Chicago boasts a unique running culture. And while big names like the Lakefront Trail and Chicago Marathon get most of the credit, each neighborhood boasts its own routes and culture, including our very own Logan Square. With the recent Bank of America Chicago 13.1 route running through nearby Humboldt Park and other West Side locales, we wanted to highlight some of the best paths in our own neighborhood. Here are our picks for the best Logan Square Running Routes.

Ideally, a running route avoids streets with heavy foot traffic or too many crosswalks. Stopping often or constantly navigating around other pedestrians or strollers can take away from achieving the perfect runner’s high. Traveling a loop rather than an “out-and-back” route is also a great way to make the miles go by faster. This is by no means a comprehensive list of routes in Logan Square, so if you have a favorite running route in the neighborhood reach out and let us know!

Logan Boulevard Loop

Distance: ~1.5 miles

The boulevard “loop” starts at the Centennial Monument and heads down either the north or south sidewalks of Logan Boulevard, up to Maplewood Avenue, by St. John Berchmans Church (2519 W. Logan Blvd.), then crossing to head down the opposite sidewalks of the boulevard. 

With only two streetlight stops (at Sacramento and Kimball avenoues), this roughly 1.5-mile loop allows for a relatively consistent run, which is always a plus in city running. Wide sidewalks allow space to pass strollers or walkers and many beautiful homes and gardens to admire make this an ideal route. The beautiful canopy of trees provides shade the whole way, which makes this my personal favorite route. 

Pro tip: Doing this route on a Sunday morning means lots of extra Farmers Market foot traffic, but, also the potential for a postrun sweet treat.

Palmer Park Loop 

Distance: 0.5 miles

Wherever you start, making your way to Palmer Park (2200 N. Kedzie Ave.) is never a bad idea. The loop around the perimeter of the park runs right around 0.5 miles. Running in circles may be your worst nightmare, but the towering trees and people picnicking, slacklining, or hammock-ing during the summer provide ample people-watching as you make your way around the loop. Another plus: this loop’s a dirtlike surface can be easier on the joints than running on sidewalks. 

Pro tip: Miko’s Italian Ice (2236 N. Sacramento Ave.), right around the corner, provides the perfect way to replenish your glucose levels and quench your thirst on a hot day. 

Shubert Route: Kosciuszko Park Loop To Unity Park

Distance: ~1.5 miles

If you haven’t yet walked, biked, rollerbladed or run around the paved loop at Kosciuszko Park (2732 N. Avers Ave.), you’re missing out on an awesome place to do so. With tennis courts, dog park, and ninja park, there are lots of amenities at this park. However, rather than just knocking out laps here, try running down the stretch of Schubert Avenue that connects Kosciuszko to Unity Park (2636 N. Kimball Ave.). This loop ends up stretching about 1.5 miles, with mostly shaded sidewalks and no tremendously busy streets to cross. 

Kedzie To Humboldt Boulevard Loop

Distance: ~2.5 miles

Running down this boulevard in the summer feels like moving through a tunnel of trees. With the green canopy above you, beautiful homes beside you, wide sidewalks below foot and only a couple stoplights to interrupt your strdie, the Kedzie Boulevard to Humboldt Boulevard loop offers runners a great route.

The loop can start anywhere along Kedzie Boulevard and goes from the Centennial Monument, through Palmer Park (2200 N. Kedzie Ave.), all the way to Humboldt Park (1400 N. Humboldt Dr.). The attached route photo turns around just a block past the 606 trail, but, if you continue, you end up at Humboldt Park. The loop consists of staying on either the east or west side of the boulevard and then going down the opposite side on the way back.

Connect this loop with the Palmer Park or Logan Boulevard loop for a great long run.

Featured photo: Jamilah Maronde