Running Maps in the World

Keppel Marina

Wolf — 2012-02-09T08:50:44Z

Keppel Marina lies just off Sentosa Island and is more known for it's exclusive Yacht Club and Wine & Dine location. However, if you at one of the nearby condos (Carribean @ Keppel); you may pick it for a short morning jog with a sea breeze.

While running, you can enjoy exceptional views on the Marina itself and the nearby stunning Reflections at Keppel Bay Condo complex, which is about to be completed. Plus the sunrise or sunset at the seafront.

It is a good lunch time exercise spot too.

How to get there:

By public transport: The closest MRT station is Harbour Front or the newlt built Telok Blangah on the Circle Line. There are no buses going there directly, but quite a few can drop you off Keppel Bay Drive: 10,30,57, 61,93, 97, 100, 131, 143, 145, 166, 188, 408 or 963.

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By car: The Marina has a parking, also available for visitors.

The track: One loop is just about 1km, or a bit longer, if you include the bridge at Keppel Bay Drive. You can also include it in your run at the nearby Mount Faber or the Labrador Nature Reserve.

You can't miss the track : just along the shore line. It's all flat on a small paved track and relatively sun-exposed.

Water point: I didn't see any on the way; don't think there are any.

Gunung Brinchang

Wolf — 2011-10-14T01:02:34Z

This rather challenging route leads up to the highest summit of the Cameron Highlands, the Gunung (Mount) Brinchang. While this highlight is usually covered by tourist buses bringing you up there for the photo shooting amongst the crowd, this trail will allow you to climb up the mount by yourself through the rain forest. Once at the top, enjoy the view over the lands from the watch tower, then run all the way back down through the famous tea plantations.

The trail is basically covering the same content as one of the most popular tourist excursions : the mountain top, the tea plantations. What you won't get is the explanations of the guides and the visit of the tea factory. But what you will get is an enchanting climb through the silence of a rain forest, a scenic run through kilometers of bright green tea plantations in the middle of the nature and all this just for yourself!

And a pair of dirty shoes, probably. The Lonely Planet mentions the trail, but does not recommended it as the climb to the mountain is: "steep, muddy and slippery." Pretty accurate description. Go for it!

How to get there:

The best is to start at the Brinchang market place. From there, take the main road leading up and out of town : you may see the signboards for "Kea" or "Gunung Brinchang" by the road. About 500m out of Brinchang, there is a trail leaving on the left side : from there signs will tell you the way to Gunung Brinchang.

The map below should facilitate the searching...

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Many tourists stay not in Brinchang, but at Tanah Rata. No need to take transport between the two towns for a morning run : it is just an additional 3-4km, depending if you dare to cut across a golf course or not.

The track:

The track does a full loop, starting and ending in Brinchang. The full distance from Brinchang market back to there is about 15km. The track can be roughly subdivided into three parts. The first one is the climb to the mount : starting as a pleasant path through the forest, it quickly turns into a muddy and slippery climb up through the misty and mossy forest. There is no way to "run" this part : it's just to steep. Signboards along the way will tell you the distance left to the summit. That's about it for the first three kilometers. When you reach the top, there is a watch tower to climb to enjoy the view over the Cameron Highlands all around. Then comes the second part: about 6km slightly downhill on a deserted and not well maintained road. This is the most enjoyable part of the run. The forest will recede shortly and give way to a magnificent panorama on tea plantations until the horizon, and soon you will be running in the middle of them. With some luck, you can observe the workers collecting the tea. This goes until you hit the main road, and the third part. It consists of going back to Brinchang on the road : it is wide enough and leaves plenty of space to run on the side. Depending on the hour there may be significant traffic here though. You will pass some other tourist attractions such as the butterfly museum, and plenty of shops selling strawberries and flowers along the road. That goes until you reach back to Brinchang, your departing point.

Water point: There is no water point. On the summit of the mount there is literally nothing. You may sure find some shop selling water on the last stretch of the run along the roadside.

