Once you’ve started running around New Haven and have gotten to know the city, you will find your own favorite running route; but to get you started, here are a few that many Yalies enjoy:
Armory Street
Distance: Five miles, depending on where you start and finish.
Run all the way up Prospect Street; Armory Street will be on your right near the very end of the road. Turn down Armory Street and then right on either side of St. Ronan Street or Whitney Avenue. Both are nice; St. Ronan Street is less busy and lined with huge old houses and trees. If you are on St. Ronan Street you will have to turn left down any of the cross streets and then right on Whitney Avenue. Whitney Avenue will take you back to the edge of campus.
The hardest part of this route is the run up to Prospect Street at the very beginning, but after that it is mostly flat or downhill the rest of the way. The route can be shortened by taking any of the earlier cross streets between Prospect Street and Whitney Avenue.
Orange Street to East Rock Park
Distance: Five miles, depending on where you start and finish.
Run a couple blocks down Grove Street past Timothy Dwight College until you hit Orange Street. Turn left on Orange Street and run until you can see the end. Right before the road ends, after you have run across a small bridge, you will see a trail along the river on your left. Run down this trail. When you hit East Rock Road you can either turn left and follow it to Whitney Avenue, or you can cross the road and continue down the trail. Soon you will see a covered bridge on your left; cross this bridge and run out to Whitney Avenue. Turn left on Whitney Avenue and it will take you back to the edge of campus. There are many trails through East Rock Park, so if you’re looking for a longer run you might check out some of those.
Wooster Square
Distance: Two miles, depending on where you start and finish.
Run down Grove Street past Timothy Dwight College and across the railroad tracks. Take your first right after crossing the tracks onto Olive Street. Turn left when you hit Greene Street, which will take you to Wooster Square. This park is beautiful in the springtime when all the trees are in bloom. On the opposite side of the park is a small street that will take you to Wooster Street; if you go right on Wooster Street, you will be back on Olive Street. From there you can run back the way you came or take a left on Chapel Street, which will bring you back to campus.
Rebecca Dickens is a junior in Ezra Stiles College. She is a member of the Yale track team.