Have you noticed that nearly every Friday, an email magically arrives in your inbox noting a prescribed distance and a recommended route for the next day’s Indy Runners club run?
We know that running with the club isn’t always possible, so we mapped out four of of our favorites starting and finishing at the River House Apartments, 6311 Westfield Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46220:
THE MONON:
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/2926031149
The Monon Trail is now over 27 miles long, a little over a marathon, from Indianapolis north through Carmel and Westfield. From River House in Broad Ripple, head north to 75th Street (3mi), to 86th Street (6mi), 96th (8mi) or even up to 146th Street (18) round trip.
WILLIAM’S CREEK / PENN LOOP:
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/2926015297
This route is ideal for adding a couple miles of hills to your workout and will cover 8-8.5 miles. Run north on the Monon, turn left (west) on 86th Street, then left (south) on Pennsylvania just before you reach Meridian Street. Run on Penn until it Ts at Arden. Turn left (east) on Arden and run along the river until the road nearly dead-ends. Turn left (north) and then right (east) on 70th Street.
You can get back on the Monon near the Art Center at 67th Street or may choose to extend the route a bit and run south along College to Fresh Thyme Market.
This route can be run in either direction. If you’re looking for additional hills, you’ll find them around Washington & 70th.
Watch for cars along Penn and at intersections throughout the run.
BUTLER UNIVERSITY & TOWPATH LOOP:
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/2926026451
From River House, head south on the Monon to 52nd Street. Turn right (west) running on the sidewalk. Cross with the lights at College Avenue and again at Meridian Street before you reach the north side of Butler’s campus. Turn left (south) onto Boulevard Place. Hinkle Fieldhouse will be on your right. Stop in there or the Health & Recreation Complex (HRC) for a drink of water or a restroom.
Continue past the HRC, turning right (west) before the campus parking garage and pass through Holcomb Gardens. Cross the pedestrian bridge onto the crushed-limestone towpath. Turn right and head northeast. The towpath will bring you back to Broad Ripple.
This route is a total of 6.5 miles and may be shortened by continuing along 52nd Street directly to the towpath.
Near 52nd and the towpath, you’ll soon find the Indy Runners-sponsored drinking fountain.
DOWNTOWN LONG RUN: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/2926045174
Don’t let the name fool you. This 19-mile run, too, begins and ends at River House Apartments. Head south-ish on the towpath past Butler and Newfields/Indianapolis Museum of Art. At 30th Street, jog to your right and catch the light just past Riverside High School. Head south along White River Trail through Riverside Park and past the former Bush Stadium until you reach a large pedestrian bridge near 10th Street.
Cross the bridge and cross 10th Street at the light. Turn right (west) and run a couple blocks to the west side of the VA hospital. Turn left (south) before the bridge over White River and follow the path across New York and into White River State Park. From here, you can find your way onto the Canal Walk. Exit the Canal Walk at the USS Indianapolis Memorial and onto Walnut Street.
You’ll see the brown pavers of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. Follow the Cultural Trail past the library, south through American Legion Mall, west on North Street, along Mass Ave to 10th Street. Turn right on 10th and look for the Monon Trail on your left. Run on the Monon until you return to Broad Ripple.
