Where in Chester County are you? I've run the Struble Trail in Downingtown a few times and enjoyed that, it's 5.2 miles I think. I know there are many other trail runs that I haven't explored yet though. Very interested in seeing what responses you get for this!

quote:<HR>Originally posted by ShanGen:
I am looking for runners in the area to give some suggestions on where to run. I currently run my neighborhood loop but it's only .85miles so as I am starting to build mileage I'm sure you can see how it gets tedious. I have looked for loops which spur off of mine but they are normally only 1 mile and so it takes fancy finagling to get to the 3 miles I am currently at.

I appreciate any suggests. <HR>

I know it's not in Chester County, but the Valley Forge Striders are a running club nearby.

http://www.valleyforgestriders.com/[/URL" target="_blank">

I'm sure that some of their members are from Chester County. If you live close to the DE line, yeah, it will be a haul, but if you live in the Downingtown/Exton area, it's only a 15 minute drive up 202. I drive that long for group runs all the time.

And, you could just run around Valley Forge.

You could also take a drive up to Bryn Mawr Running Co (once again, Montgomery County) and ask if anyone up there knows of any other clubs in the area.

http://www.brynmawrrunningco.com/[/URL" target="_blank">

There is also a decent running store in the Newtown Square area (Delaware County), Can't recall the name of it.

And, there is also a very good running store in the Wilmington area.

Your best bet is to contact area running groups.

Oh...and barring that...Ridley Creek State Park is an awesome place to run. Check that one out. Very nice hills.

French Creek State Park (yeah, I know, not in Chester County) has some very nice trails, and is the host to the Double Trouble race, put on by Pretzel City Sports. They do a lot of races in Berks County. All usually insane! Just read the race apps.

http://www.pretzelcitysports.com/[/URL" target="_blank">

I'm in Chester County myself, Chester Springs to be exact.

Some of the places worth checking out:

-The Struble Trail
-The Uwchland Trail
-Marsh Creek St. Park
-French Creek St. Park
-Warwick Park

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My Log[/URL" target="_blank">

I used to live in Oxford, which is southern Chester County. I understand your pain about running on local roads. They are almost impossible. I also used to live in Wilmington, DE and liked the Brandywine Creek State Park just below the state line. Also, Carpenter State Park near Newark, DE (more of a drive, though). Hibernia County Park near Coatesville is close to you.

Also, check out your local high schools in the area and try to find out where the cross country teams train and compete. Oxford is very rural, but roads are narrow. The high school has something like a 2 mile loop around the school grounds that they train(ed) on. I suppose Downingtown HS, West Chester East or West Chester Henderson HS's or maybe Phoenixville HS has something similar.

http://This message has been edited by neustkg (edited Aug-20-2007).

Hey ShanGen, now that we've both recovered from that hot and humid 5k we should run together! If you're going to be around at all over the holiday weekend, drop me an e-mail: it's toots6788@hotmail.com

Theresa