Boston Running Guide
Boston is home to one of the most iconic marathons in the world and fosters a thriving running community. Boston’s runners are some of the toughest out there, braving harsh, icy winters and hot humid summers. The running community truly lives and breathes its motto: #BostonStrong.
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The Charles
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Distance 4.6 mi
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Elevation 99 ft
For a classic Boston running experience, the Charles River is a must. The tree-lined, paved paths on both the Cambridge and Boston sides see heavy running traffic at all times of day, all year round. You will also find dirt paths adjacent to the main paved route in many places along the way. Our route loops around the BU Bridge and the Longfellow Bridge but you can vary the distance by turning around at any of the bridges between Boston and Watertown. Enjoy views of the city skyline and boats on the river as you cruise past BU and MIT.
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Middlesex Fells
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Distance 7.4 mi
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Elevation 1,064 ft
Middlesex Fells Reservation, or "the Fells", offers a true trail running experience just minutes north of downtown. We suggest taking the hilly, technical, single-track Skyline trail but there are many other options including the lower Reservoir Trail. Even if you've run here before it is smart to bring a good trail map on your run as even experienced Fells runners get lost on this complicated trail network.
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Fresh Pond
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Distance 2.4 mi
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Elevation 32 ft
Fresh Pond Reservation offers a natural oasis away from the bustle of the city. The 2.5-mile shaded path hugs the pond and varies between paved and dirt surfaces. This flat loop is a great place for interval workouts and an easy escape from running on the street.
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Jamaica Pond
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Distance 3.3 mi
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Elevation 128 ft
A popular place for an outdoor workout, Jamaica Pond is the jewel of Olmsted's Emerald Necklace. Locals enjoy running the shaded paved path around the pond. The 1.5-mile loop around Jamaica Pond is flat and makes for a perfect speed workout.
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Emerald Necklace
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Distance 11.0 mi
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Elevation 321 ft
The Emerald Necklace is a chain of nine parks that offers runners a chance to run completely through green spaces in the middle of the city. Famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead designed this linear park system, stretching from Boston Common to Franklin Park. The Emerald Necklace is a great place for a run as it offers a variety of terrain and scenery. You can also connect a run here to the Charles Esplanade, the Fens running track, or the hills at the arboretum. Our route starts at the Back Bay Fens; from here you will follow a mix of paved and dirt pathways along the Muddy River all the way to the Arnold Arboretum. Don't miss the big hill in the Arboretum on this otherwise flat route. If you want to extend the run you can continue into Franklin Park. There are several street crossings on this route so proceed with caution.
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Chestnut Hill Reservoir & Heartbreak Hill
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Distance 6.5 mi
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Elevation 276 ft
This route gives you two Boston favorites in one: a lap of the flat, 1.5-mile, dirt path around pretty Chestnut Hill Reservoir and a hilly out and back on Commonwealth Avenue along the Boston Marathon course. This section of Commonwealth is the hilliest part of the marathon featuring the legendary Heartbreak Hill. What better place to do your marathon training? We like to run on the “Carriage Road” which runs right alongside the main Commonwealth Avenue to avoid most of the traffic. The reservoir is a great place for speed work on the soft surface of the dirt path with cooling breezes coming off the water and views of the Boston skyline in the distance. It is especially popular with students from the nearby Boston College.
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The Common
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Distance 3.0 mi
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Elevation 77 ft
For the most historic landmarks in a short run, look no further than the Boston Common. You'll loop around the Common and the Public Garden and then down along the tree-lined Commonwealth Avenue Mall. This route is wonderfully shaded in the hot days of summer, but probably not great for a fast workout due to all the tourists and several street crossings. As you run take in the sights of the oldest city park in the country such as the Frog Pond and the Swan Boats at the Lagoon in the Public Garden. The final stretch of our run brings you up Beacon Street Hill in front of the State House before finishing along the Freedom Trail.
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Blue Hills Reservation
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Distance 5.8 mi
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Elevation 490 ft
Just ten miles outside of Boston, tranquility can be found at the beautiful Blue Hills Reservation. Get your shoes dirty on the trails that traverse both marshlands and 600-foot tall rocky hills. This rolling hilly route follows the white triangle trail or the “Forest Path Loop”, just one loop of the 125 miles of trails at Blue Hills. The trails here are well marked and shared with mountain bikers. Venture on to any of the other countless trails to add more climbing if you like. Take a short detour on the Skyline Trail to crest the top of one of the big hills for sweeping views of the Boston area. If it’s a warm summer day, take a dip in the pond after your run to cool off.
