Start of the Madison Marathon

Our choices for the top 10 cities for Masters runners

Eugene, Ore., is Track Town USA. It's the town where Steve Prefontaine, America's martyred, patron saint of distance running made his name. And it's he town where Nike was founded. For these reasons and others, Eugene tops Masters Athlete's list of the best running towns for Masters runners. Our staff evaluated the towns in terms of climate/terrain; training facilities; events and the number of local participants. For each criterion a town could earn as many as five stars. Eugene received a perfect score of 20 stars. In the following story you can see how other top running towns, such as Boulder, Colo., San Francisco and, of course, Boston, rate for Masters runners.

Eugene, Ore.
Long a mecca for track and field's elite, Eugene proudly flaunts its nickname, "Track Town, USA."  Located in Oregon's verdant Willamette Valley, this vibrant college town has been chosen to host the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Track and Field Trials.

An idyllic landscape of woods, ponds and grassy fields set the scene along Pre's Trail in Alton Baker Park. The bark-surfaced circuit is named in memory of running prodigy Steve Prefontaine, one of many world-class runners who have lived and competed in Eugene. The park sits along the Willamette River, where riverside paths are linked by a series of footbridges creating loop runs of up to 12 miles.

Running events abound year-round on Eugene's roads, trails and nearby hills. The Butte to Butte 10K Run, Eugene's largest and oldest road race, is a Fourth of July tradition for local runners. The annual Eugene Marathon attracts 4,000 participants each spring.

Climate/Terrain: 5.0 stars
Training: 5.0 stars
Events: 5.0 stars
Local Participants: 5.0 stars
Total: 20 stars

San Francisco
Few cities are as visually stunning as San Francisco. Fewer still offer so many high-quality running routes that show off the city's charms. In Golden Gate Park, you can run loops of up to 10K by the gardens, lakes and museums of this great urban parkland.

On the northern end of the peninsula, miles of trails parallel the waterfront. Heading west from Fisherman's Wharf, you'll pass Fort Mason and Crissy Field as you approach Fort Point in the Presidio. All the while, you'll be taking in striking views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Extend your run by crossing the bridge on the pedestrian walkway. The bay and city look spectacular from a vantage point 250 feet above the water.

On the third Sunday of May, San Francisco hosts the 12k Bay to Breakers, among the country's oldest, largest and most colorful running events. Some participants don elaborate costumes for the race, while others eschew clothing altogether.

Climate/Terrain: 5.0 stars
Training: 4.5 stars
Events: 5.0 stars
Local Participants: 5.0 stars
Total: 19.5 stars

Boulder, Colo.
In a town that thrives on adrenaline and sunshine, it's hardly surprising that running is ingrained into the Boulder lifestyle.

The backbone of the local running scene is the Boulder Creek Path, a multi-use trail that parallels Boulder Creek through the heart of the city and into rock-walled Boulder Canyon.
For a more challenging outing, locals make tracks to the seven-mile Mesa Trail. The rolling dirt path features great views and leg-burning climbs as it winds through grassland and forest along the base of the foothills.

Races are staged frequently throughout much of the year, but the big one is the Bolder Boulder, a 10k held each Memorial Day. With a field of 50,000, it's one of the world's biggest races and attracts an international collection of elite runners. The race ends with a huge family-friendly party at Folsom Field on the University of Colorado campus.

Climate/Terrain: 5.0 stars
Training: 4.0 stars
Events: 5.0 stars
Local Participants: 5.0 stars
Total: 19.0 stars

Portland, Ore.
In recent years, Portland has been listed among America's fittest and greenest cities. You can add runner-friendly to the list.

Portland's multitude of running venues includes both urban environments and leafy woodlands.  Downtown dwellers frequent the banks of the Willamette River where Waterfront Park and Eastbank Esplanade form a 2.8-mile loop that includes a 1,200-foot floating walkway.
Runners can find a more bucolic experience on the 70 miles of trails that meander through Forest Park. Beginning at the Leif Erikson trailhead, there are distance markers every quarter mile along the old roadway.

Looking for a running partner? No problem. With 1,000 members, the Portland-based Oregon Road Runners Club is the largest running club in the West.

Portland's myriad of running events includes June's just-for-fun Starlight Run.  This Rose Festival favorite brings out thousands of costumed joggers. The Portland Marathon, held in October, draws frequent praise for overall excellence. Its 4,500 volunteers ensure all finishers feel like winners.

Climate/Terrain: 5.0 stars
Training: 4.5 stars
Events: 4.5 stars
Local Participants: 5.0 stars
Total: 19.0 stars

Philadelphia
The city that gave us Rocky Balboa and the Penn Relays offers up copious scenic settings to pound both pavement and trail.

Picturesque river views highlight the 8.6-mile loop on the River Drives along the banks of the Schuylkill. If you begin at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, you can finish your workout with a dash up the museum's famous Rocky Steps.  At the top, it's traditional to raise your fists in triumph while humming the Rocky theme song.

