Running at Carleton

Northfield is a great place to be a runner. The Carleton Arboretum (the arb) has 800 acres of land and trails adjacent to campus for you to explore. The Upper Arb is my favorite place to run. The fall foliage and cool weather make this time of year the absolute best time to run, and I have been running most days of the week this term. I am a creature of habit and tend to stick to the trails that I know, but there are a ton of places I still want to explore. 

I prefer to run on my own, but there are plenty of opportunities to run with others if that’s your thing. Carleton’s running club (CREEP) welcomes runners of all speeds and backgrounds. I know that there are also several PE courses that include running and/or the Arb, including Trail Running, Nordic Ski and Aerobic Walking. There is also a Men’s and Women’s Cross Country team for more serious long distance runners. I know very little about the teams, but word on the street is that they’re good! 

Some of the Arb’s trails are paved, but in my opinion the best outdoor option for a smooth running experience is the neighborhood. The streets of Northfield surrounding campus have sidewalks, stop signs, bike paths, and are safe to run through during the day and at night (with precaution, of course). This is my favorite option for when I want fewer hills, or if I am going for a short run. There is also a 400-meter track outside of Laird Stadium that students can access.

For indoor running options, head over to the Recreation Center (Rec). There are a ton of treadmills and elliptical machines along with the 200-meter track upstairs. Sometimes I combine all three strategies, and do my warm up mile in the neighborhood, do the bulk of the run in the Arb, and have my final destination be the Rec Center. Wherever I go, my runs are my favorite way to de-stress and get some energy out after a long day of sitting in classes. It’s really nice to be able to just slip in some earbuds, turn off my brain, step out of the door, and see where my feet take me. 

Jess (he/him) is a junior English major and Creative Writing minor from Milwaukee, WI. He works for Admissions and Off-Campus Studies, blogging up a storm. On campus, he can be found on the Bald Spot with a book, next to the CD player in the Record Libe, or along the trails of the Arb on a late night run. He is a big fan of Carleton’s spring term and dining hall vegetarian sausage. As far as Northfield coffee shops go, he remains loyal to Goodbye Blue Monday.