Great Runs in Calgary
Calgary is a fast-growing city situated at the confluence of the Bow River and the Elbow River in the south of Alberta. It’s home to the second-highest number of corporate headquarters in Canada, with the oil and energy industries a major growth engine. Legendary Banff and Jasper National Parks are a couple of hours away by car.
Calgary has among the the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway networks in North America, especially for a city its size. There are boundless running opportunities on the 800 km of pathways that connect along the Bow and Elbow Rivers, Fish Creek Provincial Park, Nose Creek, West Nose Creek, the Western Irrigation District Canal and the perimeter of Glenmore Reservoir.
Calgary is one of Canada’s sunniest cities with just over 332 days of sun. Winters are cold but tolerable, with average highs close to freezing. Winter nights are cold and the days are short. “Chinook winds” can warm things up dramatically, even in winter. Summers are warm and sunny but not overly hot, with long days due to the northern latitude. Evenings are cool and even in July you might need an extra layer for that early morning run. The city receives an average of 16.5 in (418.8 mm) of precipitation annually. There is snow in the winter, but not nearly as much as Montreal or some of the snowier U.S. cities since the climate is fairly dry. But you will have to be prepared for snowy and icy surfaces for running in winter. With the sun and cool temperatures, Calgary’s climate make for great running weather.
Calgary Transit provides public transportation services throughout the city with buses and a light rail (LRT). If you’re staying within downtown, it is practical to use public transit to get around and access some great running. However, some of the wonderful running areas outside the city are best reached by car. The airport is about 14 miles north of the city.
Iconic Runs
- Glenmore Reservoir
- Bow and Elbow Rivers Pathways
- Fish Creek Provincial Park
- Nose Hill
- Marda Loop
Glenmore Reservoir
9.4 mile loop Start: Glenmore Landing Shopping Center MAP
3.9 mile loop Start: Glenmore Landing Shopping Center MAP
A loop around Glenmore Reservoir, 10 miles southwest of downtown, is one of Calgary’s classic runs. Parking is available at the Glenmore Landing shopping area. Along the route you can check out the Glenmore Sailing Club, the Calgary Canoe and Rowing Club, the Weaselhead Conservation area, and Heritage Park. The path also passes the Rocky View hospital and helicopter pad. For a post run snack, the Good Earth Cafe at Glenmore Landing is highly recommended. The long loop around the reservoir is 9.4 miles. A shorter option is 4 miles through the trails of South Glenmore Park.
Bow and Elbow Rivers Pathways
- Zoo Loop: 6.3 mile loop Start: Eau Claire Market MAP
- Prince Island Park: 3.2 mile loop Start: Eau Claire Market MAP
- Edworthy Park 4.9 mile loop. Start: Bike Path Parking (4112 Montgomery View) MAP
- Full interactive trail map
The pathways along the Bow and Elbow Rivers are the signature running opportunities near downtown. There is wonderful, open scenery, with views of the mountains on a clear day. Many runners start at Eau Claire market downtown and head east through St. Patrick’s Island and north around the Calgary Zoo and past the TELUS Science Centre, or west towards Edworthy Park. Another option is to head north and run in Prince’s Island Park. There are paths on both sides of the Bow River, and bridges across the river at regular intervals, so it’s easy to create your own loops! To see all the bike path information check out this interactive map, which even includes information on which trails are cleared of snow and ice!
Nose Hill
6.2 mile loop Start: Parking Lot off of 14St. MAP
Nose Hill Park, about 5 miles north of downtown and close to the airport, is great if you’re looking for a hill run! The paths are primarily dirt single and double track but the park is always adding to their trail system. Nose Hill Park contains one of the most significant examples of the grassland ecosystem left on the Canadian prairies. From the plateau, there are vistas including the Rocky Mountains, Bow River Valley and the vast plains to the east. Several parking lots N along 14 St and one at John Laurie and Brisbois Drive and one at Shaganappi Trail & Edgemont Boulevard.
Fish Creek Provincial Park
Fish Creek Provincial Park, 10 miles south of downtown Calgary, is the largest urban park in Canada, stretching 12 miles from east to west. The park features 50 miles of trails, of which 19 miles are paved. It is home to a large variety of natural wildlife, including deer, coyotes, owls, and beavers. Over 200 bird species have been seen in the park include great blue herons. The park is divided by the Macleod Trail. If you’re looking for a shaded run, run to the West of this road to enjoy the shade and protection from the forest. Alternatively, if you would rather have a prairie view, stay on the Eastside. The paved path runs from one end of the park to the other and mixed surface trails also meander in and out. All trails are clearly marked. Parking is available throughout the park and the LRT also stops within the park limits. This great park map includes lots of information on the trails, as well as distances between key points.
