Running is a fun and free way to get some good exercise and time outdoors. I’m always looking for a new running spot, especially now since it’s an excuse to go somewhere new during quarantine. I know many others are on the lookout for spots as well. I interviewed Maya Tatel-Mcmillen, who is currently on the Tandem cross country team, about some of her favorite running spots within and near Charlottesville. “The best spot for you depends on what type and length of run you want to go on,” Maya said before telling me about some of her favorite trails and roads to run on.
“A really good longer run is Ridge Road,” Maya said. Ridge Road is about a twenty-four minute drive from CHS. This is Maya’s favorite place to run. She goes there two or three times a week when she doesn’t have cross country practice. You can run for about eight miles on Ridge Road. It has a great view of the mountains and farms with animals like cows and horses. “It’s really pretty and peaceful” Maya said “and It’s a large running spot so there’s always other people around so it’s not like a creepy country road by yourself or anything.”
Another great run about twenty-four minutes away from CHS is Jarmans Gap Road. The spot is next to Chili’s Peach Orchard, out in the country. It’s a very challenging and interesting run. You go about three miles up a steep hill and then three miles down. You can also go onto the Appalachian Trail from Jarmans Gap Road, which is pretty cool.
If you want to run somewhere in town and closer to CHS, two great trails are the Rivanna Parkway and the John Warner Parkway behind CHS. There’s 20 or more miles of the Rivanna Parkway and you can get to it right from our school. I frequently run on the Rivanna river trail and it’s probably my favorite running spot.
Some of the access points for the Rivanna Trail include Riverview Park at the eastern end of Chesapeake Street; Azalea Park off Old Lynchburg Road; Jordan Park at 1607 6th Street SE; and Quarry Park at 427 Quarry Road. I usually park at Riverview Park at the eastern end of Chesapeake street and run to the left (heading in the direction of the Rivanna River Company and Free Bridge). The trail on that side of the river is paved so I often see bikers in addition to other runners. It’s a scenic and generally pretty chill run although it does have a couple of hills. It’s nice to run with the view of the river and surrounding nature. If you cross Free Bridge to the other side of the river, there’s another path also available for runs or walks. This path is not paved and it’s a little more hilly and challenging but still not too hard. The path is less wide on this side so I would definitely bring a mask, because it’s pretty unavoidable to have to cross paths with someone else on the trail headed in the opposite direction.
The Monticello Trail is also a great option in Charlottesville. It’s approximately a 14 minute drive from CHS. The trail is a mix of dirt paths, gravel paths, and wooden ramps. It’s very scenic with views of lakes, mountains, and woods throughout the trail.
Charlottesville is a great town to live in for runners with so many different, special trails and parkways to run along. See you out there, CHS!