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If you are tired of using the same run of the mill ways of finding running routes around your neighborhood (word of mouth, google, running clubs, etc.), several new tried and true routes are as easy to find as clicking through a popular social media outlet. Here are a few high traffic sites (which are non-running and sports specific) that you may have left untapped. All of these sites have proven to be good sources in my own search for new routes to romp through.
Yelp.com (http://yelp.com) – Traditionally known as a foodie or shopping junkie site, Yelp is also a good place to find local parks, routes, and trails for running enthusiasts. Once you happen upon an interesting reviewer with enthusiastic trail running reviews, you can follow them for more information and places to run. You can check out elite Yelpers in the topic section “Daily Runner’s Log” to get you started off on the right foot.
Foursquare (http://foursquare.com/) – For hardcore social media junkies / runners Foursquare is a good place to track down other runners by simply “checking in” where you run and looking at other runner suggestions for routes and tips on that particular location. Several trails around Griffith Park have tips on Foursquare like this venue here.
Twitter (http://twitter.com) – Using third party Twitter applications like Tweeple.ml is a good way to target local users as well as other running enthusiasts to be able to chat about local running routes and races till the cows come home.
Social Site of Your Choice – You don’t have to sign up to runner or workout specific sites like DailyMile.com or IMathlete.com to add yet another social media outlet to the myriad of Facebook-like accounts you already have. Take whichever site you are already actively on and run (pun intended) a few searches for topical forums and reviews on running related topics. Why reinvent the social media circle slash wheel when you can carve our your own running community on your favorite site?
