Motivation

Who Run The World? The World's Most Picturesque Running Cities

Whether you’re a city dweller looking for new running routes, or an avid runner heading off on a city break - there’s a whole host of gorgeous concrete jungles around the globe, where runners love to take a cheeky snap while getting their endorphin rush. Exploring a city on two feet is certainly one of the best ways to get to know your surroundings, so why whizz from location to location on underground trains or buses when you could jog your way around the sights?

We analysed over a million hashtags for 600 cities around the planet to discover which provide the most eye-catching runs to enjoy in your trainers . Some cities offer dazzling coastal running routes, while others showcase their green side in lush inner-city parks and forests, but which ones really hold their own on the photo-sharing social media platform Instagram?

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Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

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1. THE UK’S MOST PICTURESQUE RUNNING CITIES

The United Kingdom might be known for its bad weather, and while many might not feel that it's conducive to a pleasant outdoors workout - thousands of runners would have to disagree. The iconic and world-famous London marathon takes place each year in the capital and over 96,000 photos on Instagram have been tagged using the #RunLondon hashtag, ranking it as the UK’s most picturesque running city. Tower Bridge is a firm favourite when it comes to spots to snap a pic though, with the hashtag flooded with images of running Brits with the famous landmark behind them.

In second place is Norwich, with 6,566 hashtags flooded with some of the Norfolk city’s most Instagrammable running routes. The account @runroutesnorwich also regularly posts recommended spots where runners can get both their adrenaline and Instagram fix. RunNorwich also takes place every year, a fun 10km run that has been voted as Britain’s best 10km race at the Running Awards.

Coming in just behind Norwich is the harbour city of Bristol, with #RunBristol garnering an impressive 5,717 posts under its hashtag. For runners who want to spot Bristol’s landmarks on their journey, the Harbourside is a popular loop that can vary between 5km and 21.1km, depending on where you start and finish. For those looking to get slightly out of the city, the Bristol to Bath Railway path is a gorgeous 13-mile stretch that will take you away from any cars or traffic.

Two Scottish cities also make the UK’s top 10 most picturesque cities to run in; Glasgow is 6th with 3,320 hashtags under #RunGlasgow and Edinburgh is 7th with 3,248 hashtags. Glasgow’s Clyde River provides the perfect backdrop to any running pic posted on Instagram, while the magnificent and panoramic views from Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh will have all your friends and family on Instagram envying your running route, even those that exclusively run on treadmills.

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2. THE WORLD’S MOST PICTURESQUE RUNNING CITIES

London is the cream of the crop, pulling rank as the number one city worldwide for a running pic, with 96,414 hashtags including runs around Richmond Park (complete with cute deer in the background), up to North London’s Hampstead Heath and around its fantastic ponds (go for a dip if you dare) and even around East London’s artsy canals.

Following closely behind is the ‘Windy City’ of Chicago in the United States, an enormous 56,963 hashtags full of runners that enjoy getting their endorphins with a backdrop of the stunning Lake Michigan. The global top three is completed by Boston, America’s second feature in the global rankings, which comes in hot with 54,609 hashtags under #RunBoston, just under Chicago. Bostonians run all year round, but the Boston Marathon draws in around 30,000 entrants each year - with crowds of half a million coming to watch.

North America dominated the global most picturesque running cities, with 10 of the top 20 located in the States, and a further four located in Canada. Perhaps unsurprising when you look at the popularisation of running in America from the 1970’s onwards, and the role Nike had in improving amateur access to running.

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3. NORTH AMERICA’S MOST PICTURESQUE RUNNING CITIES

Chicago hails as the USA’s prettiest running city, with the Chicago Lakefront Trail rarely ever deserted and often described as the city's best running spot - an 18-mile path that winds alongside Lake Michigan and shows off some of the state’s most famous landmarks. There are 56,963 hashtags under #RunChicago, and as such it’s no surprise that its marathon is so popular - attracting 35,000 participants each year.

Boston came in just behind, with 54,609 hashtags under #RunBoston, and previously named as the third best running city in America by Runner’s World - while Houston followed. Texas’ temperature might mean runners certainly get a sweat on, but with $100 million dollars having been poured into revamping the state's parks and trails along the Bayous - it’s not short on epic views to accompany you while you run.

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4. EUROPE’S MOST PICTURESQUE RUNNING CITIES

London continues to hold rank as the most picturesque running city, taking the top spot on the European continent too. While Paris, often ranked as one of the prettiest cities in Europe, came out second in our rankings with an impressive 32,578 hashtags under #RunParis. Anyone looking for their Emily in Paris moment should run through the Jardin des Tuileries, which sits next to one of Paris’ most famous museums, the Louvre. Rather than a romantic stroll, runners can jog along the Seine or meander through world famous Versailles. There’s truly no end of impressive running routes in the city of love.

In third place in the European rankings is Berlin, with almost half the number of hashtags compared to Paris but still harnessing an enormous 28,568 posts under #RunBerlin. The Tiergarten is known as Berlin’s running capital, a 545-acre green space slap bang in the centre of the city and providing 14 different trails for walking/running. For tourists looking to explore the city in their running trainers, one of these trails showcases some of Berlin’s most important historical landmarks, including the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag Building.