Here is the KML file to see in Google Earth:

Avoid to run in the late morning, as the mount and the tea plantations will be swarming with tourists and tourist guides. Also, though in higher altitude, it can get quite hot. Best is early morning or late afternoon, you will be just by yourself.

Bangkok - Lumphini Park

Wolf — 2011-08-20T06:06:32Z

Certainly not beeing the greenest capital, Bangkok still offers a few green patches to people looking for calm and respite. The Lumphini (also called Lumpuni) park has everything the urban jogger can ask for: a 2.5km jogging track around an (artificial) lake and some greenery.

Since it is one of the rare public green spaces in Bangkok, it can get crowded at times, and joggers, bikers, tai chi amateurs and stray dogs share the jogging track.

How to get there:

By public transport: The closest Skytrain station is Sala Daeng, or take the train to Lumpini Station (nearby the Muay Thai boxing stadium).

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By car: Not quite sure if it is a good idea: roads are notoriously crowded and demotivation will settle in before even getting to the place. There seems to be a parking lot along Ratchadamri road.

The track: It is an about 2.5km loop around a lake, with some little variations possible. Totally flat and asphalted, there are distance markers every 100m. On the way, there are some gym facilities.

Especially in the early morning, you can observe groups of tai chi, swordsmen and other interesting folks. You may be not too crowded, too.

The park has several numbered entrances, a few at each side, thus the access is quite convenient.

Water point: None - no drinkable tap water in Thailand. There are a few snack/drink stations scattered around the park, and a food court as well.

The park opens at about 5am (you can only access it through the gates) and closes at about 9pm.

Bottletree Park

Wolf — 2011-07-04T10:56:27Z

The Bottle Tree Park reminds a bit of the old Singapore times: a fishing lake, kampong like buildings and a seafood restaurant in the middle. While the place is very popular with anglers and families looking for a relaxing place for dinner, the park area can also be used for running.

The whole park area with the conceptual village is about 7ha, including gardening areas, a mini zoo, fishing ponds, a minicar race track and some other items thematically unrelated with each other. In this lovely chaos you can sure find your jogging track.

How to get there:

By MRT or bus: From the Khatib station it is a 15 minutes walk to the park entrance, opposite Yishun stadium. Many buses stop at Yishun Ave 2: 39, 85, 851, 852, 853, 854, 855, 857, 858, 965 and 969.

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By car: Take the Yishun exit from the SLE. In Yishun Ave 1, turn right toward Sembawang Road then turn at Lorong Chencharu. There is a parking lot.

The track: You can loop around the fishing lake and restaurant. Since this area is quite small (loop is about 600m only), you may choose to run further up towards the conceptual village and come back the same way or make a loop and come back on the side road.

The track is flat and most of it is asphalted. You may share it with other visitors, shrimp fishers and restaurant diners, so you may choose to come early or late. The park closes at midnight.

Water point: I didn't see any on the way.

Marina Bay

Wolf — 2011-04-30T07:52:27Z

This Marina Bay loop is the most centrally located running track in the whole of Singapore - literally at the doorstep of the Central Business district. The loop of the Marina Bay is possible only since 2010, with the opening of the Marina Bay Sands, the adjacent waterfront promenade and the Helix bridge leading to the Esplanade theater.

The scenery is stunning, whether at dawn or dawn, or in the heat of the 12pm lunch break : the Marina Bay Sands with the Arts museum and the Helix bridge, the skyscrapers of the CBD, the Esplanade theaters, the Fullerton hotel and finally the Merlion.

For all the finance folks, this could be your ideal lunch exercise place instead of accumulating calories at Lau Pa Sat foodcourt or the latest dumpling eatery.

How to get there:

By public transport: The closest MRT station is Raffles Place, exit NTUC building brings you to the exact departure point. Alternative MRT stations are City Hall, the Promenade or the Esplanade, and finally Marina Bay.

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By car: CBD parking lots are expensive. It makes only sense to run here if you have work or other business to do in the area during the day.

