HawthorneVillager.com

I am wondering if any runners here have advice or suggestions about good routes to use during the winter. I prefer to stay on the black paved bicycle paths or sidwalks for my runs, and generally use the square of Louis St. Laurent, Thompson, Derry and James Snow Parkway presently, with a few off-shoots. I typically run a 10km route, and don't mind re-tracing some parts of the run to achieve it.

So, with the winter months coming, I'm wondering what routes seem to be best cleared for running when the snow starts to fly? I've winter run in the past, and just want to avoid running on streets themselves, and want to avoid icy routes that pose problems. Using the treadmill indoors is an option, but its just very boring for a 40-minute run.

Any suggestions are appreciated. Even if the routes aren't immediately in Hawthorne Village. Thanks!

I have a few routes mapped out for different distances but I really do not know what they will be like for winter as I have yet to be a winter runner yet. Hopefully this is the year! That being said there is a great tool I have used to map out different runs which may help. It is called www.mapmyrun.com I hope that helps you out a bit.

Thanks - I've used MapMyRun.com before as well. I actually use a Garmin Forerunner for my runs, so a mapping tool isn't necessary for me anymore.

If anyone has local wintertime running experience, and can provide suggestions on good or bad routes to use, I'd love to hear it.

Hi MM2000GTS - I can tell you that I have run that route you mentioned many times. Last winter in the thick of all the snow the black path was often NEVER clear. I would "Try" to run on the sidewalk, but again...every few houses the driveway was not cleared and full of snow and ice.

THEN...when you try to cross the street, the snow plows that clear the roadway pile up HUGE amounts of snow so that you have to either be 1. good at hurdles to get over them, or 2. climb over them leading to mounds of snow/ice in your runners.

It was very frustrating. From about mid-january on I took to running along the roadways...at least they have to be cleared. Just wear bright colours and reflective gear...and watch out for the slush and angry drivers.

Fingers crossed this winter the town will decide to clear the paths! I LOVE running outside in the winter

Hi MM2000GTS and other posters

You might also want to check with the Milton runners at www.miltonrunners.com regarding what routes they recommend.

Also I have attached the sidewalk snow clearing map to indicate what sidewalks and walkways are plowed.

http://maps.milton.ca/eng/go?continue=Continue

Hope this helps.

Colin Best
Local & regional councillor
Milton/Halton
www.colinbest.ca

Thanks for the responses. This is a good starting point.

From what I can see from the map Colin Best has provided, it looks as though James Snow Parkway, Louis St. Laurent and Thompson are all classified as "Primary" for sidewalk snow control. Based upon KJD's post about Louis St. Laurent never being cleared, hopefully this winter will be different. Even if just JSP and LSL are cleared, that would give a 3.6km route that could be looped a couple of times.

Personally, I'm not a fan of running on the road itself, particularly if the street is narrowed in the winter due to snowbanks. I'm sure there will be some paths cleared this winter - if anyone spots some particularly good ones that are consistently in good shape, I'd love to hear about them.

Thanks again.

Here is a picture of LSL on Jan.27/08 - you can see the black path to the right is not cleared at all. The sidewalk 'has been' cleared at times, but is not currently clear of snow. Although the snow is not the bad part...the bad part is the snow banks when you have to cross the roads.

Fingers crossed the sidewalk plows actually plow an access to allow pedestrians/runners to cross the street.

I too would be interested to hear from others as to 'clear' running paths...so keep this thread updated.

I see your point, and know that spot well. Perhaps on Derry and JSP they will plow the black paved paths, as they are the only pedestrian ways on those roads, whereas on LSL there are both paved bike paths and sidewalks.

Oh well, we'll just have to wait and see.

So - I was looking through my old posts and came across this one. I think you can all thank me for us have so little snow this winter. After my complaining about the lack of snow clearing - we had hardly a flake in milton this year!!! AND - I was able to run outside all winter long without any problem whatsoever!!!

That being said....anyone running a spring Marathon??? I have Mississauga Marathon on the race schedule...only 33 days away!!!

^^^ Agreed - I was able to run outdoors on Louis St. Laurent, Thompson, Derry and James Snow Parkway paths all winter without any issues. It was great!