Name: Sarah Anne Swiss
Location: William B. Umstead State Park (located in Wake County between Raleigh and Durham)
Distance: 34 miles of trails
Why I love this run: Umstead is an oasis and a runner’s paradise hidden in the middle of the busy Triangle district of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina. With several entrances to this park around the city, you can escape into this natural playground. Umstead State Park offers 34 miles of trails through the nearly 6,000 acres. There is are so many trails that one could get lost – but don’t worry, you won’t. Well maybe… but just in your own run: your thoughts and the beauty of the sprawling park. Inside this park you have your pick of paved greenways, loose gravel, bridle paths, and single track trails. If you are not up for taking the trails alone or just want to meet some more runner buddies, there are several meet up groups with a vast range of skill levels/meeting times that regularly meet throughout the park. Outside of running, this park offers camp grounds, mountain biking trails, camping, picnicking, fishing, horseback riding, boating, and canoeing, a small beach and recreational area, and even a few hidden BMX biking ramps. If you are in the triangle area for a visit or are a local, I highly recommend you give Umstead State Park’s trails a try. For more information (and to ensure you won’t get lost), check out a map of the park: http://www.umsteadcoalition.org/trailmap.htm
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looks like a great place to run!
I have raced and run recreationally there. One of my favorite places to run too!
I love running in Umstead. From my house, I can run to Umstead, do a lap on the bridle trails, and get back home in 20.5 miles. It’s one of my favorite routes. Also, last weekend (april 6) was the Umstead 100 ultramarathon that puts racers through 8 laps at 12.5 miles each in the park. It’s a wonderful place.
Gorgeous! Simply a runner’s heaven!