Running Routes in the MHK Area
“What are some places to run around Manhattan?” is one of our most common non-gear related questions here at MRC. Lucky for us, the Manhattan area has some great spots to run! In this blog post, we’ll share some of our favorite locations to inject some freshness into your running routine during the start of 2025.
Roads & Greenways
City Park
City Park in downtown Manhattan is a great place to meet up for an urban run, or makes a good opportunity for a lollipop route. The path around the park is exactly one square mile, which makes for easy distance tracking.
Frank Anneberg Park
Anneberg Park is a staple of the Manhattan Run Club. Located just west of the store with a 1.6 mile loop, it’s a great spot to do a more up-tempo workout. Like City Park, it’s also a nice spot to add in a loop if you are running from or on the southwest side of town.
Linear Trail
Now fully open after construction, the Linear Trail stretches 8.5 miles end to end from the Casement Road area to Midwest Dream Car Collection. Access points abound- there are parking lots at Anderson Ave, Northeast Community Park, and Linear Park, or run south from City Park and hop on the Manhattan Ave trailhead.
Gravel Roads from Deep Creek Schoolhouse
If you’re looking to get off the pavement but avoid technical trails, the gravel roads out by Deep Creek and Pillsbury Crossing are a great area to run - especially for longer distances. Park at the Deep Creek Schoolhouse and head out on Daniels Drive, and you can run about as far as you want! For a route of about 6.5-7 miles, make a loop using Pillsbury Crossing Lane + Road, and take Pleasant Valley Drive back to Daniels. Heads up: be sure to pack your high-visibility gear and headlamp, as well as water and snacks!
Hudson Nature Path
The Hudson Nature Path on the west side of town is used frequently by many of us here at MRC. It’s only about a mile long, but makes for a great foundation for a route where you can add on to Marlatt Ave gravel by cutting through Washington Marlatt Park, or by snaking through the streets of the Colbert Hills area.
Western Heritage Trail/Tuttle Creek Campground area
The Rocky Ford Fishing area is a great spot for more than just fishing! Head north from the parking lot and follow the path into the Tuttle Creek Campground area to get a run in under the shade of the park’s trees. Heading all the way to the disc golf course and back from the parking lot will get you about 4 miles.
Trails
Konza Prairie
Get ready for some hills! The Konza Prairie Biological Station is the site of MRC’s Run the Konza Trail races, and perhaps the best spot near town to get in a longer trail run. With loop lengths of 2.8, 4.8, and 6.3 miles, there’s lots of opportunity for trail runs of any length. Keep an eye out for migratory birds and wildlife to spice up your run.
Washington Marlatt/Top of the World
Washington Marlatt park is a great place to start a trail run or gravel road run. Make multiple loops up towards Top of the World to rack up elevation gain, or mix it up with an out-and-back up west on Marlatt Ave towards US 24.
Fancy Creek/Randolph State Park
Technically, these are mountain bike trails - but the best location for a more traditional trail running experience, as far as footing goes. Fancy Creek will be more rocky & rooty than Konza and Top of the World, and the route is much more winding - so plan your footwear accordingly! The entirety of the trail runs about 6 miles.
