Delray Beach is located on the eastern coast of Florida, just an hour north of Miami. With its warm weather, stunning ocean views and vibrant atmosphere, it’s loved by both locals and tourists alike. Whether you’re just visiting or you’ve relocated permanently to the sunshine state, you may be wondering where to run in Delray Beach. Luckily, Delray Beach offers a variety of running routes that showcase Florida’s beautiful greenery and unique wildlife.
Lace up your running shoes and don’t forget your water bottle, as it’s frequently between 70 and 80 degrees. Here are the best running routes in and around Delray Beach.
State Road A1A
- Best for: Long Runs
- Location: East Delray Beach
- Route type: Out & back
- Length: Up to 20 miles
- Surface: Paved
- Start location: Atlantic Ave & A1A
Enjoy beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and gawk at the beachfront mansions along the way! Starting at Delray’s bustling Atlantic Avenue and A1A, you can run south for about ten miles until you hit Deerfield Beach. The best thing about this route is that you can make it as long or short as you want, and there are plenty of starting points, too.
If you’re part of the Fleet Feet Delray Beach running club, you can start at the store, head over the Linton bridge and turn right on A1A. Some running clubs choose to start at the Walgreen’s just west of the Spanish River Bridge before making their way east to A1A.
No matter where you start your run, there are ample water fountains along the route. There are also public bathrooms on Atlantic Avenue and A1A, as well as at Spanish River Park in Boca Raton and the beachfront park at Palmetto Park Road and A1A. This makes State Road A1A an ideal location for long runs.
El Rio Trail
- Best for: Speedwork
- Location: Boca Raton
- Route type: Out & back
- Length: Up to 9.5 miles
- Surface: Paved
- Start location: Congress Avenue & NW 82nd Blvd
The El Rio trail juts off the sidewalk on Congress Avenue, just north of NW 82nd Boulevard in Boca Raton. From there, you can run all the way to the trail head on Glades Road, right next to Florida Atlantic University.
You’ll have to use the crosswalks on Congress Avenue, Clint Moore Road and Spanish River Boulevard to stay on the trail, so look both ways before crossing. Because this trail runs right along the El Rio canal, chances are high that you’ll spot iguanas, turtles and even alligators while you run.
While there are no public tracks in Delray Beach, this trail offers a flat, paved surface that’s an ideal spot for speed workouts and tempo sessions. The trail is a hot spot for bikers as well as runners, so be aware of your surroundings and keep to your right side of the trail.
Yamato Scrub Natural Area
- Best For: Trail runs
- Location: Boca Raton
- Route type: Loop
- Length: 3.5 miles
- Surface: Trail, paved
- Start location: 701 Clint Moore Rd, Boca Raton FL
Tired of pounding the pavement? Check out the Yamato Scrub Natural Area, a 217-acre natural area comprised of rare scrub habitat. It’s also home to one of the only trail routes near Delray Beach.
Runners can park in the free parking lot at the natural area before starting on the Cicada Nature trail, a .7-mile paved pathway that takes you to Skyblue Lupine Hiking Trail. The 2.8-mile hiking trail is single-track, so watch out for other runners and hikers. Bikers are not permitted on the trail. The mix of sand and dirt is ideal for giving your feet and lower leg muscles a good workout.
There aren’t any bathrooms or water fountains at the natural area, so be sure to go before you leave and bring your own water bottle.
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
- Best for: Scenic runs, Long runs
- Location: Boynton Beach
- Route type: Out & back
- Length: 50+ miles
- Surface: Crushed gravel
- Start location: 10216 Lee Road, Boynton Beach FL
This massive wildlife refuge spans over 100,000 acres and borders the Everglades Agricultural Area. Access through the Lee Road parking lot and make your way through the grassy Marsh Trail up to the gravel levee, also known as the Conservation Levee Greenway. Running on the Marsh Trail is frowned upon, as it can disturb the many wildlife species that live there.
The crushed gravel path runs right along a canal bordering the Everglades, so you’re more than likely to see a few alligators. If you have a close encounter with an alligator, back away slowly. Remember, they’re more scared of you than you are of them—but they can run up to 35 miles per hour for short distances!
Be sure to bring a handheld water bottle, as there aren’t any water fountains or bathrooms along this route, and use the public bathroom at the parking lot before heading out. If you’re looking for a super-long run, you can run all the way south to Sunrise (about 30 miles), or all the way north to Loxahatchee (about 16 miles) and back.
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