Running Through Lincoln

by Chris Whitney 

North to south, east to west, and everywhere in between, you are hard-pressed to find a city in the United States that offers as many paved trail options as Lincoln does. Through scenic Pioneers Park to Holmes Lake, Antelope Valley, and more, you will find some quiet, relaxing miles in and around Lincoln and a place to push the tempo and maximize a workout or two.

Lincoln offers a close-knit, friendly running community welcoming newcomers and visitors alike. The Lincoln Running Company and Fleet Feet Lincoln also provide training classes if you’re new to the sport, running in a few races here or there, or trying to hit that marathon PR. The Lincoln Running Company and Fleet Feet Lincoln are excellent stores with the latest and best merchandise, accessories, and knowledgeable staff to help you along your running journey. 

With over 131 miles of trails to choose from, one of the most popular is the MoPac Trail, which spans nearly 27 miles from West Lincoln all the way through the city and east to the Wabash Trailhead. The crushed-stone pathway provides scenic views through the smaller communities of Walton, Eagle, and Elmwood. MoPac East begins just south of 84th and O streets and continues east for nearly 22 miles, while MoPac West begins at the same 84th Street trailhead and moves west by UNL’s East Campus all the way to 17th and Vine streets. 

The Rock Island Trail takes you north to south by scenic spots like the Lincoln Children’s Zoo, Antelope Park, UNL’s City Campus, and more. This paved trail has numerous shady spots and eventually concludes at Densmore Park. You can also traverse the Jamaica North Trail, which begins at its southern point near 25th and Saltillo Road and jaunts north to near Robber’s Cave in Southwest Lincoln. Should you want to head a little further south, the Jamaica North Trail also connects to the Homestead Trail, which stretches south to Beatrice.

Lincoln’s residential neighborhoods can also provide excellent running and a chance to see the unique parts of the community. Sheridan Boulevard stretches from South Street, heading southeast to Calvert Street, approximately three miles. Mahoney Park in northeast Lincoln features a loop around softball fields, tennis courts, and more and connects to the Murdock Trail, which features crushed stone and asphalt surfaces.

The Lincoln Marathon and Half Marathon are two of the most popular races in the Midwest. Preparing for its 47th year of running in 2024, the Lincoln Marathon is filled with great experiences running through the streets of Lincoln, ranging from the cheering crowds to the scenic neighborhoods and relatively flat course. In 2023, over 5,000 runners took to the streets on May 7, accomplished their fitness goals, and snagged a PR or two. No matter what year it is, here’s a local tip—be sure to say hi to the gentleman wearing a tuxedo and handing out water along South 48th Street near Union College. And don’t forget to mark your calendars for the 2024 running of the Lincoln Marathon, which will take place on Sunday, May 5.

The Lincoln Track Club and Pink Gorilla Events put on other races throughout the year varying distances, including the Good Life Halfsy, Buffalo Run, Lincoln Mile, and more. And, if that’s not enough, pile yourself and your closest running friends into a van and participate in Market to Market. This Ragnar-style relay race begins in Omaha and ends in the Haymarket, the longest day-long relay in the nation that traverses nearly 75 miles and features 650 teams of 6-8 runners per team. The Gravel Worlds Championships have also added running events to their gravel cycling program, with 50k, 25k, and 10k events as part of the championship weekend in late August.

For younger runners, scholarships are provided through the Lincoln Track Club to promote opportunities for continued physical fitness and activity. The one-year, $2,500 scholarship is awarded each year, up to six recipients, to a high school senior who participates in their school’s track or cross country program and has accepted an offer to compete on a team at the collegiate level. Scholarships have been awarded yearly since 2014 and have been bestowed upon 43 different athletes.

Numerous fun runs of varying distances are also held in Lincoln annually, involving local charities and their fundraising efforts. Lincon’s central location also sees it as an ending location for one segment and the beginning of another segment for the longest-running relay event in the United States, MS Run the US. The event raises funds for MS Run the US. This Milwaukee-based organization raises money and awareness for people with multiple sclerosis as 19 runners take a particular section of the country and run the equivalent of multiple marathons on consecutive days. The relay is split into five, six, seven, or eight-day segments beginning in Los Angeles in early April and concluding in New York City in mid-August. The Holdrege to Lincoln segment concludes in mid-June, while the Lincoln to Des Moines segment begins immediately after. Several Lincoln and Nebraska runners have participated in the cross-country relay and helped raise awareness and money through their running, gaining contributions and continued support from the running community.

Lincoln prides itself on its parks, green spaces, and areas where people can enjoy the outdoors. So lace up those shoes and hit the road, trail, or track because you won’t find many better locations for runners to enjoy their miles than here in the Capital City.