Great Runs in Mexico City
Mexico City is the capital of Mexico. As an “alpha” global city, Mexico City is one of the most important financial centers in the Americas. Colonia Centro is the business, banking, and historic center of Mexico City. Within Colonia Centro, is Centro Histórico. Here you’ll find historic landmarks, important public buildings, the partially unearthed Aztec ruins of the Great Temple, and numerous museums. Within Colonio Centro is Chapultepec Forest (Bosque de Chapultepec) — is Mexico City’s largest oasis and one of its running highlights. It is divided into three sections, and home to forests, lakes and several important sights and attractions. In between Colonia Centro and Chapultepec Forest lies Zona Rosa, which is one of the city’s most touristy areas. South of Zona Rose lie the Roma and Condesa neighborhoods. These bohemian neighborhoods feature the city’s hippest cafes and bars, from cutting-edge restaurants to offbeat shops, art galleries, and nightclubs.
Other running highlights in Mexico city are the Coyoacan and San Angel neighborhoods. Not far from the city, El Ocotal, Cuemanc, Bosque de Tlalpan, and Forest of Aragon are worthy running destinations.
There are two obstacles when running in Mexico City: altitude and pollution. Located at an altitude of 7,350 ft in the Valley of Mexico (a large valley in the high plateaus at the center of Mexico), it is important to allow yourself to become acclimated to the elevation before pushing yourself. Pollution is also a reality in Mexico City. Try planning your runs in the morning or the evening, and the air quality will be better.
**Big thanks to Go! Running Tours for their help outlining the best running routes in Mexico City**.
Mexico City is huge but there are various forms of public transit to help you get around. The quickest form of transportation is the metro system, consisting of 12 lines with 195 stations. All lines operate from 5am to midnight weekdays, 6am to midnight Saturday and 7am to midnight Sunday and holidays. Peseros (also called microbúses or combis) are gray-and-green minibuses operated by private firms. They follow fixed routes, often starting or ending at metro stations, and will stop at virtually any street corner. Route information is randomly displayed on cards attached to the windshield. The city’s bus rapid transit line is the Metrobús. The metrobús stops at metro-style stations in the middle of the street, spaced at three- to four-block intervals. Buses and peseros operate from around 5am till 10pm daily, depending on the route. Electric trolleybuses generally run until 11:30pm.
Mexico City enjoys mild, pleasant weather (great for running) year round. It’s climate is classified as subtropical highland due to its tropical location and high elevation. The average high is between 70 an 85 (21 to 28 12 to °C) throughout the year. Nights can be cool, as low as 5C in thw winter months. October through May is the city’s dry season, and from June through September is considered the “rainy season”. During the summer months it rains on average once a day, though the rain rarely lasts longer than a few hours. Due to the city’s location near the equator, there is not great variation in daylight length.
Iconic Runs
- Chapultepec Forest (Bosque de Chapultepec)
- Historic Downtown
- Coyoacan
- San Angel
Chapultepec Forest (Bosque de Chapultepec)
Museum Loop: 3.6 mile loop Start: Auditorio Metro Station MAP
“Bosque de Chapultepec” (Chapultepec Forest) in Mexico City, is the largest city park in the Western Hemisphere and is often referred to as Mexico City’s lungs. Centered on a rock formation called Chapultepec Hill, the park offers immense space for recreation as well as houses many monuments, historic sites and cultural venues.
Our 3.6 mile loop coverage a good part of the park. Begin your run at the Auditorio Metro Station, run down Paseo de la Reforma (Reforma Avenue) and enter the park by taking a right onto Av. Grutas. Enjoy the mature gardens with large trees along with the monuments as you follow the trail through the park. Cross over Paseo de la Reforma and loop around the Museo Rufino Tamayo (contemporary art museum). After you pass the Museo Nacional de Antropologia (world-famous National Museum of Anthropology), you will reach the Paseo de la Reforma and can return to the start. If you’re not too sweaty, it is highly recommended you check out either of the Museums you just passed!
El Sope 5km loop
If you can’t get enough of the Chapultepec, there are more sections to explore. Named after its ovoid shape, “El Sope” is often pronounced one of the best places to run my local runners. Here you will find two tracks of varying distances for runners to choose from (the 5km outlined above). Both are well lit making it an ideal place to run early in the morning or late in the evening.
Minor Lake 3.15 mile loop MAP
Yet another beautiful part of Chapultepec Park is Minor Lake. The surface is pavement and the route is flat. It is undoubtedly one of the routes most loved by runners of the city. Enjoy the wooded area with privileged views of the western part of the metropolis, as well as a few spaces with expanses of water just for the enjoyment of all.
