Fast Running Blog

I am taking my wife to Disneyland this weekend for her birthday, and was wondering if any of you know a good safe route near the park, or if there are any good trails nearby.  Any help would be much appreciated! 

Preston,

When I was there a few years ago, we stayed on the east side of the park and I ran over to the Santa Ana River (concrete spillway) bike trail a few times.  Lots of bikers, a couple of runners, and a bunch of homeless guys.  I sure wouldn't want my wife running by herself on it, but I imagine a guy or group of people are fine. 

Rob (robrohde) just spent like a week or more there recently. You might want to send him a message.

How sketchy was the Santa Ana River Trail? I am kind of picturing it like the Jordan River Parkway north of 3300 So.  Is that about what it is like?

And thanks for the info Jake, I will message him.

I'm not familiar with Jordan River Parkway.

It was a bit sketchy.  Like I said, I was cautious and aware running by myself, but I went there 4 or 5 times to apparently not too worried.  But I wouldn't really want my wife on it alone.

It also depended where you were.  If you started at the Anaheim Angel's stadium and ran south, it was fairly nice for a few miles- ran along a golf course, etc.  North seemed a bit sketchier.  But then after a few miles going south, it changed, too.

I decided it was worth it to not run concrete around the park, though.

Growing up in Anaheim in the 60s and 70s, my house was right on the Santa Ana River Trail - or "the bike trail" as we called it. It was really safe then.

Of course my info could be a little dated. Near Disneyland? I'd say the hotel treadmill.

I was there last month and just did laps around the outside of the park.  Each lap is 3.5 miles. 

I lived in SoCal for a decade and would definitely not want my wife running the River Trail on her own (wouldn't sweat it with a group).  Also, if you're not familiar with "Anacrime", I'd stick to a treadmill or run in circles near the park-for it's easy to wander into a sketchy area. 

I guess the thing is I probably run in a place considered unsafe by most Utahns every day, after all . . . I am from West Valley  ;D

That trail is totally safe,  I ran it at least 15 times at 5:00am and never had an issue.  Running up Katella to get there was a little sketchy but no one ever bothered me, you can drive up and park in the Honda Stadium parking lot if you don't want to dodge traffic getting there.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/64555149

Everywhere is safe at 5 am cause everyone is asleep, even the bad guys :)  Just the crazy runners are up and about.

My wife who grew up in Long Beach who lived near that trail would never run it alone ever...she made me post it and say, "why take a chance?" 

Would you and your wife recommend only females not run it alone?  Or males, too?

John, good point.  My wife thinks I'd be fine, but is uncomfortable as a female- no homes, traffic, or people nearby at points to hear a cry for help.  She's experienced a "flasher" on a trail (different place on SoCal) which has caused her to be more cautious about running in isolated areas.