Photo: The_Mad_Kiwi
Suit up for a new way of exploring your city of choice.
TRAVELERS who lament the often sedentary pace of visiting big cities find a solution in sightjogging, in which participants jog past famous sights with a trained guide who a) knows the route and b) knows his/her stuff.
Whether your goal is traveling green, dropping a pound or two, or just getting out there and seeing the world, a running tour is a good way to start (or end) your day on the road.
Let’s run down the benefits. City running tours:
- are more ecological and energetic than a double-decker bus tour
- are less ridiculous looking than a Segway tour
- require less balance than a bike tour
- and are quicker (and often more extensive) than a walking tour.
Traveling Greener reports that London-based City Jogging Tours hosts six different themed tours for locals and visitors. Participants can choose from iconic, riverside, royal, scenic, heathside, and maritime London. London Sightseeing Runs also operates in the city.
Beyond the UK, check out Global Running Tours for its affiliate list, which currently includes 17 countries where you can lace up your runners and hoof it double (or triple) time through the sights.
Photo: Ed Yourdon
Companies are listed in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, and the United States. Peru’s Inca Runners even offers runs at altitude in and around Cuzco.
In the U.S., City Running Tours works in Austin, Charleston, Chicago, NYC, and DC, and will tailor tours to fitness level, training regimen, and desired landmarks.
There’s just one caveat to sightjogging: it may not be particularly friendly to photography. You should certainly opt for your point-and-shoot, especially if you want your DSLR to live another day.
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If you are ever in Chicago, Fleet Feet offers great runs that tour historical areas (3-5 miles) for free on the weekends. They are a great way to get out of the Loop and really see the neighborhoods of the city! You can check on their website for the schedule. http://www.fleetfeetchicago.com/
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Indeed. Thanks for turning me onto this. I’ll talk to the guys who run it in Austin.
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Thanks so much for mentioning TravelingGreener.com in your story. “Sightjogging” is definitely an interesting new take on the traditional sightseeing tour.
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You bet! Glad to see you popping in!
Fleet Feet in Washington, DC (my own stomping grounds) also does a free weekly fun run, http://www.fleetfeetdc.com/content/view/29/57/
Anyone else have any tips?
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Love it! I’ve always enjoyed combining city exploration with my daily run. I’m headed to Santiago in a few weeks and am disappointed that it’s not on the list.
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Great idea! If you meet up with a local running club it’s also a great way to meet some residents. Good way to stay healthy during your travels.
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Here in London City Jogging Tours offers a great alternative to the traditional bus or walking tours. You don’t need to be super fit to take part – tours cater for all abilities and it’s definitely a much ‘greener’ way to see the City!
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