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Battle Road Trail
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Distance 9.4 mi
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Elevation 413 ft
Travel back in time to the Revolutionary War as you run the Battle Road Trail from Lexington to Concord. This packed gravel trail is part of the Minute Man National Historic Park, which preserves the sites that saw the beginning of the Revolutionary War. You will follow the route the British army took as they retreated from the Colonists. Pay attention for historic markers along the way including the spot where Paul Revere was captured, as you wind down the wooded, gently rolling path. Our out and back route starts from the parking lot at the eastern end of the trail, conveniently located just off of I-95.
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Castle Island
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Distance 5.2 mi
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Elevation 60 ft
Enjoy ocean views and sea breezes as you cruise on this car-free, paved route along the South Boston shoreline. Take a lap around Pleasure Bay and Castle Island, where you'll have amazing views of Boston Harbor from the backside of Fort Independence. Then add on an out and back along the Boston HarborWalk waterfront pathway down to Carson Beach.
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BU Longfellow
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Distance 5.0 mi
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Elevation 79 ft
BU Longfellow is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 79ft over 5.06mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Longfellow Bridge, Dr. Paul Dudley White Path, and Main Street.
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New Longfellow
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Distance 2.9 mi
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Elevation 47 ft
New Longfellow is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 47ft over 2.99mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Longfellow Bridge, Cambridge Street, Land Boulevard, Dr. Paul Dudley White Path, and Main Street.
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Tracksmith Summer 5k
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Distance 3.7 mi
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Elevation 46 ft
Tracksmith Summer 5k is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 46ft over 3.73mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Dr. Paul Dudley White Path.
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Charles River in Boston
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Distance 4.0 mi
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Elevation 59 ft
Charles River in Boston is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 59ft over 4.08mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Dr. Paul Dudley White Path, MA 2, and Memorial Drive.
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BAA 5k with
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Distance 3.2 mi
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Elevation 23 ft
BAA 5k with is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 23ft over 3.23mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: MA 2, Charles Street, Hereford Street, Charlesgate West, and Charles Street South.
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Tracksmith Long
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Distance 9.6 mi
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Elevation 130 ft
Tracksmith Long is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 130ft over 9.68mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Cambridge Parkway Bike Path, Dr. Paul Dudley White Path, Memorial Drive, Industrial Park Road, and Land Boulevard.
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2018 BAA 10K
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Distance 6.2 mi
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Elevation 66 ft
2018 BAA 10K is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 66ft over 6.27mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Bay State Road, MA 2, Charles Street, Charlesgate East, and Beacon Street.
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southie run
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Distance 1.8 mi
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Elevation 12 ft
southie run is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 12ft over 1.86mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Boston HarborWalk.
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Charles River Loop - Harvard Sq
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Distance 2.2 mi
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Elevation 21 ft
Charles River Loop - Harvard Sq is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 21ft over 2.28mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Dr. Paul Dudley White Path, Eliot Bridge, US 3;MA 2, Weeks Footbridge, and Memorial Drive.
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Boston Road
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Distance 5.6 mi
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Elevation 78 ft
Boston Road is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 78ft over 5.67mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Massachusetts Avenue, John F. Kennedy Street, North Harvard Street, and Dr. Paul Dudley White Path.
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Mob mile
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Distance 3.5 mi
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Elevation 0 ft
Mob mile is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 0ft over 3.51mi.
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Tracksmith LR
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Distance 13.7 mi
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Elevation 167 ft
Tracksmith LR is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 167ft over 13.75mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Greenough Boulevard, Dr. Paul Dudley White Path, Nonantum Road, Gerry's Landing Road, and Memorial Drive.
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Boston Run to Remember Half
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Distance 11.0 mi
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Elevation 131 ft
Boston Run to Remember Half is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 131ft over 11.06mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Memorial Drive, Beacon Street, Merrimac Street, New Chardon Street, and Boylston Street.
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Jim Kane
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Distance 2.0 mi
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Elevation 0 ft
Jim Kane is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 0ft over 2.01mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: William Day Boulevard and Boston HarborWalk.