Historic Downtown
6.25 mile loop Start: Zócalo Metro Station MAP
**Note best to time this run on a Sunday morning when Reforma Avenue is closed to traffic until mid-day.
What better way to experience the landmarks of Mexico City than on a run? This route takes you past impressive and unique architecture and exposes some amazing culture and history.
Begin your run in Zócalo, the heart of Mexico City. This main square houses the Cathedral Metropolitana, (the oldest and largest cathedral in Latin America), the Palacio National, and the Plaza de la Constitución. The Palacio National, the seat of Mexico’s national executive, stands on the location from where rulers of Mexico from the times of the Aztecs wielded power. Go into the Plaza de la Constitucion (the venue of every important Mexican event from the times of the Aztecs), and explore the Zocalo Market marked by its many colorful umbrellas.
Exit the Square on Av Francisco I. Madero then turn right down Condesa. On your right, you will see an ornate structure called the Casa de Azulejos or The House of Tiles with a unique facade of blue and white tiles. Follow Condesa until you get to Calle de Tacuba where you will see Plaza Manuel Tolsa with an equestrian sculpture of Charles IV of Spain, known as El Caballito. Take a moment to appreciate the beautiful architecture of buildings in this square like Mining Palace, National Museum of Art, and the Post Office (Palacio Postal).
Take a left on Calle de Tacuba (going away from the square) to Alameda Central Park. Enjoy the shade of the poplar trees, Alamo in Spanish, that the park was named after. At the end of the park, you will reach Reforma Avenue, an ancient road modeled after the Champs- Elysees in Paris. Currently, this road is lined with impressive corporate offices and is the financial center of Mexico. On this road you will find a grand monument to Christopher Columbus, El Ángel de la Independencia and the Huntress Diana Fountain, respectively. The El Ángel de la Independencia (the Angel of Independence) serves as a monument of the 100th year of Mexican Independence and as a memorial for its heroes. Turn around as you’re admiring the Huntress Diana Fountain (Fuente de la Diana Cazadora).
Exit Reforma Avenue on Calle Morelos and continue until you reach Lázaro Cárdenas near the Metro San Juan de Letrán Station. At this corner is the Mercado de Artesanias San Juan, an artisans market featuring many original and traditional handicrafts. Take a left, to run past the Torre Latinoamericana. This monument in Mexico City is a member of the World federation of Great Towers and one of the finest examples of construction engineering in the world. Continue on this road until you see the main opera house of Mexico City, the Palacio De Bellas Artes. From here, continue down Avenue Cinco de Mayo to return to the starting point.
Coyoacán
3.0 mile Start: Viveros Coyoacán / End: Frida Kahlo Museum MAP
Coyoacán, named for the coyotes that once roamed around this former village, is located south of Colonia Centro. This quaint neighborhood is known for its cobblestone and bohemian flavor.
Begin in Viveros Coyoacán for a 1.4 mile loop ideal for enjoying nature. Next, take Francisco Sosa to sneak a look into the Jesus Reyes Heroles Cultural Center and admire the beautiful facades of elegant homes. Jog through the ancient archway and pass the fountain of the coyotes on your way to El Parnaso one of the oldest bookstores and cultural hangouts of this neighborhood. Take a left to follow the perimeter of Jardin Centenario then a quick right to admire the grand church Templo de San Juan Bautista. Explore the Plaza Hidalgo with its ornate bandstand. Continue turning left onto Ignacio Allende until you get to the historic home of Frida Kahlo. This Blue House is the world renowned Frida Kahlo Museum. End your run here and explore the museum!
San Angel
5.13 mile loop. Start: Miguel Angel de Quevedo Metro Station MAP
Another great neighborhood south of the city center is San Angel. Once a weekend retreat for Spanish nobles, it’s a stunningly beautiful neighborhood of cobblestone streets, Colonial-Era homes, as well as several worthwhile museums. Mexico City’s Secretary of Tourism recently named the San Angel neighborhood a Barrio Magico (Magic Neighborhood).
Begin at the Miguel Angel de Quevedo Metro Station, and head north (towards the traffic circle). Take a left turn on Arenal, up to the Jardin de La Bombilla and the Monumento al General Alvaro Obregon. Continue on Avenida de la Paz, known for its numerous of trendy eateries. This will cross Avenida Revolución where you could take a left and enter the Museo del Carmen, a former monastery that boasts an exquisite gilded altarpiece in the first-floor chapel, if you need a break.
