Saturday Morning Runs

Winter runs start from Johnson Park, Grove 4 Parking Lot from - During this period we will be starting from Grove 4 in Johnson Park about 0.5 miles east of Landing Lane past the Route 18 bridge. 

Late Spring/Summer time runs start at Johnson Park, Grove 5 - Summer Saturday runs start at 8am to help avoid the heat of the day. We typically meet at the parking lot near Grove 5, across from the Rutgers Football Stadium. 

Fall Runs- Generally start from Grove 4 in Johnson Park, but may alternate with another location due to Rutgers game closures.  Always check our event calendar (on the homepage), and our Facebook group page for location changes.

Transitions and Times
The dates aren't hard and fast. In Spring and Fall, the location and start times vary, depending on whether the restrooms at Grove 5 are open or if there are Rutgers games that impact access. Check this page or your weekly email for the latest details.  Generally the club follows:  8 am start during daylight savings time and 9 am start during standard time.

Alternate site during closures
If Johnson Park is closed because of floods, deep snow, football games, special events, etc., we will obtain an alternate occasion and post this.  If our designated location is available and this is not known ahead of time, early runners will often announce this on our Facebook group page.  When this occurs, we will generally park in the Tennis Court lot on River Road.  If this lot is full, please do not park on the grass--find parking at one of the other groves or street parking in Highland Park nearby.

Where we run

The Delaware & Raritan Canal Towpath, a State Park, is one of the best running experiences in New Jersey. It is flat by design and mostly smooth because the Park repairs flood damage by spreading a medium-grained crushed red shale that is delightful to run on. There are many birds and other wildlife to see and seasonal wildflowers to encourage a meditative state on an easy long run. You can run forever. But don’t feel pressured to do so. You can run as little or as far as you want. This does not have to be your “long run,” but it will surely be your most pleasurable. The run is out-and-back from Landing Lane. Typical distances vary from 3 to over 20 miles and runners of all levels and speeds are welcome!  Restrooms are available at the start (Grove 4 or Grove 5).

Parallel to Johnson Park is River Road, which is the southern limit of Rutgers’ Busch Campus. Many different roads on the Busch and Livingston Campuses of Rutgers allow loops of ~3ish to 7 miles, which we call “Dragon loops.” If ice or flood damage makes the Towpath hazardous these loops are particularly popular.

Running through Highland Park and on the New Brunswick College Avenue Campus are also options.  A real treat is the Rutgers Eco Preserve on the corner of River Road and Cedar Lane (approximately 1 mile from Grove 4).  The Eco Preserve features miles of dirt trails with changes in elevation.  This area was used as a military staging area during WWII.

Post Run Eats

Join us for brunch after the run! We usually head to a local restaurants including the Fontainbleau Diner in Piscataway or Ellinikon Agora, Greek Market in Highland Park for some food and socializing. The restaurant choice(s) are typically decided at the Saturday Club Run. 

More about the Towpath

History of D & R Canal