The track: One loop is a little more then 3km. You can start pretty much at any place, depending on the work location. If you start from Raffles Place MRT: from the MRT exit NTUC building, pass by the Fullerton hotel lobby and run along the waterfront, along the line of restaurants, until you reach the Merlion. There go up the stairs and cross the Esplanade bridge. On the other side of the river, head down to the Waterfront again, along the Esplanade theater. Continue until the floating platform. It might be closed at times, so you may pass behind it. Then turn right and cross over to Marina Bay sands over the Helix bridge.

Finally, run along the Marina Bay shopping centre, heading back to the CBD. Pass by the Marina Bay Financial Center, then One Raffles Quay, back to the departure point.

The best is to run early morning. During the evening, the route may be crowded with tourists at times; and at noon, it can get very hot and the track is exposed to sun from all sides.

Water point: I didn't see any on the way.

Bishan Park

Wolf — 2011-04-07T04:21:57Z

The Bishan park is one of the largest parks in Singapore; stretching along Kallang River until the Lower Pierce reservoir. As of 2010, it is still under major revamp due to the "bringing Kallang river to Bishan park" project, due in 2011 : the concrete canal holding the Kallang river is to be transformed into a natural river bed.

How to get there:

By public transport: The closest MRT stations are Ang Mo Kio and Bishan. From Ang Mo Kio MRT, the 132, 133, 136, 165, 166, 169 or 262 bus services can be taken. From Bishan MRT, you can use the 410 bus.

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By car: I didn't see any dedicated parking lots, but there must be some. Along Ang Mo Kio Ave 1.

The track: About 1.1km meandering around the construction sites. When the rehearsal of the park is finished, it will be again possible to loop back to the starting point. Starting from Bishan road, towards Marymount road. You can cross over and continue in the second portion of the park (another about 2km) until you hit Upper Thomson Road. You can then choose to continue to the Lower Pierce Reservoir park along Old Upper Thomson Road. The run is on an asphalted track, not totally flat.

Water point: Didn't see any, but likely there are some.

The park and the dirt trail are lit in the early morning hours and during the evening.

ZhengHua Park

Wolf — 2011-03-21T08:07:30Z

The ZhengHua park stretches in a long corridor along the BKE highway and links the Bukit Timah Nature reserve to the Pierce Reservoir. You could run this about 3km stretch on its own or build it into a larger circuit along the different park connectors or across the jungle trails.

Although near the highway, it still provides a relatively green and peaceful environments. In the early morning hours, you can find a whole bunch of people jogging or exercising tai-chi on the trail or facilities.

How to get there:

By public transport: The closest LRT (not MRT!) stations are Petir or Segar, off Choa Chu Kang. By bus, number 171 or one of the feeder buses off Petir LRT station.

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By car: The best is go up Chestnut Drive and park the car at the roadside. The road is not very much in use as it is a dead end. No official parking here but enough space for a few vehicles especially in the morning, when it is not so crowded yet. Later in the day, cyclists for the mountain bike trail can park here and there may be less space.

The track: About 3km in an almost straight line, along the BKE. North of Chestnut drive, the track is asphalted and only narrow at times. It is not flat and provides some good up- or downhill portions. On the way, there are some gym facilities.

Towards the South of Chestnut, it is a dirt trail that ultimately ends at the Bukit Timah Mountain bike trail.

Towards the very North end of the park, you may chose to continue using the Choa Chu Kang park connector or loop back to Zhenghua Park via the connector.

To the East, you may also chose to continue to the forest : turn where there is an underpass under the BKE. After having crossed over (under), you will see a neighbourhood gardening place. Keep to your left and go uphill - this tracks leads to the Central Catchment area in the North.

Water point: None.

The park and the dirt trail are lit in the early morning hours and during the evening.

Ang Mo Kio Town Garden East

Wolf — 2011-02-04T15:19:49Z

Ang Mo Kio Town Garden East is the tiny little brother of Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West and just a stonethrow away. It is built on a former rubber estate and still has some rubber trees.

