Avid runners know that even though running is addicting and invigorating, it can become routine if you are limited to running the same area over and over. If you’re trying to find a college campus and surrounding community with plenty of facilities, programs and other options to support an active running lifestyle, take a look at a few we’ve listed here that are a cut above the rest when it comes to hitting the trails or the track.
- Stanford University
Stanford has often been described by outdoor enthusiasts as "crazy about running." For starters, the track at Angel Field is a good place to run some standard laps. There’s also a bark chip/mulch trail, a 7/8-mile loop across the street from Stanford’s stadium. Another popular place Stanford students run nearby is in the Stanford Foothills, where there is a paved, 4-mile trail loop off Stanford Avenue with a challenging uphill climb and stunning views of the south bay. There is usually at least one recreational program that trains runners (in Spring 2010, the program was called Fit to Run). Plus, the Stanford Running Club not only provides camaraderie for runners, but also lists 18 running routes and tracks on and near campus on their website. - University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point
The University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point has a lot to offer runners. First of all, there’s a 200-meter indoor track in the university’s 54,000-square-foot Multi-Activity Center, which will be useful for runners to stay conditioned during Wisconsin’s extremely cold winters. Then there’s the university’s 275-acre Schmeeckle Nature Reserve, which offers excellent jogging opportunities surrounded by wildlife. The reserve features almost 5 miles of trails surfaced with wood chips, which are great on the knees. Best of all is a jewel surrounding Stevens Point—the 24-mile Green Circle Trail, a running hotspot off campus that is very popular with students. Better yet, the trails in the nature reserve join to the Green Circle Trail, providing the kind of connectivity that runners are always searching for. - Boston College
What better place to go than Boston, home of the world-famous Boston Marathon, to be a part of a collegiate running community? Boston College makes this list partly because of the variety of programs offered to runners through its campus recreation program, which maps out 10 running routes ranging from the 1.95-mile Student Trail to the 11.37-mile Kane Route. When the weather’s too bad to run, you can zip around the indoor running track at the BC RecPlex. You might even try your hand running part of the Boston Marathon route near Boston College, including the infamous Newton Hills. The 1.56-mile jogging loop near the college at the Chestnut Hill Reservoir is also a popular place for runners. - Warren Wilson College
Warren Wilson College, a small liberal arts college in Asheville, North Carolina, was selected for this list for college students who prefer to run in a more natural setting, rather than pound pavement. The college is situated in a beautiful rural valley surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and has about 25 miles of hiking trails that are spread throughout the 1,100-acre campus. And did we mention the Blue Ridge Mountains? They are close by, and chock full of trail running opportunities. For a change of pace, Asheville’s public parks are a solid bet, provided you’re okay with running small circuits. A bonus: Asheville is home to a number of 5Ks and 10Ks, including the Bele Chere 5K, which has been held annually for more than 30 years. - University of California—Santa Cruz
The best thing about UCSC for runners is the more than 25 miles of hiking and jogging trails that run throughout the grounds. This on-campus trail system weaves through forests and across open fields and natural habitats, creating quite the sensory journey for the runner. Because UCSC is so close to the coast, the location is ideal for beach runners, and there are many posted access points you can find off coastal roads. A short journey away are varied spectacular trail running opportunities in the massive redwood forests for which the area is famous. Santa Cruz is also known as the starting point for the 6-mile Wharf-to-Wharf race, a tradition more than 30 years in the making that draws runners from across the nation. - Amherst College
Amherst College’s surroundings in Massachusetts are a boon to runners. The college’s cross country team trains in areas such as Amethyst Brook Conservation Area, a natural area laced with excellent trails that’s only a short bike ride away from campus. Amethyst Brook also features connections to the 47-mile Robert Frost Trail and the 114-mile Metacomet and Monadnock trails. On campus, there’s the Field Loop, a challenging cross-country course where runners will feel the burn of some uphill climbs. You can check out some great photos of these running landscapes at Amherst’s cross country team website. The Amherst College Outing Club also lists some local trail ideas on their website. Finally, the 11-mile Norwottuck Rail Trail is a good running or biking path that passes through campus. - University of Virginia
For track & field athletes, the University of Virginia in Charlottesville has an excellent 9-lane regulation track, Lannigan Track. But you don’t have to be a student athlete to get some good running in. There’s also Panorama Farms, a great running spot only six miles from campus that features nine miles of grassy trails and 30 miles of mountain bike trails out in nature; the university’s cross country competitions are held here. A big favorite for runners in Charlottesville is the Rivanna Trail, which provides a scenic riverside run circling the city. The Rivanna Trail includes 20 miles of hiking trails. A bonus: the city is home to many, many races, including the relatively new Charlottesville Marathon. - Berry College
One of the reasons Berry College is so great for runners is because of all the open space its campus encompasses. This small college in northwest Georgia near Rome has a whopping 26,000-acre campus that is considered by many to be the largest campus in the world. This protected area is full of trails that provide beautiful views of forests, fields, lakes and mountains. The campus has more than 40 miles of hiking and running trails that travel through varied and gorgeous terrain. A well-known running route is the 3-mile Viking Trail which stretches from the Main Campus to the Mountain Campus. The college’s new Steven J. Cage Athletic and Recreation Center also has an indoor track runners can use during inclement weather. - Reinhardt College
Like Berry College, what makes Reinhardt College a runner’s haven is that it sits on a 540-acre campus in a beautiful, natural setting. Soon to be called Reinhardt University, this college in Waleska, Georgia is still a small one. The great thing about the 7 miles of interconnected trails is that they are only minutes from the center of campus and that they are all loops, so you don’t have to turn around and come back the way you came, but can proceed naturally back to where you started. These trails are great for more strenuous runs, as even the mountain bikers you will share the trails with find some of the trails challenging. - University of Colorado—Boulder
It can get cold in Boulder, so runners at the University of Colorado—Boulder will be glad to know there’s an indoor running track at the university’s recreation center. The suspended track is 1/10 of a mile and is always available during the rec center’s regular hours. Those who live in Boulder are known for their love of the great outdoors and the city also has a well-connected running community. A fantastic online community can be found at BoulderRunning.com. A favorite spot for runners is the Boulder Creek Path, a well-kept running and biking route which weaves throughout most of the city and is even plowed during the winter. The city is also home to the Bolder Boulder, which has been called the second largest 10K races in the nation, and countless other foot races.