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Harpoon Miler
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Distance 5.0 mi
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Elevation 93 ft
Harpoon Miler is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 93ft over 5.05mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Black Falcon Avenue, Drydock Avenue, Boston HarborWalk, Shore Road, and Summer Street.
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JFK library
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Distance 3.1 mi
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Elevation 54 ft
JFK library is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 54ft over 3.14mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: William T. Morrissey Boulevard, Boston HarborWalk, and William Day Boulevard.
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along the Charles River
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Distance 3.5 mi
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Elevation 40 ft
along the Charles River is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 40ft over 3.59mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Dr. Paul Dudley White Path and Memorial Drive.
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Pleasure Bay
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Distance 4.4 mi
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Elevation 111 ft
Pleasure Bay is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 111ft over 4.46mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Shore Road, Boston HarborWalk, William Day Boulevard, Summer Street, and East First Street.
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Cambridge Spring Classic
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Distance 3.1 mi
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Elevation 7 ft
Cambridge Spring Classic is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 7ft over 3.17mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Massachusetts Avenue, Sidney Street, Mount Auburn Street, Albany Street, and Brookline Street.
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Crossing the Charles River
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Distance 9.3 mi
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Elevation 94 ft
Crossing the Charles River is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 94ft over 9.35mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Arsenal Street, Western Avenue, and Dr. Paul Dudley White Path.
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Cambridge - Super Sunday mile
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Distance 4.6 mi
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Elevation 63 ft
Cambridge - Super Sunday mile is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 63ft over 4.62mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Cambridge Street, First Street, Rogers Street, Athenaeum Street, and Quincy Street.
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Tracksmith
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Distance 5.6 mi
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Elevation 84 ft
Tracksmith is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 84ft over 5.65mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Cambridge Parkway Bike Path and Dr. Paul Dudley White Path.
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Fenspeed
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Distance 2.7 mi
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Elevation 0 ft
Fenspeed is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 0ft over 2.74mi.
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Fenway
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Distance 3.1 mi
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Elevation 35 ft
Fenway is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 35ft over 3.18mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Boylston Street, Fenway, and Lost Emerald Necklace.
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half on the half
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Distance 13.0 mi
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Elevation 529 ft
half on the half is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 529ft over 13.08mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill Avenue, Grafton Street, Centre Street, and Beacon Street.
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Cambridge Oktoberfest
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Distance 3.1 mi
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Elevation 7 ft
Cambridge Oktoberfest is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 7ft over 3.16mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Broadway, Binney Street, Galileo Galilei Way, Main Street, and First Street.
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Emerald Necklace
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Distance 7.6 mi
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Elevation 144 ft
Emerald Necklace is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 144ft over 7.65mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Muddy River Bikepath, Riverdale Parkway Bikepath, Emerald Necklace Ped/Bike Path, Park Drive, and Riverdale Parkway Rotary.
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ML6K
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Distance 6.5 mi
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Elevation 64 ft
ML6K is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 64ft over 6.58mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Boston HarborWalk.
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Rare Disease Day
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Distance 4.5 mi
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Elevation 169 ft
Rare Disease Day is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 169ft over 4.51mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Tremont Street and Boylston Street.
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Cambridge Summer
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Distance 3.0 mi
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Elevation 7 ft
Cambridge Summer is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 7ft over 3.05mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Pacific Street, Franklin Street, Valentine Street, Henry Street, and River Street.
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SEAC Hills
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Distance 4.9 mi
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Elevation 203 ft
SEAC Hills is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 203ft over 4.94mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Tremont Street, Boylston Street, and Charles Street South.
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Midnight Runners
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Distance 4.2 mi
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Elevation 52 ft
Midnight Runners is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 52ft over 4.27mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Cambridge Parkway Bike Path, Industrial Park Road, Cambridge Parkway, Dr. Paul Dudley White Path, and Arthur Fiedler Footbridge.
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Boston Tri Run
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Distance 6.4 mi
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Elevation 32 ft
Boston Tri Run is a running route in Boston. It features an elevation gain of 32ft over 6.41mi. Notable roads/trails that you'll be traveling on: Babe Ruth Park Drive, Columbia Road, Old Colony Avenue, and William Day Boulevard.
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