Smart Run Routes
Real-time route scoring for NYC runners — every route scored 0-100 based on air quality, street safety, scenery, and terrain
How We Score Routes
Air Quality (0-25)
Real-time AQI from EPA AirNow, adjusted per route. Park routes score higher due to tree canopy filtering; routes near highways are penalized.
Street Safety (0-25)
NYPD Motor Vehicle Collision data from NYC Open Data. Counts crashes within proximity of the route over the past 2 years. Fewer crashes = higher score.
Scenery (0-25)
Water proximity (0-10), green space (0-10), and landmarks (0-5). Routes along rivers, through parks, and past scenic landmarks score highest. Uses 7 NYC Open Data sources.
Terrain (0-25)
USGS National Map elevation data. Beginners get higher scores for flat routes; advanced runners score higher with elevation gain for hill training.
Curated Route Library
Running Clubs
NYC Running Clubs
10 clubsFind your crew. All clubs welcome new runners unless noted.
New York Road Runners (NYRR)
Central Park, Manhattan
The OG. Organizes the NYC Marathon + 50+ races/year. Free Open Runs every Saturday.
November Project NYC
Various, Manhattan
High-energy, no-excuses outdoor fitness. Lots of hugs. Free forever.
Orchard Street Runners
Lower East Side, Manhattan
Cool downtown crowd. Bridge loops and waterfront runs. Social drinks after.
Brooklyn Track Club
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Competitive but welcoming. Structured workouts for folks who want to PR.
North Brooklyn Runners
Williamsburg / Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Community-first. Charity fundraising, marathon training, social runs.
Dashing Whippets Running Team
Central Park / Citywide, Manhattan
LGBTQ+ inclusive racing team. Serious training with a fun, supportive culture.
Bronx Runners
Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx
Bilingual (EN/ES). Welcoming to first-timers. Trail and road runs.
Prospect Park Track Club
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
One of Brooklyn's oldest running clubs. Excellent marathon training program.
Queens Distance Runners
Flushing Meadows, Queens
Queens pride. Diverse, multilingual, run through the borough's best parks.
Black Roses NYC
Citywide, Manhattan
Streetwear meets run culture. Creative community, post-run hangs.
NYC Running Tips
- • Check AQI before you go — if AQI is above 100, consider indoor exercise
- • Central Park runs counterclockwise — follow the flow of traffic
- • Dawn and dusk are prime time — popular paths are packed midday
- • Water fountains are turned off November through March
- • Shape Up NYC offers free outdoor fitness classes in parks citywide
Powered by EPA AirNow · NYPD Collisions · NYC Parks · NYC Waterfront · LPC Landmarks · USGS Elevation