On the Run In…Red Deer, Alberta

Alberta’s third largest city Red Deer is a hidden gem for residents and runners alike. Those who settle here – halfway between Edmonton and Calgary – find it a comfortable small city of 90,000 nestled in central Alberta parkland.

In surveys, residents always rate the city’s river park system, a legacy of the original Alberta Heritage Fund, as a key attraction. Runners certainly agree with that assessment. Over 80K of asphalt and natural surface trails wind up and down the Red Deer River valley, with many connecting links to neighbouring parks and residential areas.

Looking for a track workout? Visit the regulation 400m Legion Track, on the grounds of Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School. In winter, the 290m indoor track at the Collicutt Centre can suffice, though its turns are tight.

The Routes

Short – 4.5k

Up Around the Bend

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Take it easy on a flat loop or challenge yourself to repeated rolling hills – or combine the two – at the city-owned Riverbend Golf Course. Drive north on 30 Ave / Range Road 272 to the Riverbend entrance, enter and park in a gravel lot on your right at the bottom of the hill. Find the trailhead and head out. On a hot summer day, nothing beats the soft, pine needle trail that meanders through woods with glimpses of the river. You will come out near Discovery Canyon water play park. From here, follow the main golf course road back to your starting point. If you’re looking for a hill workout, add in the steep hills of the cross-country ski trails immediately south of the golf course. (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4261125) The hills add 3 km and plenty of vertical to your route. There are a few shortcuts if you get part way into the hills circuit and decide to bail. The dirt and grass surfaces are mostly smooth and flat but in wet weather you will want trail shoes.

Medium – 10k

Circle the Centre

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This route takes you on a loop around the city centre – located in the river valley – with a brief leg across the South Hill. Start at Rotary Park and head south up the winding ravine to 32 St. From here, you have a less than charming leg westward along the sidewalk, with three street crossings, then just before Taylor Drive turn right and you’re back into parks, on the Devonian Trail. It winds north to 43 St. Turn left (west) and follow 43 St. to 55 Ave. Pick up the pedestrian / bike trailhead beside a small gas utility building, west of the service station. Go right at the first trail junction and follow the South Trail northwest along the riverbank, under three traffic bridges and one pedestrian bridge, to the trail junction just beyond Waskasoo Creek. Take the Bob Johnstone Trail south, across 55 St, and through Coronation Park. At the south edge of Coronation Park, cross into Barrett Park. From there, the trail loops southwest to emerge just across the street from your starting point.

Long – 28k

River Ramble

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This riverside route gives you a bit of everything with minimal retracing of your path. Park at Heritage Ranch and start with a long downhill through woods and past small ponds on the Heritage Ranch property, then cross the river on the pedestrian bridge. The trail follows the river to Bower Ponds, then under a number of vehicle bridges. It’s mostly treed, with occasional rises and falls. At 67 St., take the sidewalk west (uphill) to the Pines trailhead. Follow the natural trail through towering pines to 77 St., then down the street to the city yards. Jog right (south) and catch the trail system through Three Mile Bend off-leash dog park, north to the pedestrian bridge at Riverbend Golf Course. Return to 67 St. and take the bridge across, hang a left and head down into Mackenzie Trails park. Follow the vehicle road (minimal traffic) north to the river’s edge, where you will see the pedestrian trail to take you south out of park. Back again at 67 St. you follow the asphalt trail past Kerry Wood Nature Centre and southwest along the riverbank. There’s one good hill as the trail climbs into West Park, then a flat 2K back to Heritage Ranch.

Where to Stay

Red Deer Lodge (4311 49 Ave), on the edge of downtown in the river valley, has easy access to the city’s trail system, as does the Capri Centre (3310 Gaetz Ave) on the South Hill.

Running Fuel

City Roast Coffee (4950 Ross St) features its own roaster right up front and a great lunch menu. On Saturdays, runners often gather post-run to savour scents of roasting coffee while refueling and visiting.

Burgs (255 Davison Drive and Sorenson Station downtown) for original but fast food and Restaurant 27 (3301 Gaetz Ave) for fine dining with a creative flair. Original Joe’s (4720 51 Ave) is a favourite among the city’s many chain restaurants.

Running Gear

The Runner’s Den (#6, 5511 Gaetz Ave) is a great independent running store. It also runs clinics and carries gear for triathletes.

Races

Woody’s RV Marathon (www.reddeermarathon.org) attracts about 1,300 runners on the Victoria Day weekend in May. The Harvest Run 8K in the fall is a community tradition with a feel-good welcome to runners of all ages and abilities. There are also a number of fundraiser races in the summer. Founded in 1991, Red Deer Runners www.reddeerrunners.org does group runs on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings.