ROUTES
FOR EVERY
RUNNER
RUNNER JD DOTSON
SHARES ADVICE FOR
RUNNERS OF EVERY LEVEL
Story & Photos by JD Dotson
RUN ONE
New Albany waterfront provides a beautiful, easy route along the river,
starting at the amphitheater and heading east. There is free parking at
the end of Pearl Street and then a few steps up over the train tracks to the
amphitheater. You might as well climb up to the lookout and do your stretching
overlooking the river. There are plans to connect the route – eventually –
through Clarksville to Jeffersonville with the Ohio River Greenway Project.
But for now, a couple of miles of fairly flat path stretch along the banks and
flood wall. I turn around at two miles but am really looking forward to the
seven miles of bridges and paths that will connect the three cities of Southern
Indiana when the Greenway Project is completed. I run two miles down
about as far as I can go from the amphitheater then turn back.
For more information and to follow the progress of the Ohio River Greenway
Project go to ohiorivergreenway.org.
THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF BEAUTIFUL, SCENIC ROUTES
IN OUR AREA TO RUN ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER.
We are lucky to have paths that run along the Ohio River and park systems dotted throughout Southern
Indiana and Louisville. Whether you are looking for a light, easy jog, a challenging, hard run, or anything in
between, options abound.
Two of my favorite spots for exploration are Charlestown State Park and Floyds Fork, both offer multiple
trails and paths with varying degrees of difficulty.
While I love to explore new routes, there are some I repeat based on convenience and level of difficulty.
Whether I am looking for a quick warm-up run, a run that consistently challenges me as I walk out the
door from work, or a run that I dread full of challenges, I have repeated these three routes many times
over the years.
30 EXTOL SPORTS / JANUARY 2018