Type: Track, Loop
Difficulty: 2 / 10
Altitude: 150 ft
Dog Friendly: No
Jog-Stroller Friendly: Unknown
Filed Under: Running
In May of 1995, Duniway Park became the site of the first track of its kind. The state-of-the-art 440yd track surface is made from recycled rubber, including over 20,000 lbs. of athletic shoe soles donated by Nike, Inc. The old track was even reconstituted and applied as the foundation for the new track. The dedication ceremony for the new track included three-time New York Marathon winner Alberto Salazar and 100 children running a 'Victory Lap' around the track.
If you want to run on a track, Duniway park track is a nice place to do it. The track is located in the downtown area, but has enough trees around it that you don't feel like you are running in the city. The track is not all that well lighted at night, but there is a large bright digital clock which makes it easy to keep track of your lap times.
Many people use the track as a starting off point for runs on the wide bike path alongside Terwilliger Blvd. Terwilliger is mostly a gradual climb up to the charthouse at 4km. There are distance markers at 2 km and at the Charthouse, 4km. There are a couple of drinking fountains on Terwilliger. If you want, you can continue running on Terwilliger past the Charthouse. The bike path continues all the way to Tryon Creek Park at 9km and Lake Oswego at about 13km.
If you feel like going for a really long run you can hook up with the Marquam trail (which is part of the 70 mile Rose City Relay Course). This trail intersects Terwilliger at about the 3 km point. If you head up hill it is a little over 3 miles to reach Forest Park and the start of the wildwood trail. You can also take a different route through Himes park and down to Willamette Park.
Duniway Park is located at Fourth & Sheridan on the south end of downtown Portland. A large digital clock keeps lap times and a drinking fountain are close by. What more could a runner ask for?
Posted by: tradkelly and last modified on Feb 02, 2006 by thoos
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