Places to run - Texas

Welcome to the Lone Star State!

Image source

Yes, folks - everything is bigger in Texas.

Cattle drive at the Fort Worth Stockyards.

In fact, I considered splitting the state into two different posts for the running travel guide series, but decided that wouldn't be very Texas-like. So I here's a lengthy lowdown (sorted by region) on where to run in the great state of Texas.

North Texas

• Amarillo: The Lone Star Runners Club calls Amarillo home and can point your in the right direction for local races and running routes.



Valley Pecans in Chillicothe, TX (halfway between Amarillo and Dallas)

• Dallas: The Dallas Running Club is a hub of information on local races, training runs, and routes. They highly recommend running the Katy Trail if you're in town. 
• Fort Worth: Not to be outshadowed by it's sizeable next-door neighbor, the city of Fort Worth boasts its own dedicated running community. The Fort Worth Runners Club and Fort Worth Running Company (running gear store) have the lowdown on local running.
• My personal favorite run has been the Independence 5000 along the Trinity River (race report here).



Beware: the cattle don't obey traffic laws. (Note the "one-way" sign.)

• I also enjoy the parks around the Fort Worth Cultural District.

Sculpture in the Fort Worth Cultural District.

West Texas

• El Paso: Run El Paso describes itself as "a loose, friendly organization of people from the border area who share a common love of running. [They] have training runs every day of the week, occasionally sponsor races and support each other in our long-distance running goals. Runners range in ability and age, from beginners to regional stars, from children running their first 5K to experienced veterans who've logged more than 100 marathons."

Central Texas / Hill Country

• San Antonio: While the Riverwalk is pretty, it is difficult to run (crowded! tourists!) at any time except the very early morning. And while you should certainly remember the Alamo on your trip, the cobbled sidewalks are rough on a runner's ankles. Thankfully the San Antonio Road Runners have compiled a long list of running routes ranging from 3 to 20 miles.



Image source





Austin: If you're going to run in Austin, read the list of "best streets to run in Austin" from  5ksandCabernets. Then check in with the Austin Runners Club for up-to-date information about routes, races, and group runs.

Gulf Coast

• Houston: Houston has several active running associations including (in no particular order): the Houston Area Road Runners Association (HARRA), the Bay Area Runing Club (BARC), and the Houston Masters Sports Association.
• Galveston: The Gulf Coast Running Club calls Galveston home.

Other Texas Running Resources:

• List of Texas running groups from RunningInTheUSA

Are you involved in a Texas running group, or do you have a favorite running route that is not listed here? Send me the info and I'll add it to the list.

For more reviews of running routes and other travel information, see Places I've Run.