Great Runs in Columbus

Capital of the U.S. state of Ohio, Columbus is the 15th largest city in the United States. The geography of Columbus is defined by the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers just north-west of downtown, and several smaller tributaries that run through the Columbus metropolitan area including Alum Creek, Big Walnut creek, and Darby Creek. There’s a good running scene in Columbus. The highlights are the paths along the Scioto River, the 13-mile Olentangy Trail, and several parks.

Our complete Columbus running guide is on the Great Runs web site. Click on the routes below for full description, maps, and essentials.

Routes

Olentangy Trail. 13-mile trail is one of the most popular in Ohio. The northern terminus is in Whetstone.
Lower Scioto Greenway Trail. A popular route among runners in Columbus. Runs east-west along the Scioto River.
The Scioto Mile. Downtown section of ~10 mile Scioto River Trail.
Alum Creek Trail. 22 miles through southeastern Columbus, from Three Creeks Park in the south, to Westerville in the north.
German Village. Great neighborhood for running. Includes Schiller Park.
Ohio State University. The Oval is the centerpiece of running at OSU.
Third largest university campus in U.S. is a good running spot.
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. Extensive series of trails, combination of gentler and others more rugged and appropriate for trail running.
Highbanks Metro Park. 1,159-acre park, 17 miles north of Columbus. Several miles of trails in the northern section of the park are good for running.