Sydney's Top 10 Runs

1 The harbour loop - Iron Cove

Your blood will flow lucid like the mighty Parramatta River on completing the seven-kilometre Bay Run loop around Iron Cove that takes in the sights of riverside Rozelle, Lilyfield, Haberfield, Five Dock, Rodd Point and Russell Lea. The route is mostly flat, includes the Iron Cove Bridge and if you think you're competitive, an official Bay Run race happens each year. The next is Sunday 27 July.
See The Bay Run for map

2 The coastal run - Bondi to Coogee

The five-kilometre Bondi to Coogee presents you with prime seaside Sydney. Begin at Bondi Beach and head south, to Notts Avenue, then along the coastal path to MacKenzie's Bay then to Bronte via Tamarama. Wave at winter swimmers as you swing past the quieting waters of Clovelly and Gordon's Bay, followed by stark Dunningham Reserve headland, until suddenly you're on Coogee Beach. Then all you've got to do is run back. Perfect.
Bondi Beach south to Coogee Beach

3 The sea eagle run - Manly to North Head

Start from the ferry wharf in Manly and follow the mall to the beach. Turn right and move along the Esplanade until you've reached the coastal path to Shelly Beach. Double back until you're at Bower Lane - follow the lane through Bower Street to Reddall Street, opt left for Addison Road and take it until you intercept the North Head Scenic Drive. This takes you down to secluded lookouts along the cliffs. The ocean views are well worth the 4km down, while the 4km back to Manly are worthy of a good rest.
Manly to North Head and return to Manly.

4 Olympic Glory - Olympic Park

Pretend you're Cathy Freeman and pound the pavement of Sydney's Olympic Park, home to many major Sydney running events, scenery and myriad landmarks so coated in national pride, they drip with it. The running tracks are limitless and the traffic-free space is a draw card for running clubs. We recommend you consult the web and plan your route.
See Sydney Olympic Park:Running for maps and running events

5 Go bush - Lane Cove National Park

Want to go running in the bush right in the heart of the city? If so, you're like the numerous others who've chosen the Lane Cove National Park for inner-city bush-running pursuits. The park provides tracks including the Fiddens Wharf and Riverside walking tracks. Each is enveloped in eucalypts and overlooked by kookaburras and lorikeets. It's the right kind of serene locale to get the heart pounding.
Lane Cove National Park, Lane Cove Rd, Lane Cove 2066

6 Northern lights - Barrenjoey Lighthouse

If your one true love is the sea, this 3.5km dash around Barrenjoey Lighthouse is poised to please. Views of ocean unmatched on earth start at the Beach Road bus stop. Run north toward Barrenjoey Head on the road hugging the golf course. Once in the carpark, hit Station Beach and steam north. The sand runs out as a sign marked ‘Barrenjoey Head' presents itself. There are two tracks: note that Smugglers Track is a wee bit steeper and is better appreciated downhill. The alternative surrenders you to a scenic sensorium - 360 degrees of Pacific Ocean, Pittwater, Palm Beach and Lion Island. Go back via Smugglers Track and return to the bus stop.
To Barrenjoey Lighthouse and back. Beach Road, Palm Beach

7 The point push - Cremorne Point Circuit

Start at Cremorne Point wharf, head uphill to your left and slip through the wooden fence. You're on picnic turf now, so keep moving with your eye out for a green picket fence. Follow this - you'll be MacCallum Pool-side and the views are news to the scenic-minded. Follow the main path to the end, cut through Bogata Avenue and hit the stairs running. Cross Milson's Road to the stairs then stay true to Hodgson Avenue where even more stairs return you to the Cremorne Point path. Turn right, follow the fringe of Mosman Bay and three paths appear: the left takes you to zoo views, another to a 1904 lighthouse. Some final stairs complete the theme and return you to where it began.
Cremorne Point Wharf, Milson Rd, Cremorne Point

8 The pool to pool - North Sydney

Does sightseeing Sydney Harbour in quicktime constitute your idea of a good time? This dash is catnip to the urban hot-footer, kicking off at North Sydney Pool. Jog over the Harbour Bridge, chase the Cahill Expressway and arrive at Circular Quay footloose and worry-free. What remains of the run closely follows Sydney Botanic Parkland. On the far side of Farm Cove you'll encounter a sandstone overhang where the path forks - take the lower trail and visit Mrs. Macquarie's Chair. The same trail should spear you toward Andrew Boy Charlton Pool. From North Sydney Pool, Alfred Street South, Milsons Point 2061 to Andrew Boy Charlton Pool, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney

9 The Two-Bay - Double Bay to Rose Bay

If you generally follow the shoreline without heading off around Point Piper, this is 4km of easy, sea-breezy cardio, replete with water-views. It's historic, too - end your sojourn at Rose Bay wharf, which was a seaplane airport during WWII. Double Bay to Rose Bay.
From Steyne Park, William St, Double Bay 2028 to Lyne Park, New South Head Road, Rose Bay

10 The Lake Laps - Chipping Norton Lakes

For the southwest runner, it's hard to look past Chipping Norton Lakes. Paths course around the 120 acres of picturesque lake, and for those fans of our avian brothers there is a cavalcade of birds to be found in the vicinity: pardalote, sacred ibis, purple swamphens - even ducks!
Chipping Norton Lakes, Homestead Ave, Chipping Norton 2170

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