No place to run, right?

[Need2GetAway]

I'm just trying to verify that there really are no suitable roads to run on St. John, right? Like even if I drove into town? Just thinking about packing etc. (Also trying to adjust to the idea of not running for 10 days.)

Thanks.
[/list]

[deejayjay]

It depends on what you want. My dh runs up the road our villa is on .(The road that goes up the street from island blues) up to the top of bordeaux mountain until you get to the lamesure bay trail head and down the trail past the ranger station and into Lameshur, then you could turn around and go back. Island blues, up bordeaux mountain to lameshure bay trail past rangerhouse to the bay and back. 6-7 miles. It's a good run. little traffic. If you want more specific info pm me and I'll have him answer you more accurately.

On Google the road is Rte 108 and the trail is Rte 107. Just going up Rte 108 had very good veiws of Coral Bay, East end and BVI.

Rte 107 trail views Salt Bay to Lameshur Bay.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UT ... 4&t=h&z=14

[Tracy in WI]

There are several places to run on St. John - my husband is a marathon runner and will run at least an hour every day of our trip. He'll start from wherever we're staying and loves the hills.

I also run on St. John (although much more slowly!) but I walk up the hills because I am unable to run up them - I have a bad knee so do what I can.

I like to start in town and head up on the North Shore Road to the Caneel Bay overlook and back - it's about 3 miles. I also like to start at Maho Bay and run to the start of the Leinster Bay trail, then up to Francis Bay and back to Maho - that is about 4 miles and you end up at the beach.

There is a short loop near Rock Ridge Road (towards the Westin from town) that is gravel and pretty flat. One loop is almost exactly 1/4 mile.

Finally, the Westin has a loop that can be printed out and is a total of about 4 miles - here is the link to that and some other routes:

http://www.seestjohn.com/sports_running.html

Enjoy!

[deejayjay]

Another shorter and less strenous run is a loop starting a the Mahio Campground office. Go down the Goat Trail 1/4 mile to Mahio Bay. Then take the North shore road east. Take the left one way road to the stop sign. Go left towards the Annaberg school house. At the next stop sign take a left to Francis bay nature trail parking area. Continue a few hunderd feet. Francis Bay goes to the Right, villas are to the left and straight up the hill returns to Mahio camp. See google map for an idea of location.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UT ... 1&t=h&z=16

[Pia]

One place I walk the dogs is on part of the Maho loop - I start at Annagerb and then walk to the green building at Maho and back which is 2.6 miles

Pia

[StJohnRuth]

There is a short loop near Rock Ridge Road (towards the Westin from town) that is gravel and pretty flat. One loop is almost exactly 1/4 mile.

Need2GetAway,
This loop Tracy refers to is Roman (Hill) Road, the second right after the Westin.

- Ruth

[Need2GetAway]

Thanks everybody! This is great information.

[jayseadee]

I don't run anywhere, but walk alot on St. John.

If we're staying in town (Grande Bay lately), I take that road down around Gallows Point, then down to Frank Bay or continue up the hill past Battery Hills and back down toward the main road (despite the many trips, I don't know street names).

Early in the morning, traffic is still fairly light; just be sure to mind the crossing guards if school is in session

Of course, 10-days sans running, sounds like a great vacation.

[lark22]

My husband did a lot of running on our recent trip -- he really loved the loop starting at Maho (Bay, not campground), out to Annaberg, and back. Just listen for cars and you'll be fine. Lots of hills, of course, but not as bad as other parts of the island.

Best of all, you can dive into beautiful Maho Bay at the end of your run to cool off. Bliss!

(I'd love to say I joined him, but I just floated lazily around at Maho the whole time he was running).