Why New Jersey Is a Runner's Best-Kept Secret

Ask someone outside the state what they picture when they think of New Jersey, and running probably isn't it. But spend a few months pounding pavement here, and you'll understand why so many of us are obsessed.

The Terrain Has Range

New Jersey packs an absurd amount of variety into a small footprint. One weekend you're grinding up the rolling hills of Morris County, the next you're cruising flat along the Hudson River waterfront with Manhattan skyline views the whole way. Head south and the Pine Barrens offer soft trail running through quiet forest. Want a beach run? The Jersey Shore boardwalks stretch for miles. Few states let you switch up your training environment so easily without a long drive.

The Running Community Is Everywhere

Nearly every town of decent size has a run club, and they tend to be welcoming rather than cliquish. Group runs typically split into pace groups so newer runners and faster ones can all show up to the same meetup without anyone feeling out of place. Local running stores often anchor these communities, hosting weekly runs and serving as informal hubs for race information and gear advice.

Race Season Never Really Ends

Between spring road races, summer trail series, fall half marathons, and winter turkey trots, there's rarely a stretch of more than a few weeks without something to train for. Small towns frequently host their own signature races, which means plenty of low-key, community-driven events alongside the bigger regional ones.

Getting Started

If you're new to running in NJ, the easiest entry point is finding a local club or running store group run. Most are no-pressure and built around the idea that everyone starts somewhere. Show up once, and you'll likely find a pace group, a regular route, and a reason to keep coming back.

New Jersey may not have the running reputation of Boulder or Boston, but for those of us out here logging the miles, that's almost part of the appeal.