If not, continue on Amargura street until you can take a left to the Plaza de San Jacinto. In this part of town there are numerous attractions, including a magnificent baroque fountain made of broken pieces of porcelain at the Centro Cultural Isidro Fabela, better known as the Casa del Risco (Plaza San Jacinto 15), the ethereal Iglesia San Jacinto, a 16th-century church with an exquisite baroque altar, and most importantly the Plaza San Jacinto. If you time your run on a Saturday, you must stop to check out the renowned Bazar del Sábado (Saturday Bazaar) in this Plaza. It is full of artistic and antique treasures and surrounded by excellent restaurants and cantinas
Finally, head south on Arteaga towards the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) Campus. Visit the 1968 Olympic Stadium (Estadio Olimpico Universitario) and admire the Diego Rivera mural, located in the adjoining part with Insurgentes Sur, entitled “The University Family and sport in Mexico”. Continue to the Central Library (UNAM Biblioteca Central) of UNAM, to appreciate the iconic murals by Juan O’Gorman. Finally, continue to Avenida Universidad to return to the Metro Station.
Further Afield
- El Ocotal
- Cuemanco
- Bosque de Tlalpan
- Forest of Aragon
El Ocotal
El Ocotal is a forest in the Cuajimalpa delegation in Mexico City with trails for trail running or hiking. Just 30 minutes from the center of Mexico City, the best time to visit El Ocotal is on the weekends, when it is bustling with runners and walkers who want to escape to nature. Ocotal means “ocotes strewn ground” and showcases native tree species such as fir, ash and pine. There is one running circuit of about 2.15 miles. There is not parking available here, but you can park the car on the narrow street that provides access and in some farms that operate as public parking.
Cuemanco
5K loop MAP. Reachable by public transport
Canal Cuemanco, in the eastern part of the city, was the venue for rowing competitions in the 1968 olympic games. A paved 5K path around the canal makes for a great place to run away from Colonia Centro. This route has spectacular views of the Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanoes to the east, the Ajusco Southwest and channels of Xochimilco front. Also enjoy gazing at schools of fish, large wading birds, and be ready to jog around a cow or two on the west side. If you make the trip out for the run be sure to also check out the floating gardens of Xochimilco.
Bosque de Tlalpan
Forest of Tlalpan is perhaps one of the best known by runners, athletes, and nature lovers who live south of Mexico City. Five different running tracks, and lots of natural beauty make this forest one of the favorite places for exercise. A favorite route is the 4 km Track 4, shown in red. On this paved and marked path, you will pass through the zoo, by playgrounds and various kiosks and cabins where you can rest and eat or drink. To get there via public transit use the Metrobus Olympic Village. Note the park is only open 5am to 5pm.
Forest of Aragon
The Bosque de Aragón is a park located in the Gustavo A. Madero, near the International Airport of Mexico City. There are two routes in the park. The first, is a 2.5 km paved path surrounding a fountain. The second (shown on map) is a 5 km dirt path around the perimeter of the park. To get to the park, use the Metro or drive. Parking is available at a cost.
Stay
There are numerous options for lodging in Mexico City. Some of the most reasonable places are in the Centro Histórico, while more luxurious accommodations, are concentrated in Polanco and the Zona Rosa. Staying in Centro Histórico and Zona Rosa provides access to the Historic Downtown route from your front door. Similarly, staying in Polanco (bordering Chapultepec Forest), has easy access to running routes in the forest. South of Zona Rose lie the Roma and Condesa neighborhoods. These bohemian neighborhoods feature the city’s hippest cafes and bars, from cutting-edge restaurants to offbeat shops, art galleries, and nightclubs. Condesa is close to the Chapultepec Forest routes, whereas routes from Roma are accessible through Metro transportation.
Running Stores and Group Runs
There aren’t as many specialty running shops in Mexico City as in some other cities.
Stores
Todos a Correr Anzures and Santa Fe Locations. Specialty Run Store. Group Run Saturday 8:00am from the Anzures Store.
Trailsport Carries a wide variety of specialty items for running, triathlon and cycling.
The Triathlon Store Triathlon specialty store
Marti Sporting goods store
Run Groups and Clubs
Minimuri Location varies. Running club with free trainings.
Total Running Location varies. Running club with free trainings.
Go! Running Tours Paid running tours of Mexico City. **Big thanks for their help outlining the best running routes in Mexico City**
Events
Check out the running events in Mexico City.
Events Calendars.
Some of the major events are:
Mexico City Marathon August.
Mexico City Half Marathon July.
Rock ’n’ Half Marathon March.
Nike Women Victory Tour April. Half Marathon
