Whether you are a regular runner or wish to take up running as a new activity, finding a running track can help get you moving. There is something motivating about running in a professional environment among other runners who are pushing themselves to meet their goals. When you move to a new area, or travel for business or pleasure, it is important to keep up your running regimen. There are a few steps that you can take to make this mission easy so that you can get to running as soon as possible.
Expand your runs to places outside of running tracks to keep from getting bored with your workouts. Outdoor trails can make for interesting and beautiful running locations if the weather is cooperative. Trail running can also help stretch the limits of your muscles because you are not running on the flat, level surface that is provided by a running track.
Contact the local parks district in the city where you wish to find a running track. Many cities maintain both indoor and outdoor tracks that are free to be used by the public. Some running track facilities might charge a fee for usage, such as a monthly or yearly membership fee. Determine whether the track is worth the money by looking at it, or trying it out, before spending money on it.
Call, or simply stop by, local schools in the area to find out if their running tracks are available for use by the public. High schools, colleges, universities and some elementary schools have tracks that are open for public use all of the time, or in the afternoons, evenings and on weekends. Talk to a school official to gain permission to utilize the track.
Tour gyms in the area to find a running track that you can use whenever the gym is open. It might be necessary to join the gym before you can use it on a regular basis, but ask about a visitor's pass if you are only in town for a short period of time.
Utilize an online running route finder, such as the one on the website for "Runner's World" magazine, to find a running track in your area. These route finders allow you to input information about where you are located and the specifications of the running route you wish to find; you'll be provided with a list of suitable matches in your vicinity.
Talk to locals in your area about running tracks that can be used by the public. Striking up a conversation about this topic can also help you learn more about the area that you live in, and the culture and attitude of the locals toward runners. This can be useful information if you plan to run in the same area for any length of time.