Marda Loop
4.65 mile loop Start: Corner of 26 Ave SW and 16 St SW MAP
Centered on 33rd and 34th Avenues SW between Crowchild Trail and 19th Street SW, Marda Loop is one of Calgary’s most popular outdoor shopping venues. Businesses consist of a vibrant collection of eclectic stores, restaurants and coffee houses. This is a great city run with lots of sights and good people watching. Begin on the corner of 26 Ave SW and 16 St SW and run south down 16 St SW until you reach 33 Ave SW. Turn right and follow that road until you get to 37th St SW (you’ll see AE Cross School on the corner). Take your final right turn onto 26 Ave SW and return to the start. There are numerous public transit options on this route. If you don’t want to look for parking, the light rail may be your best bet.
Further Afield
- Brag Creek
- Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park
- Canmore
- Banff Legacy Trail
Bragg Creek
Situated in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Bragg Creek is a charming hamlet retaining all the quaint character of the past. Bragg Creek Park is about 30 minutes west of downtown Calgary and is known as the gateway to Kananaskis Country. There’s an extensive trail network with many options. Some are focused on X-C skiing in winter.
A good intro run would be to park at Allen Bill Trailhead and run the Fullerton Loop (about 4 miles). Begin at Allen Bill and explore a small, pretty pond with picnic tables. At the first intersection on the trail keep to the left on Fullerton Loop. The second intersection is the start of the loop and at this junction there is a set of rough stairs cut into the hill. Keep to the right here and enjoy a long gradual ascent through the forest to the half-way point of the loop where you can view Moose Mountain and the group of mountains surrounding Banded Peak. The return trip skirts the edge of the ridge overlooking the Ranger Station and the Elbow Valley. If you have time after your run, check out the town center to appreciate the old log buildings, and unique shops and restaurants.
Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park
The Government of Alberta acquired 3,246 acres of ranch land from the Harvie Family northwest of Calgary (about 30 minutes) in August of 2006 to be developed as the Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. The park has over 15 miles of trails. They are a combination of asphalt and dirt are clearly marked and offer a variety of options for loop or out-and-back runs. While you run you are sure to enjoy gorgeous views of the snow-covered Rocky Mountains, the Calgary skyline, and an active ranch with cows and horses.
Canmore
Canmore (60 minutes from Calgary) is a mecca for everything outdoorsy, from mountain biking, bouldering, peak bagging, skiing and of course trail running. The pathways along the river running through Canmore is a good run to get a feel of the area. I recommend the Three Sisters Pathway. This 4 mile scenic route follows the Bow River downstream to Three Sisters Mountain Village, with great river and mountain views. From Minside Trailhead, the first 1 mile is gravel; the remaining 3 miles are paved. Canmore is half way between Calgary and Banff, and is a good spot to break up the drive and go for a run!
Rocky Mountain/Banff Legacy Trail
27 km, paved. Southern terminus at Alberta Visitors Center in Canmore.
MORE INFO
The Rocky Mountain/Banff Legacy Trail is a combination paved pathway and parkway paralleling the Trans Canada Highway, built in honor of Banff National Park’s 125th Anniversary. This is a gorgeous, relatively flat trail with fabulous views, popular with runners and cyclists. The southern terminus of the trail is at the Alberta Visitors’ Center in Canmore (one hour north of Calgary), and runs to the Banff Park east gate. Click here to access a a table with distances between key points.
A couple of notes: The trail is not maintained in winter, so please be careful of snow and ice. Also, there are several electrified mats along the trail, used to
Stay
Most hotels are located in downtown Calgary. This is a business-oriented zone with a neat historic pedestrian mall and great access to the light rail (LRT). Directly to the north of downtown on the shores of the Bow River, is Eau Claire. A mix of shopping, restaurants, hotels, a large public plaza and urban parkland make Eau Claire one of Calgary’s most popular areas. Downtown and most of the hotels downtown provide good easy access to the Bow and Elbow Rivers Pathways, as well as the Marda Loop routes.
Running Stores and Group Runs
Gord’s Running Store Crescent Heights. Locally owned running store.
Calgary Frontrunners Meets Saturdays 9am at YMCA Eau Claire.
The Running Room Various Locations. Group runs are hosted from all Running Room locations on Wednesday evenings (contact your local Running Room for further details) and Sundays at 8:30am.
MEC Calgary Sports Store
The Tech Shop Alberta’s original running and walking store, dating to 1975. Locations downtown and Calgary north.
Strides Running Store Marda Loop and Fish Creek Locations. Free group runs offered Wednesday evening and Saturday morning (see website for details).
Community
Calgary Road Runners Club Visitors are welcome to join group runs. Get in touch with the facilitators, to confirm timing and routes on specific dates.
Events
There are lots of great running events in Calgary!
Events Calendars #1. Events Calendar #2
Some of the major events are:
Calgary Marathon May. Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K.
Stampede Road Race July. Half Marathon, 10K and 5K.
Last Chance Half November.
St. Patrick’s Day Road Race March. 5K and 10K. Supports the Calgary Roadrunners and the Canadian Diabetes Association.
