Patty
Local Expert- Only In Jax
Running. You either love it or you hate it, but sometimes you hate a little less and get the inspiration you need from a city and its running paths.
After a few years in Jacksonville, I now love running. Love it enough to run in the morning before the sun comes out, or run on Friday nights instead of going to happy hour, it is mad passionate love.
How did this happen? Easy. I live in San Marco, and work Downtown, and the running trails between the two neighborhoods are simply inspiring. If you lace up your sneakers and run from the Lions at the historic San Marco Square down the picturesque San Marco boulevard to the iconic Friendship Fountain on the Southbank overlooking the sparkling St. Johns River then over the Main Street Bridge onto the Northbank River Walk to the bustling Riverside neighborhood, you would not only run 5 miles, but you would enjoy some of the best views the urban core has to offer.
You had a bad day? Your vacation budget is over the limit? You gained a few pounds eating all of the delicious local food? That can all be gone once your feet hit the pavement and you soak in the breathtaking Downtown Jacksonville skyline reflecting on the water of the St. Johns River as you run from one neighborhood to the other. Your mind clears once you get in motion, and you just connect with yourself, and get active!
I never feel as safe and as involved in my community as I do when I’m running. Runners are friendly, everyone waves, everyone shares the road and the trails, and everyone is out on the same mission, being one with nature and the city. And in a city where nature is king, connecting to it and being active is the best way to explore it.
Be sure to tag your running photos with the hashtag #ActiveJAX. We want to see you running in Jacksonville!
BTW, the running at the Beaches and at the Westside is just as impressive, but more on that later…
Local Expert- Only In Jax