Running in Duluth

Duluth is a running town. You probably already know that.

Between the lakefront, the Superior Hiking Trail, and a calendar packed with races from spring through fall, there's a reason runners from all over the Midwest come here to train — and a reason locals lace up year-round despite winters that would make most people permanently retire to the couch.

Whether you're chasing a Grandma's Marathon PR, thinking about your first 5K, or just trying to find a good route that doesn't destroy your knees, this is the guide. We'll cover the best places to run in Duluth, the events worth signing up for, and the training piece most runners skip that makes the biggest difference.

The Best Running Routes in Duluth

Lakewalk (2.5–7+ miles)

The obvious one, and for good reason. The Lakewalk runs from Canal Park up through Leif Erikson Park and beyond, with views of Lake Superior the entire way. It's paved, mostly flat, and busy enough that you'll never feel like you're running alone. Great for easy runs, tempo work, or just clearing your head after a long day.

Best for: Easy runs, long runs, beginners. The flat terrain is forgiving on joints, and the scenery makes the miles disappear.

Superior Hiking Trail (varies)

If you want to build trail legs, the SHT sections near Duluth are some of the best single-track in the state. Spirit Mountain to Ely's Peak is a classic 6-mile out-and-back with enough elevation change to humble you. The stretch from Martin Road to the Duluth Traverse connects to miles of technical trail.

Best for: Trail runners, ultramarathon training, anyone who's bored of pavement. Expect roots, rocks, and elevation — your ankles will thank you later (or curse you now).

Park Point (3–6 miles)

The sandbar. Run the beach when the sand is packed, or stick to the road for a flat out-and-back. It's exposed, so wind off the lake is a factor, but on a calm summer evening it's one of the most peaceful runs in the city.

Best for: Beach runs, speed work on the road, clearing your mind.

Chester Bowl / Chester Creek Trail (2–4 miles)

A short but surprisingly hilly loop through one of Duluth's most charming parks. The creek trail connects to the Superior Hiking Trail if you want to extend it. In winter, the ski trails here make excellent snowshoe runs.

Best for: Hill repeats, short tempo runs, anyone who wants to feel the burn without driving far.

Duluth Traverse (40+ miles total)

The big one. The Traverse connects trails across the entire city, from Enger Tower to Spirit Mountain to Lester Park. You don't have to run the whole thing — pick a section that matches your distance. But if you're training for an ultra, this is your playground.

Best for: Long trail runs, adventure runs, training for anything beyond a half marathon.

Western Waterfront Trail (5.2 miles)

Often overlooked. This paved trail runs from Bayfront Festival Park through Lincoln Park and along the St. Louis River. Flat, wide, and usually less crowded than the Lakewalk.

Best for: Easy recovery runs, stroller-friendly jogs (working parents, this one's for you), and long runs when you want flat terrain without the Lakewalk crowds.

Duluth Running Events Worth Your Calendar

Duluth's race calendar is legitimately stacked. Here are the ones that keep runners coming back:

Grandma's Marathon (June) — The flagship. Full marathon, half marathon, and the Garry Bjorklund Half. The point-to-point course along the North Shore is iconic. If you're training for Grandma's, we wrote a whole guide on how CrossFit makes you a better marathon runner.

FANS 24-Hour Ultra (June) — For the truly committed. Run as many miles as you can in 24 hours on a 2.78-mile loop. It's a surprisingly supportive, community-driven event.

Superior Fall Trail Race (September) — 25K, 50K, and 100-mile options on the Superior Hiking Trail. One of the most respected trail ultras in the country. If you've been running the SHT sections in training, this is the payoff.

Run Duluth (September) — A newer event with a half marathon and 5K. Good vibes, well-organized, and a nice fall alternative to the June races.

Chester Creek Trail Run, Turkey Trot, and various charity 5Ks — Duluth has something almost every month. Check local running stores for the full calendar.

The Training Piece Most Runners Skip

Here's the part where we get honest.

Most runners train by… running. More miles, longer runs, maybe some speedwork on Tuesdays. And that works — to a point. But if you've been running for a few years, you've probably noticed a pattern: you train hard, you race, something starts hurting, you take time off, repeat.

The missing piece is usually strength.

Not bicep curls and leg extensions. Functional strength — the kind that keeps your hips stable at mile 20, your core engaged when your form starts to break down, and your knees tracking properly when fatigue sets in.

This is where CrossFit-style training makes a real difference for runners. Squats, deadlifts, lunges, single-leg work, loaded carries — these build the durability that prevents the overuse injuries that sideline runners every season. Several of our members at CrossFit Aerial train for Grandma's Marathon and local trail races while doing CrossFit 3-4 days a week, and they'll tell you it's the reason they stay healthy through training blocks.

And if you're over 40, strength training isn't optional — it's how you keep running for decades instead of years. We wrote about that, too.

You Don't Have to Be a Runner to Start

Maybe you're reading this and thinking, "I haven't run since high school." That's fine. Most of our members at CrossFit Aerial hadn't worked out in years when they walked in. The conditioning you build in class — the rowing, the bike work, the metabolic workouts — translates directly to running fitness. More than a few members started CrossFit with no intention of running and ended up signing up for Grandma's half marathon because they finally felt capable.

Duluth has some of the best outdoor recreation in the Midwest. Running is one piece of that. But the fitness to actually enjoy it — to run the Lakewalk without dreading the last mile, to finish Grandma's strong instead of limping — that comes from building a body that can handle it.

If you're curious about how CrossFit fits into your running, check out what classes look like or just come see for yourself. We'll scale everything to where you are right now.