Running is an easy and cheap way to keep fit at university; it’s fun, invigorating and rewarding to see your fitness improving with each run. Exeter’s beautiful campus and historic city provide ample opportunities to make running enjoyable, particularly if you can find a running buddy to keep fit with you. For those new to university, it is an ideal way to explore your home for the next three years.
Whilst the infamous hills of Exeter can be off putting, they are great for your legs, or the ‘Exeter thighs’ as they are sometimes known. It’s almost impossible to avoid all hills whilst running but it is possible to cut out the major ones (cardiac hill is a no go!) This short guide should give you some ideas of where to start, on and off campus.
On campus:
For those living in Exeter halls or Lafrowda way, there is a beautiful, little known, route through the wooded area behind the business school. Head towards the pond and then up on the footpaths for a run through the autumn leaves. This takes you up to Pennsylvania road where it finishes in a loop with a nice downhill back to campus. A great run for the morning, before the hive of campus activity begins. Alternatively, behind the sports park is a large green area good for running. There is a footpath here which leads to the fields behind the sports park for a longer route. There is a little known about outside gym to add a bit of variety to your run. This is more ideal for those in Holland or Mardon.
Off campus:
Exeter has a plethora of parks and green spaces to mix road running with some prettier gardens. Northernhay Gardens are situated between campus and town and provide more pleasant running to some of the road running in Exeter. Interestingly it is the oldest public open space in the country and has panoramic views towards the university and beyond. Rougemont Gardens can also be accessed through here. Northenhay Gardens also provide a particularly useful cut through to the other side of town.
The best (and flattest!) place to run in Exeter has got to be along the quay. Although it often involves running through town to get there, once by the water you can follow the canal for miles before reaching the open water. You’ll pass dog walkers, keen runners and cyclists on this popular route. If you’re on Birks/Duryard side of campus, the quay and back is a nice 7km run. Do it on a weekend and there will be plenty of activity to enjoy on a well deserved coffee break once you get there!
A fantastic 10km route is to go from St German’s road in halls accommodation to Double Locks pub, where you can rehydrate before heading back to campus. This route is less busy than others along the quay and means you have a clear mid-way point at the pub. From campus, head to the high street and then take the footpath behind the cathedral to the quay. This way you can avoid the tourists and still enjoy the traditional buildings around cathedral green. Once at the quay, jog over the bridge and turn left to run along the beautiful waterfront. If you fancy a much longer route, continue on to Turf locks, which is where the canal meets the River Exe. Here and back will take you 20km if you are starting on campus.
Groups to Join:
Exeter is full of runners of all abilities. Hosting the Great West Run as well as RockSolid race and various other 5k and 10k runs, running attracts beginners trying to get a bit fitter, to those super keen marathon runners seen miles the other side of the quay. Running clubs are a great way to keep you motivated and committed to running. Exeter University has a ‘red sock run’ every Friday morning, starting at 7.30am outside the Great Hall. £3 gets you a lovely pair of red socks and the money goes to charity.
Another new running group is Nike Running by Sweatshop who is now holding two club evenings for beginners and intermediates, on a Monday and Tuesday. Both clubs start at 6.15 and are free to join.
Now, it’s one thing starting running, and another to keep committed to it. There are lots of apps now available to help runners keep a log of their progress as well as websites such as mapmyrun where runners can find other routes across their home or university town. Wherever you go, make sure you keep hydrated and remember to stretch as well, no one likes aching muscles the next day!
Images:
exeter.gov.uk
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