Running in Harrisonburg

The town of Harrisonburg, with its variety of gyms, roads and trails, is a great place for running. Whether you are an indoor or outdoor runner, a student or community member, this site is designed to help you find places to run that fit your lifestyle.

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Arboretum, Edith J Carrier

Description: Nature sanctuary, walking paths, labyrinth.

Terrain: Hilly. Paths are cleared and coated in wood chips. Paths near ponds are cemented.

Recommended Shoes: Running Convenience: Close. Located on East Campus right across the street from E-hall and the Skyline dorms on University Avenue.

Least Crowded: Bad weather conditions, mid-day.

Children Friendly: Yes, if accompanied by an adult. There are ducks and turtles for them to look at in the pond, and many flowers and plants to see on the paths (but not to touch!)

Dog-friendly: Yes, on leash.

Users: JMU students use this trail to get to classes from student apartment complexes, for exercise, and for class purposes. Community members use the trails as well.

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Charleston Townes Gym

Location: 202 N Liberty Street Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802 Description: 2 treadmills Busiest Times: 7-10 p.m. Users: Residents only Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.charlestontownes.com/

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Copper Beach Gym

"The gym is always in use, however,it is rarely crowded to the point that tenants have to wait to use any of the equipment. The equipment to resident ratio is much less than that at UREC." - Latany Bell, Property Manager

Description: 5 treadmills

Hours: Open 24/7 Busiest Times: 4-8 p.m.

Users: Residents only.

Phone: [phone]

Email: [email protected]

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Eastern Mennonite University

Location: 1200 Park Road Harrisonburg Virginia, 22802 Description: Both the campus and neighboring communities provide roads to run on.

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Gold's Gym

"You don't have to wait for equipment or classes, and there are no sign up fees." - Josh Spaide, Assistant General Manager

Location: 381 Lucy Drive Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801 Description: 20 treadmills, 100 meter indoor track

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 5 a.m. - 12:30 a.m. Friday: 5 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Busiest Times: 5-7 p.m. Student Discount: Yes, $35.95/month Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected]

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Hillandale Park

"This is the only [trail] I walk outside of hiking in the mountains. It's convenient to me. I was walking the park before they built these [trails], I've been walking here for years." - George Givens, Harrisonburg Resident

Location: 780 University Boulevard Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807 Description: Park, 12 shelters, paths.

Distance: Newly added trails (est. 1.3 miles). Terrain: Hilly, good for hiking and biking as well. First half of trail is lined with gravel, and the second half can either be run on the roads of the park, pas the shelters, or on the newly-added trails in the woods. Recommended Shoes: Running shoes or hiking boots. Convenience: Only about 3 miles from campus. Located on Route 42, past Memorial hall and Taste of Thai, right before you reach Mr. J's and Food lion. Extras: First half of the trail is lined with exercise equipment.

Children friendly: No.

Dog Friendly: Yes.

Users: Community members heavily use this trail for hiking and dog walking. JMU student runners and walkers use it as well.

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Hillandale Park Trail Video

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North 38 Gym

Location: Meridian Circle Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802 Description: 3 treadmills

Hours: Open 24/7

Busiest Times: 5-7 p.m.

Users: Resident only. 1 accompanied Guest allowed.

Website: http://www.north38apts.com/

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Planet Fitness

"Most people that join our gym are first time users, or people looking to get back into the swing of things... There's a very relaxed atmosphere here with no wait for equipment." - Aaron, Assistant Manager

Location: 1790 E Market Street Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802

Description: 30 treadmills

Hours: 24 hours Mon-Fri Busiest Times: 5-10 p.m. Student Discount: No

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Purcell Park

"We come here so we can go to the playground and walk the dog too. This [path] is easy." -Jordan, JMU Student

Location: 41 Monument Avenue Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807

Description: Park, playground and sport fields.

Terrain: 1.5 mile gravel trail

Recommended Shoes: Running

Busiest Times: 4-5 p.m. crowded. Expect it to be crowded for sports practices and students off from classes.

Least Busiest Times: Bad weather conditions, mid-day.

Convenience: Close, located less than a mile away from campus. Take a left on the road right across from the tree houses (Newman Lake), and it will take you straight to the parking lots.

Children Friendly: Yes. The playground and sport fields are busy with children. Families also walk the trail.

Dog Friendly: Yes

Users: Community members heavily use this trail for exercising and sports practices. JMU student runners and walkers use it as well.

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Purcell Park Trail Video

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Squire Hill Gym

Location: 1443 Devon Ln Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801

Description: 3 treadmills. Generally not very crowded. Morning and mid-afternoon are least crowded.

Users: Residents only.

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Sunchase Gym

Location: Sunchase Dr Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801

Description: 4 treadmills. Busiest Times: Weekends

Best Time: Early morning or mid-afternoon.

Users: Residents only.

Phone: [phone] Website: http://www.sunchase.net/

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Urban Exchange Gym

Location: Third Floor 238 E Water Street Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801

Description: 2-3 treadmills. Sometimes hard to get. Best Times: Early morning or mid-afternoon. Users: Residents only. Phone [phone] Website: http://www.liveue.com/

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A fall 2012 addition to UREC. Runners can use the multi-purpose outdoor track.

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UREC, JMU

Location: 800 S Main St, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807

Hours:

Monday-Thursday: 6:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Friday: 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Sunday: Noon - 11:30 p.m.

Description: Treadmills. Indoor and Outdoor tracks.

Users: Mostly students, some faculty and community members.