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5. OCEANIA’S MOST PICTURESQUE RUNNING CITIES

The tropical continent of Oceania is a runner’s paradise, with coastal runs every jogging aficionado would be jealous of and lush parks scattered throughout its cities. Melbourne, with a plethora of waterfront options, soars above the other Oceanic cities in the rankings, landing in first place with 38,209 posts under the hashtag #RunMelbourne. The Capital City Trail snakes alongside the Yarra River, The Tran track is well known as a must for any city runners , and those wanting to get away from the city lights and out for a trail run should head to the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

Sydney follows behind, with less than half the number of posts under #RunSydney compared to Melbourne, but still has a respectable 15,199 images of people running from the coastal path and its vast beaches to the Harbour Bridge and past the Sydney Opera House. For getting out of the city, head to the Cooks River Trail or find the paths around the Chipping Norton Lake.

In third place is Geelong, just a one-hour drive from Melbourne and Victoria’s second city to feature in the top 10 most picturesque running locations in Oceania. With 6,777 posts under the #RunGeelong hashtag, there’s many options for a pretty run in the port city; the Waterfront path is the most famous, while the Barwon River Trails also offer attractive backdrops. Trail runners can get further out of the city by heading to the Waurn Ponds Creek Trail for a loop that takes them around the Creek and finishes in the suburbs of Belmont.

Two cities in New Zealand also feature in the top 10 Oceanic picturesque running cities, Wellington ranking sixth with 3,816 posts under #RunWellington and Auckland ranking seventh with 2,448 posts. New Zealand’s capital city Wellington’s running highlight comes in the form of Mount Victoria, one of the filming locations for Lord of the Rings, and Auckland’s running hotspots include incredible waterfront paths like Tamaki Drive and even a running route up a dormant volcano known as Mt. Eden.

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6. SOUTH AMERICA’S MOST PICTURESQUE RUNNING CITIES

Pulling rank as South America’s running city with the best backdrop is the colourful city of Bogota in Colombia. With 2,026 posts under the #RunBogota hashtag, this tropical capital city boasts a whole host of fun runs. Runners in the city are allowed to use the cycle lanes (in an effort to stay away from the traffic), and with parks like the Parque Virrey and Simon Bolivar – there’s plenty of green space to head to as well.

Santiago follows behind, with 839 posts under the #RunSantiago hashtag. Much like Bogota, the capital of Chile’s streets aren’t necessarily the place to run – so head to one of the numerous parks instead. Buenos Aires follows and completes the top three, 726 posts under #RunBuenosAires highlighting the city’s gorgeous running routes. The Puerto Madero docks are a fan favourite, alongside the Av. 9 de Julio - the world’s widest avenue - and the Parque Tres de Febrero.

While South America’s top three most picturesque cities are located in Colombia, Chile and Argentina, the top 10 is dominated by Brazilian cities, with 50% located in the South American country that brings in over six million tourists each year.

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7. ASIA’S MOST PICTURESQUE RUNNING CITIES

The bustling metropolis of Tokyo comes out on top for the Asian continent, with 10,195 posts under the #RunTokyo hashtag cementing it as Asia’s most picturesque running city. For tourists wanting to hit up some sights while they run, the inner city has some incredible historic landmarks you can loop past, like the Imperial Palace and lush Yoyogi Park. For a little extra nature, head to Odaiba Island, and there’s even numerous Tokyo 2020 Olympic venues you can visit to live out a real athletic moment.

The capital of South Korea comes in second, with 7,661 posts under the #RunSeoul hashtag showing off the impressive city’s favourite running trails. There’s a tonne of routes around the Olympic Park, striking runs along the Han River and the Namsan mountain, a 1.4km true oasis in the city centre. Rounding out the top three is Dubai, the biggest city in the United Arab Emirates. Jog along the postcard perfect Dubai Marina, or the vast expanse of Jumeirah Beach – just don’t forget your water, it can be extremely hot here.

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8. AFRICA’S MOST PICTURESQUE RUNNING CITIES

Hot on the heels of some of the other most picturesque global running cities is Lagos, with 15,005 posts under #RunLagos, and the hashtag flooded with shots from the famous marathon that takes place each year. A crowd favourite for running is a route that takes you over the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, while a loop of Banana Island will give city runners their fix and paths along the Lekki beaches will give coastal runners theirs.

Following Lagos is fan-favourite holiday destination Cape Town in South Africa. With 7,361 posts under the hashtag #RunCapeTown, the dazzling coastline provides no end of spectacular routes. Lion’s Head in Table Mountain Park has to be the absolute pinnacle of all though, a natural highlight nestled amongst the trails that snake through the botanical gardens and the coastal runs on offer.

Finalising the top three most picturesque running cities for Africa is the magnificent, historical destination of Cairo. The Egyptian city has 2,053 posts under the hashtag #RunCairo and though at first it doesn’t appear to be the best city for running, you’d be surprised to discover some of the lesser-known spots that runners here tend to love. Head to Gezira Island, or even take yourself onto the perimeter roads surrounding the Pyramids for a run you won’t forget anytime soon.

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Hopefully this has encouraged you to don your running shoes and hit the streets of your own city, or explore foreign cities by foot. Whether it’s a run on your own turf, or a jog while you’re abroad, make sure that you’re kitted up with everything you need to run safely. Explore our running hub for tips and advice, pick up a new pair of comfy running trainers or some running clothing and make sure you’ve got any accessories that’ll help you keep your best stride. For anyone looking for a new sports bra to wear while they workout, take a look at our new bra finder tool too, to make sure you’re getting the right kind of support for your workout.

Methodology

We counted over 1 million hashtags on Instagram, looking at #Run{City} along with its translated counterparts for over 600 cities around the globe. We then analysed the data to reveal which city has the most running pictures posted on the photo-sharing app to crown the most picturesque location for runners.

All data correct as of March 2022.

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