The 7 Brooklyn Running Routes I Run Most

Brooklyn has Prospect Park, miles of waterfront and bridges that give you a hill. Here are the seven routes I send people to, in order of how often I run them.

1. The Prospect Park loop

The loop is 3.36 miles around, according to the Prospect Park Alliance, and Park Drive is closed to cars.

2. Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront

Flat and scenic. Brooklyn Bridge Park is about 1.3 miles long, from Atlantic Avenue to Jay Street. Add the Promenade above and run out and back along the East River for a longer run. Go early. By 10 am on weekends the paths are packed with strollers and tourists.

3. Brooklyn Bridge or Manhattan Bridge repeats

The Manhattan Bridge has a pedestrian path, which makes it a good choice for repeats. The Brooklyn Bridge is more crowded but more fun at sunrise. Either one gives you a real hill in a borough with few.

4. Shore Parkway Greenway

This path runs along the water from Bay Ridge toward Bensonhurst with the Verrazzano Bridge overhead. It's long and flat, and a good place for marathon long runs. Bring your own water, because fountains are scarce.

5. Greenpoint and Williamsburg waterfront

Link up Domino Park, Marsha P. Johnson State Park, and Transmitter Park for a waterfront run with Manhattan views the whole way. You'll hit some streets between parks, so it's better for easy miles than workouts.

6. Coney Island Boardwalk

About 2.7 miles of boardwalk from Coney Island to Brighton Beach. The wood is softer on your legs than pavement, and in winter you'll have it mostly to yourself. Summer weekends are a different story.

7. Marine Park

The path around the fields at Marine Park is 0.75 miles according to NYC Parks, and flat. It suits tempo runs and intervals when you want something simple.

A few tips before you go

• Run the Prospect Park loop counterclockwise, with the traffic.
• Carry a headlamp or light after dark on the waterfront paths.
• Check the race calendar before weekend long runs. Park races close part of the loop.