On the Run
City Running Tours offers great way for residents, tourists to learn about Boston
The MIT Charles River Run starts at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday and teaches runners about Boston and Cambridge. Photo courtesy of City Running Tours
Looking for a fun way to get to know Boston? City Running Tours’ State House Brownstone Run is the perfect way to sightsee while getting a little exercise for good measure.
Several guides (usually one for every six runners on the tour) will lead you on a 3.2-mile tour of the streets of Beacon Hill, where you will learn about the neighborhood’s role in both history and pop culture. Running over the cobblestones and under the gaslights of one of Boston’s most historic neighborhoods is enchanting, especially on a summer night. Plus, runners of all levels will be able to keep up with the easy pace and frequent designated stops. The tour starts every Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. and is a great way to meet new people and loosen up after a long day of work.
And, if you’ve had enough of Boston, City Running Tours also sponsors an MIT Charles River Run on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. This tour takes runners on a 3.2-mile route through the Public Garden, over the Longfellow Bridge, and along the Charles River in Cambridge, with spectacular views of the Boston skyline and parts of the MIT campus.
City Running Tours offers guided runs in 14 other US cities, including New York City, Chicago, and Philadelphia. While the company was originally founded to give running enthusiasts a fun way to tour new cities when they travel, the State House Brownstone Run and the MIT Charles River Run are the perfect way for native Bostonians to get reacquainted with the Hub (and burn enough calories to earn a well-deserved cone at J.P. Licks afterwards).
For those interested in longer runs, there are also five 10K guided routes—still at a relaxed pace—that offer various combinations of the highlights of Boston, or Boston and Cambridge, sights. Should you anticipate working up a thirst, the Seaport Beer Run caps off the 6.2-mile tour with a visit to the Harpoon Brewery.
So, lace up your sneakers, stretch your legs, and go for a jog with the best running partner of all—the city of Boston.
City Running Tours’ State House Brownstone Run begins at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Marathon Sports, 671 Boylston Street, Boston. The MIT Charles River Run begins at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday, also at Marathon Sports. To get there, take an MBTA Green Line trolley to Copley. Marathon Sports is a one-minute walk from the station. The 5K guided running tours are $30 person and the 10K tours are $40, with the exception of the Seaport Beer Run, which is $45. All come with a free bottle of water. You must sign up by 6 p.m. the day before the tour, so be sure to plan ahead. You can register here.
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