Serious running

[psufan]

We are bringing friends with us on our trip in June. In fact, we just found out our group has expanded and we are so excited. One of the people joining us is a serious runner. I know there have been past posts asking about running routes but since we don't run I haven't really paid attention to those posts. Does anyone have recommendations for running routes maybe in the 3-5 mile range? He is "training" for a race in late summer and doesn't want to go a week without putting some miles in. Maybe some of the locals have some suggestions? I know there roads are less than ideal and I explained that to him. I told him that I would try find something out here since you guys are a wealth of information.

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/pub/media ... ingmap.pdf

This is a link to the path that many runners/walkers use on STJ. It's well traveled (by runners/walkers) so it's not nearly as dangerous as running elsewhere.

[PatrickMcc]

Where are you staying? The Westin route is good but not convenient if you re staying in Coral Bay for instance.

[lark22]

My husband does a triangle starting at Maho, out to Annaberg & Francis, and back -- I think it's about 3 or 4 miles, with possible extensions?

I'm always worried about his safety, but the traffic's not too bad out that way, and it's so quiet that he can always hear a car coming way ahead of time.

[mindehankins]

A person who stays at Cruz Views the same time as us ran to and from Caneel every day... If you're staying in that area, his wife might chime in.

[psufan]

Thank you all for your help. We are staying at Coconuts on Gifft Hill Road.

[Tracy in WI]

My husband is a serious runner and just returned from a trip down where he ran twice most days in preparation for the Boston Marathon. He runs everywhere (like a crazy person!). He'll do the north shore road from Cruz Bay to ??, Cruz Bay out to Ditleff, maho to Francis, etc.

There are safer and less hilly routes, but as a serious runner, he enjoys the challenge.

[Laura T]

We have always parked at Annenburg and run from there (so at least the run starts out flat). My advice is to run early (less traffic). We also found ourselves switching sides of the road often - we always wanted to be on the outside of a turn so we could see traffic as far in advance (and they could see us) as possible.

[54b]

Actually done a lot of thinking about this because my wife and I are going in June with some friends and one of them is a serious runner. I like to jog too, but the words "serious" and/or "runner" will never be used to describe me.

Anyway, here are some suggestions (some mentioned above):

Francis Beach to Leinster Beach and Back (4 miles) - From Francis to the Annaberg parking lot (halfway point) is relatively flat roadway and then from Annaberg parking lot to Leinster Beach is a relatively flat trail. This is probably the flattest stretch you'll find on the island.

Brown Bay Trailhead to Johnny Horn Trail to Leinster Beach to Annaberg Parking Lot (3.5 Miles) - This one is one way, so either you need two people and two cars or your friend needs a chauffeur. But it's a good route, a little hilly in spots, but it's all trail and you don't have to worry about cars...if he keeps running to Francis, he can get nearly 5 miles in.

National Park Info Center to Caneel and Back via the Lindpoint Trail (4 miles) - This is the trail people use to go to hike to Saloman and Honeymoon beaches. You need to be sure footed and if your friend has trick ankles, this may not work well, but it's another good and relatively flat stretch.

Great Cruz Bay Loop (aka, The Westin Loop - lined in post above) - This is probably his closest option to your place on Gift Hill. And if he does this loop, I recommend parking in the loop, not down at the Westin (which is at the bottom of a very steep hill). The loop itself is like 2 miles, so he can run it twice. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of this route. There are some really steep hills that you basically have no choice but to walk up and if you run down them, they will murder your knees. Also, if it's your first time, you can get easily off track or lost as their are some forks in the road that look like other roads, but are really long driveways up to villas.

Some general advice:

- Please tell your friend to go early in the morning like 5:30am or 6. It's crazy humid in June.

- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate - due to the humidity, especially in June, he'll lose a lot more water while running on STJ than he probably does at home. Couple that with few cocktails the night before and it's really easy to get dangerously dehydrated. He's going to need more than water...I like bringing those gatorade powder packets.

- Remember that cars drive on the left side, so he needs to run on the right side so he can face traffic...no sidewalks on most STJ roads and lots of turns. I also don't recommend just starting from Cruz Bay and running out North Shore road for this reason.

Good luck