Spice Up Your Typical Running Route With These 7 Variations

From out-and-back challenges to artistic ventures, explore the most common types of running routes that will ignite your passion.

There is nothing wrong with having your favorite running route—you can run it mindlessly and you already know the distance, so you shouldn’t encounter any surprises. But there are even better reasons to mix up your running route planning. New routes will boost your motivation, bring a new wave of inspiration, and help you avoid burnout. What’s not to love?

So with that, let’s spice up your running and discuss some of the most common types of running routes that you can do almost anywhere.

Out and Back

Choose a great starting and end point. While your home may be the most convenient spot, riding your bike or driving to a different starting point may be a whole lot more exciting.

While there is nothing wrong with running even splits for your out and back, to mix it up, maybe challenge yourself to run the return route faster (or whatever other challenge you’d like to tackle). Increasing your turnover/speed will bring more of a challenge to the experience. Think “what goes up, must come down,” and as you make the turnaround, lean more forward in your running with a mindset of finishing strong.

Lollipop

This route is an intersection where a loop meets an out-and-back. If you’re not a fan of turning on your heel and running straight back, choose a route with a little loop at the end of it. It can be a detour to a convenience store for a sports drink, a fountain, or simply a place that speaks to you.

Figure Eight or Four-Leaf Clover

These routes involve running four loops or out-and-backs, all returning to the same starting point. Home would be an excellent base for this one, giving you the opportunity to get a sip of a drink or use the bathroom before going back out.

This particular option may be great for a day where you’re less focused on your mileage or pace, and lean more into the pretty drawing your route will create once you finish. Have you ever seen runners uploading completed runs depicting all kinds of amazing pictures? Get artistic starting with this route, who knows where it will take you next!

Running Every Street in Your Neighborhood

Determine an approximate area or neighborhood you’d like to cover, and then try to run every street within. This style will really help keep your mind engaged as you plot how to get to the street or alley you have not run yet.

Rolling Hills

Hills pay the bills, baby! Sticking with hills is the best race currency, so for this one, choose a route that is as hilly as it is flat-ish.

Chart a course that will include hills along the way. This includes both uphills and downhills with winding roads along some flat terrain. Lean into the uphill and crest the hill standing tall, then settle back into any flat, followed by running downhill with control. Allow gravity to take over some of the control. I wasn’t always a fan of this type of route, but after maturing and seeing the positive impact of hill training during my races, it’s now my favorite type. Respect and welcome hill training.

Set Up a Rule

Before you head out the door, think of a rule for your run: It could be turning left whenever you see a red light, or maybe turning right every time a car of a certain color passes by you. The goal is to have fun with it.

Loop +Turned Into a Tour

This one is as great to put to use in your neighborhood or city as it is while you’re visiting a new place. Plot some stops worth seeing or visiting as you do a full roundabout.

Using software like Garmin Connect, Coros, MapMyFitness, Runkeeper, or Strava, you can simply input the goal distance and direction (N, S, E, W), and these technologies will return you a route in seconds. Make sure to double-check the routes go through parts of town where you feel safe running and preferably away from busy traffic. There is usually a toggle heatmap feature that will follow routes frequented by others.

Now for the fun part, pick your milestones when you’re in a new location: From murals, historic markers, convenience stores, and restaurants to a popular park, outdoor area, and entertainment or theater district, there are many ways to add life to this loop option. Have fun with it!