America’s Friendliest Marathon” for a reason: There are so many happy runners and happy onlookers!
(3) Charlottesville Marathon or Half Marathon
For whatever reason, the energy around these races never seems as electric as the Ten-Miler. I think the course is far hillier, and when I convinced my mom to do it with me, she said this is “the last half marathon” she’d ever do. So, not my favorite.
Best Ways to Make Running Friends:
(1) Send a message in your Section GroupMe!
I made some friends from these early “Anyone want to run?” type texts and still run with some of those buddies today.
(2) Try out Cou Cou Rachou Run Club
You wake up early, show up at 6:30 a.m. at Cou Cou Rachou, run three miles, and get a couple dollars off whatever delicious pastry you want! I cannot imagine a better way to start a Thursday morning.
(3) Prolyfyck
I haven’t been, but have heard from friends that this Black-led running group has a “no one left behind” policy, where they wait for you at the top of hills, which seems really nice if also potentially embarrassing. They were also at the Richmond races this last weekend and cheered me on in a moment of real desperation.
(4) Random Row Run Club
If beer is more your speed than pastries, try out Random Row Run Club! They meet at 6 p.m. on Mondays to run a 5K, followed by beer deals!
(5) Run with Jim Ryan!
I am not sure how often this happens, but it seems cute.
Best Place to Buy Running Gear:
Ragged Mountain Running Shop! Although I actually can’t even think of anywhere else in town, this is my favorite place even taking my hometown running store into account. They’re so helpful and friendly, and there’s even parking behind the store if you, like me, generally avoid the Corner for parking reasons.
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cf3tf@virginia.edu