One of the things that I really like about Raleigh is the Greenway System (there's a link for a map on the right under the heading "Greenway Resources"). These are basically cleared paths or trails that are located around the city. Probably my favorite is the "Reedy Creek Trail" (aka the greenway by the Meredith College and the Art Museum) because there are cool designs painted on the pavement (I look down a lot when I run), and there is some artwork dispersed along the path (which forces me to look up... much better form). If you start at Faircloth Rd., it's a nice 5 mile loop out to the Art Museum and back. However, it is kind of hilly, which is not so nice.
I am also a fan of the Crabtree-Oak Park / Crabtree Valley / Ironwood / Shelly Lake trails. You can easily pick up this system from the Crabtree Valley Mall, and it's a good run out and around Shelly Lake and back (the loop around Shelly Lake is ~2 miles, and there's a water fountain there). The Lake Johnson greenway is also nice, and just a hop, skip, and a jump away from NCSU. There's a ~3 mile paved path around one side, and a dirt trail around the other (I think the total mileage of both sides is close to a 10k). Also, if you're looking to do 1k intervals, the dirt path (on the non-boat-house-side) from Avent Ferry to right before the path turns (you'll see a bridge on you're left) is about that distance. From Main Campus, Lake Johnson is ~3 miles away, and ~2.25 miles from Centennial Campus (if you head down Avent Ferry).
However, some of the greenways are kind of secluded, and I am a little nervous to run on a few by myself (I'm thinking parts of the "Rocky Branch Trail"... aka the greenway by Dorethea Dix)... so bring a friend! #20
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