Trailish Is Getting New York City Runners Off the Road

Trail Running in New York City

New York is a concrete jungle, but there are more places to try trail running than you might expect (same goes for surfing and rock climbing). Each borough boasts at least one park with tree-lined, dirt and gravel paths that allow you to get your feet muddy as you attack hills and navigate obstacles underfoot. In Manhattan, the North Woods of Central Park are a nice introduction. Just make sure to be polite to the birdwatchers. In Brooklyn, Prospect Park is full of trails that run parallel to and criss-cross through the main loop. The eastern section of Forest Park in Queens hides some stunning trails between the bustle of Jackie Robinson Parkway and Myrtle Ave. Similarly, Van Cortland park in the Bronx squeezes a ton of fun trails in a relatively small area.

The haven for trail running within New York City, however, is the oft-overlooked Staten Island. Clove Lakes Park offers a marked path that switches between paved road and off-road surfaces with a decent bit of elevation game, ideal for beginners. More intermediate runners should head to the Greenbelt, a system of parks smack dab in the center of the island and New York City’s largest remaining forest preserve, that features over 35-miles of rugged trails to try.

Tried all those and want more? There’s tons of trails just outside the city, both in north New Jersey and the Hudson Valley. Just off the Metro North train, you can get to the Rockefeller State Preserve, Breakneck Ridge, and Bull Hill. And if you’re willing to cross over into New Jersey, you should try South Mountain Reservation, mere steps away from the Millburn NJ Transit Station.

Trail Running Clubs in New York

Despite this abundant dirt surface, there are very few active trail running clubs in New York. The Brooklyn Trail Club, a subgroup of the Brooklyn Track Club, and Asian Trail Mix—a community that aims to make trail running more accessible for all people of color, but particularly Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals—both host regular open-to-the community trail runs at different spots around the city that are accessible via public transportation.

Occasionally, some running brands will also host trail runs. The most dedicated I’m aware of is Miler Running, which amazingly produces all of its gear within New York City. After launching a collection specifically targeted towards trail runners last summer, founder Ben Morrow planned a “Sunrise Series” of runs in a bunch of different Brooklyn parks. He just told me he’s planning to start up the series later this spring, so keep the brand on your radar.

Source: https://www.fieldmag.com/articles/trailish-outlandish-new-york-trail-run-groups