For close-in peace and quiet, shady Forbidden Drive follows Wissahickon Creek in expansive Fairmont Park. For an escape from the city, make the short trip to the hilly trails of Valley Forge, a favorite training ground for local collegiate runners.

You'll stride past numerous historic sites along the routes of May's 10-mile Broad Street Run, September's Distance Run Half Marathon and November's Philadelphia Marathon.

Climate/Terrain: 4.5 stars
Training: 5.0 stars
Events: 4.5 stars
Local Participants: 4.5 stars
Total: 18.5 stars

Salt Lake City
The 2002 Olympics may have showcased Salt Lake as a winter sports paradise, but it's no secret that the city's parks, foothills and nearby canyons offer runners a stellar assortment of fair weather workout venues.

Don't expect waterfront running, but do expect outstanding vistas on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail that traverses the foothills at the base of the rugged Wasatch Range. Located along the former eastern shore of ancient Lake Bonneville, the 95-mile-long trail is a work in progress with new segments continually being added. A variety of intersecting pathways provide convenient access to the city.

For year-round speed work, head to the speed skating rink built for the Olympics. A four-lane, 442-meter indoor track encircles the ice rink and is available for public use for a $2 charge.
The Salt Lake City Marathon, held in April, is gaining regional prominence and fosters fast times with a largely-downhill course.

Climate/Terrain: 4.5 stars
Training: 5.0 stars
Events: 4.0 stars
Local Participants: 4.5 stars
Total: 18.0 stars

Madison, Wis.
In an athletically-charged college town built around lakes, locals embrace their passion for running by hugging the shoreline.

Among Madison's most frequented trails is the Lakeshore Path along the southern shore of Lake Mendota. A five-mile round trip route departs from UW's Memorial Union, which overlooks the lake. The turnaround is at picturesque Picnic Point, at the end of a narrow peninsula.
A variety of landscapes keeps things interesting at Lake Wingra. You'll take in grassland, forest and the expansive UW Arboretum along the pleasant six-mile loop.

One of the country's top running events is Madison's 8k Crazylegs Classic. The springtime race takes 15,000 runners through city streets and onto the UW campus. The Mad City Marathon, on Memorial Day weekend, has something for everyone with 5k, 10k, half and full marathon options.

Climate/Terrain: 4.0 stars
Training: 5.0 stars
Events: 4.0 stars
Local Participants: 4.5 stars
Total: 17.5 stars

Raleigh, N.C.
The North Carolina capital has been collecting heaps of praise recently for its high quality of life. For a quality training run, locals frequent nearby William B. Umstead State Park. The wooded 5,500-acre retreat offers miles of crushed rock roadways and single-track trails.
In March, the park hosts the Umstead Trail Marathon. For those needing a bigger challenge, the Umstead 100-Mile Endurance Run is an annual April event.  Register early as the race is capped at 250 and quickly fills.

For more manageable racing distances, check out November's Old Reliable Run. The popular road race takes over 2,000 runners through the streets of Raleigh at distances of either 5k or 10k.
For running camaraderie, hook up with the North Carolina Roadrunners Club. The group boasts a membership of over 700 "speed demons and shufflers."

Climate/Terrain: 4.5 stars
Training: 4.5 stars
Events: 3.5 stars
Local Participants: 4.5 stars
Total: 17.0 stars

New York City
In the Big Apple, the core of the running scene is Central Park, a runner's haven and one of the country's great urban green spaces. The Park Drives provide loop routes of up to six miles. A 1.6-mile lap around the reservoir offers dramatic skyline views, while the bridal paths provide other short distance options on soft surfaces.

Stretching along the banks of the Hudson River, Riverside Park is another favorite Manhattan running spot with smaller crowds than Central Park.  In other boroughs, runners log miles in Brooklyn's Prospect Park and in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx.

A multitude of running events is staged throughout the year in New York. With over 35,000 runners, the ING New York City Marathon is the world's largest and attracts runners from 100 countries and all 50 states. Held the first Sunday of November, the race takes runners through each of the city's five boroughs.

Climate/Terrain: 3.5 stars
Training: 4.0 stars
Events: 5.0 stars
Local Participants: 4.5 stars
Total: 17.0 stars

Boston
"Boston" and "Marathon" go together like lobster and drawn butter. Beyond the storied April road race, the city is home to one of the country's classic urban running routes. Along the Charles River, you can log some serious miles while enjoying ever-changing views of city landmarks such as the Esplanade and MIT.  Between the Science Museum and Watertown, loop runs of up to 17 miles are possible.

For those who qualify, running the Boston Marathon -- the world's oldest annual marathon -- is an experience like no other. For an endurance run of a different sort, assemble a team for the Midsummer Lights Relay held on Deer Island near Logan Airport. In this June event, team members switch off running 5K loops around the island from sunset to sunrise. When the first rays of sunlight break over the Atlantic, the team with the greatest total mileage is the winner.

Climate/Terrain: 3.5 stars
Training: 3.5 stars
Events: 5.0 stars
Local Participants: 5.0 stars
Total: 17.0 stars