Cool Runnings

Home to the world’s largest marathon, New York City is legendary running territory, with routes stretching from Staten Island to Central Park and iconic sights around every corner. At Equinox Hotel, Hudson Yards, runners have a prime base for pounding the pavement, plus all the tools needed to recover well: lymphatic drainage massages, infrared saunas, cryotherapy, sleep-optimized rooms and a performance-focused pool. Then there’s the Vessel Run, Equinox’s own test of stamina, sending runners up 2,500 steps across 154 zigzagging flights inside Hudson Yards’ 16-story, honeycomb-shaped landmark. It’s a distinctly New York way to get your heart racing.

Laguna Beach makes a run feel more like a day at the beach. Just an hour from Los Angeles, routes wind along rugged cliffs, sandy beaches and tucked-away coves, with the Pacific shining beyond. Perched directly on the water, Surf & Sand Laguna Beach puts low-tide beach runs, the bluffs of Heisler Park and the trails of Laguna Coast Wilderness Park within easy reach. Add fresh ocean air in your lungs, California sunshine overhead and incredible views around every bend, and an extra mile is almost impossible to resist.

Running in the Dolomites is a trail runner’s dream. Morning sun spills across jagged ridgelines, the valleys glow at dusk, and the hours in between are made for steep climbs and flowing descents through pine forests, alpine meadows and towering limestone peaks. At Cyprianerhof in the heart of South Tyrol, trails begin right outside the door, with experienced running guides on hand to help with everything from technique and pacing to the best local routes. Then comes the reward: an award-winning spa, gourmet dining and the kind of alpine comfort that makes tackling another mountain tomorrow feel like a great idea.

It’s hard to imagine a more aptly named running destination than Marathon, Florida. The storied Seven Mile Bridge stretches from Knight’s Key to Little Duck Key, with panoramic Florida Keys views in every direction. Each April, the 7-Mile Bridge Run gives runners the rare thrill of racing while completely surrounded by water from start to finish. At Isla Bella Beach Resort, race weekend gets an extra boost with a Runner’s Recovery Welcome Kit, a stretch session at The Spa at Isla Bella and a lululemon running belt. Set across 24 oceanfront acres, the resort also hosts weekly guided runs across the famous bridge. Because when you’re in a town called Marathon, you might as well commit to the bit.

Paris was made for exploring on two feet—and somehow looks even better at running pace. Follow the Seine past the Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, the Louvre and Notre-Dame, or set off from Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg, where the prestigious Faubourg Saint-Honoré makes a perfect launchpad for exploring some of the city’s best routes. Cross Place de la Concorde, weave through the flower-filled paths of the Tuileries and loop back along the Champs-Élysées before logging your journey on Strava. Afterward, enjoy a well-earned brunch at Maison Blossom, followed by a spa treatment. Because running through Paris deserves a little joie de vivre.

Patagonia doesn’t really do ordinary runs. At explora Patagonia, deep inside Torres del Paine National Park, the trails stretch across windswept grasslands and ancient forests, with snow-capped granite peaks, bottle-blue glacial rivers and towering ice fields appearing around every turn. Keep an eye out for guanacos and soaring Andean condors along the way (they make surprisingly impressive running companions). Back at the all-inclusive lodge, unwind with a spa treatment, plush accommodations and locally inspired cuisine. Out here, wild adventure and quiet luxury go hand in hand.

The article’s cover photo features explora Patagonia.

Maui is a beach runner’s paradise. From the long stretches of pristine sand at Kaanapali and Kanaha to coastal and volcanic trails ranked among the island’s top bucket-list adventures, there’s no shortage of ways to get moving. The 1.5-mile Wailea Beach Path makes for a spectacular sunrise run, winding past five crescent-shaped beaches with the Pacific stretching out beyond. Just steps from the path, Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort puts runners in the thick of it with its Kilolani Run Club, celebrating the island one mile at a time. When it’s time to slow the pace, nine pools and a picture-perfect beachfront make unwinding effortless, while tennis courts, beach yoga and scuba clinics keep the day active.

Mont-Tremblant may be famous for its storybook ski-village, but the resort town has plenty of tricks up its sleeve once the snow melts. During spring, summer and fall, the Laurentians become a playground for trail runners, with an endless network of beautiful routes through Mont-Tremblant National Park. Plus, each August, the Mont-Tremblant Half Marathon brings runners together for a race through the region’s spectacular landscapes. At the foot of the peaks, Fairmont Tremblant puts you right in the middle of the action, blending old Québec charm with easy access to the great outdoors. When the legs call for a day off, trade trail miles for yoga, hydrotherapy, watersports or a round of championship golf.

Vancouver’s iconic seawall plays host to runs of every kind, from leisurely sunrise jogs to the internationally renowned BMO Vancouver Marathon. The 17-mile waterfront greenway—one of the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront paths—winds through Stanley Park, past shimmering shorelines, picturesque beaches and lively restaurants, all framed by breathtaking mountain views. Just five minutes from the harbor, Fairmont Pacific Rim is perfectly positioned for a post-run reset: seasonally inspired plates and creative cocktails at Botanist, followed by a dip in the rooftop pool overlooking the North Shore mountains. It’s as scenic as a training plan gets.

Lisbon has hills, sunshine and plenty of reasons to explore on foot—but why stick to street level? At Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, runners can chase the ultimate high on the hotel’s one-of-a-kind, 1,300-foot rooftop running track, soaring above the city and blissfully removed from the crowds, traffic and cobblestones below. Pair your strides with panoramic views across Eduardo VII Park, Lisbon’s Old Town and the Tagus River, while the Portuguese capital comes alive from every direction. Head out early, catch the city waking up and savor the rare sensation of having Lisbon all to yourself—that’s what feeling on top of the world is all about.