Although strategically located just next (almost above) to the busy MRT station, it is not very crowded. The park does not have any facility except rain shelters.

How to get there:

By public transport: Just get off Ang Mo Kio MRT and there you are. The park is at the corner of the Ang Mi Kio Ave 3 and 8.

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By car: No obvious parking nearby, the next possible one would be at the Ang Mo Kio Hub mall; not free of charge.

The track: The total length of the biggest loop is just about 700m. The track is laid out with bricks or concrete and winds a bit up and down; adding some difficulty. Due to the short track length it is not suitable for a long weekend run. Eventually, it can be reached from Bedok Town park via a park connector following the MRT track.

Water point: No water point or whatsoever facilities nearby.

Google Maps: Ang Mo Kio Town Garden East on Google Maps.

And here the KML file for display in Google Earth:

Bedok Reservoir

Wolf — 2011-01-26T06:12:45Z

Runner's haven is in Bedok! If you are staying nearby then this is the place for your morning or evening exercise. No cars, no traffic noise. Instead, a flat track around a beautiful lake. With its 4.3 km it is small enough for a quick interval run, and it the same time big enough for long distance exercise.

The former sand quarry has been transformed into a park for joggers, skaters and cyclists, while many watersports activities like kayak, sailing, fishing or dragonboat. Even the HSBC Wakeboarding world cup was held here some time ago.

Often schools and associations can be seen here organizing private competitions around the lake.

How to get there:

By public transport: The closest MRT stations are Bedok or Tampines. There are also a lot of buses running around Bedok reservoir : 8,15, 21,22,23,59,65,66,69,228,506, 518.

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By car: There is at least one parking lot, at Bedok Reservoir Road.

The track: It's a absolutely flat and most of the surface is sand, only parts beeing laid out with concrete or gravel. The total length is about 4.3km, with kilometer marks all around the lake.

The track is lit starting in the early morning at 5am, and in the evening until midnight.

Water point: There are water points, public toilets and even shower facilities.

Google Maps: Bedok Reservoir on Google Maps.

Jalan Kajeng, Ubud - Ricefields

Wolf — 2011-01-07T09:33:49Z

When coming to Ubud for the first time, one would assumed the green environment would provide plenty of possibility for running : across the rice paddies and jungle patches.

However, the dense and dangerous traffic on the roads, and the fact that the tracks are uncharted, make running in reality quite difficult. For example, the tracks provided for "hiking" in the Lonely Planet, one would think are suitable for running as well. But one of the tried tracks appeared to be closed by a "gate", and a so-called "guide" requesting passing fee beside. Another track was non practicable for running because to narrow (rice paddy walk) and to steep. Alongside with another "guide" demanding money.

The track tested here is the optimal one for someone staying in the touristic part of Ubud : the starting point is in the town center, next to the market place : at Kajeng Road heading north. The increasingly narrow path is public and leads first across rice paddies and later through the jungle.

How to get there:

Best ask for the market place and Jalan Kajeng (Kajeng Road). The town is small so almost everything is walking distance.

The track: Starting at Kajeng road, head the relatively quite road up and north, until the track gets more narrow and only motor cycles can continue to pass. Then continue until the last buildings of Ubud disappear and the rice paddies start. The track increasingly narrows, and the surface changes from concrete to dirt just before you enter the forest. In the jungle strip (left and right you still have the rice paddies) you keep heading north, running along the irrigation system canal. The total track length is at least 3km, but possibly you can head further north. So two way it makes 6km. The profile is relatively flat, at times it may be a little difficult to run as the track can run extremely narrow and there are sometimes fallen trees on the way.

Water point: There are none.

Google Maps: Kajeng Road on Google Maps.

Download the KML to display the track in Google Earth.

Good to know: At times snakes may be encountered in the rice paddies, especially in the early morning. Watch your feet.

Before scaring everyone off, this is not the track itself, just a view from the track.