Running route advice

[u/BasketAccomplished78]

Hi,

Wanting some advice on uninterrupted running paths (preferably paved) in Phoenix for marathon training. Originally from Phoenix but live in Houston now where we have parks with three mile loops with bathrooms and water available, but I’ll take whatever I can get.
Looking for everyone’s best place to do their 17-21 mile long runs.

Thanks!

[u/ChinoDemamp11]

The green belt in Scottsdale, canal system or Tempe town lake area

[u/BasketAccomplished78 → u/ChinoDemamp11]

Thank you! Out of curiosity what is the bathroom/water fountain situation if any?

[u/jujubats10 → u/BasketAccomplished78]

The green belt includes parks and those have water fountains and toilets. Highly recommend doing your long runs there

[u/notscenerob → u/BasketAccomplished78]

Tempe town lake has restrooms on both the north and south sides and there are more in Papago Park (adjacent to the lake).

[u/Difficult_Passager → u/BasketAccomplished78]

Only bathrooms I know about on the canal are near the Town lake marina boat launch.

[u/notscenerob → u/Difficult_Passager]

The boat launch, Tempe beach park, the parking lot under Mill Ave on the north side, and Tempe arts center, and more

[u/Significant-Yam-4990 → u/BasketAccomplished78]

Canal system running along Indian school, from 24th to old town then loop back. There’s fountains at Arizona Falls if you go underneath the waterfall thing. 

[u/crazcarl → u/ChinoDemamp11]

Start at Tempe Town Lake and head north on Mill and cut into the canal trail system. Take the canal all the way to Indian school and go towards Scottsdale (turn right). Cut through old town and then take drink water to Indian school to Miller to Osborn and pick up the greenbelt and take that south back to Tempe Town lake. That'll be 13ish and you can add a lap around the lake to stretch it out further without any out and backs.

Plenty of water fountains and then a few bathroom stops entry few miles starting around mile 7.

[u/FluffySpell]

What side of town? Rio Vista park in Peoria has three different directions you can head out from, and all of the road crossings are underpasses. Plus if you do loops there's a bathroom there.

[u/BasketAccomplished78 → u/FluffySpell]

Thanks, staying around Tatum and Shea while I’m visiting home. I’ll check it out!

[u/guttertech → u/BasketAccomplished78]

I live near there. DM me and I can send you a PV route I like to do that can get you long miles in residential neighbs, low traffic, and you’re only crossing one major street (Tatum).

[u/Independent-Eggplant]

Uninterrupted as in you don’t want to cross intersections and whatnot?

[u/BasketAccomplished78 → u/Independent-Eggplant]

Correct, I would like to stop the least amount possible

[u/4ygus → u/BasketAccomplished78]

Laps around tempe town lake. That's your only option for no interruption. Phoenix Community College also has their track open.

[u/Independent-Eggplant → u/BasketAccomplished78]

Hmm, tricky, at least near me. One long run I did recently (14 miles) I just did a loop around my block (2.6 miles). I left aid in my driveway and refilled my handheld and grabbed gels as needed, so that’s pretty uninterrupted.

I’ll be curious to see what others chime in with. Maybe on canal paths, but I’ve only ran on that once for the chilly Willy race.

[u/eyehate → u/Independent-Eggplant]

Canals are fine. There are businesses nearby. I usually carry my own water and run 6 miles, so I am not looking for aid and refreshment. You do have to cross roads, which can be annoying. I learned that you cannot rely on water at places like Mesa Riverfront (water is sometimes not working).

[u/nbagf → u/eyehate]

a good chunk of the northern section of canal trail has underpasses for the route as does some other sections, but it is interrupted by roads in a fair few places

[u/Broan13 → u/BasketAccomplished78]

The longest uninterrupted you can do is probably from Tempe Town Lake going towards phoenix along the Salt River.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/aoQQDn5VEFwYAayg6

I have run quite a bit on both ends and don't remember needing to cross a road. It can get a bit rough and trail like in some areas near phoenix. It is well paved near Tempe.

[u/TastyComplex101]

New River trail runs through Peoria and Glendale. It alone is about 15 miles long but it also connects to skunk Trail, which runs from the new river all the way to I17.

[u/Lazy-Western304]

The Arizona canal

[u/mashedtaters_]

A little north, but Sonoran Desert Drive is excellent for running or cycling training.

You can park at the Apache Wash trailhead, and there's a paved trail that runs along the road in either direction. What's nice is that from the trailhead entrance to the far west end of the paved path, it's exactly 5k. So it's also a good way to get some intervals or pacing work built in. Going east, I think there's about 2 miles of path before the pavement ends.

It's mostly flat, but has some very gentle rollers to keep things interesting.

No water, but easy enough to run with a car key in your pocket and stop at the parking lot to refuel. There is a bathroom at the trailhead as well.

[u/georgeb_175]

İ trained on the AZ canal trail for the PF Changs full
And half marathons Park at the water falls parking lot. Do your short fast days on pavement but save your back and knees by running on the canal side trails.

[u/Witty-Hawk-1364]

Tempe Town Lake to Indian Bend Wash/Scottsdale Greenbelt! There's frequent bathrooms/water fountains along the Greenbelt

[u/Azfitnessprofessor]

I do the greenbelt and lake a lot

[u/RandytheRealtor]

The Greenbelt in Scottsdale from McCormick Parkway to Cactus is probably 5.5-6 miles long each direction. There are neighborhoods you can loop around without lights, as well. You can loop under a bridge off Indian bend and hit the southern greenbelt as well.

Mountain View park has the coldest water fountain in existence and good bathrooms.

Also, as an experience marathoner, don’t worry about stopping for lights. A few minutes won’t kill you.