The Running Reporter: The Neck Run

There are two types of people in this world, with regards to running, those who are seriously in love with it and those who despise its existence.

It's hard to believe that there are "casual" runners, because it takes such commitment and determination to push your body to its limits when you get out on the road (or the treadmill in the winter). 

This article and the ones that will  follow it are meant for devoted runners who are looking for new routes to explore around this historic town. Marblehead has so much to offer the running community, with its long winding back-roads and hills, as well as its scenic views of the ocean.

Don't get into a routine where you follow the same route day after day, you might as well be running around a track where everything is always the same. Challenge yourself, and make every run a new and exciting experience.

The first route that stands apart from the rest is the Marblehead Neck Run. This intermediate level course, which from my starting point covers just about five miles, is more challenging than the distance alludes. The Neck is full of long-winding roads that seem to climb continuously out into the ocean. It offers cool shade under the trees as well as a soothing ocean breeze as you make your way through this secluded community.

My runs always start at my front door on Peach Highlands. I like runs that start and end at my home because driving to a destination to run means driving home when my legs have practically given up on me, and that is never fun.

I leave Peach Highlands and turn right onto Pond Street. This leads onto Green Street which I quickly cross right onto Elm Street and down the winding hill onto Spring Street. Crossing Pleasant Street I continue down Essex Street, past Memorial Park and the new 5 Corners Kitchen.

Essex Street leads me onto Atlantic Avenue, which I follow past Shubie's Market Place. This is the first long straight-away on this route, which continues past Green's Ace Hardware, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Seaside Park, and the Marblehead Police Station. The road is usually busy here so use caution when traveling in the street if you can't find room on the sidewalk.

Follow Atlantic Avenue until you reach Ocean Avenue, turning right at the intersection, and keep running past Fairwinds Outboards and Devereux Beach. Continue across the Causeway, which offers a cool breeze and a stunning view out over the ocean and into Lady's Cove. At the Neck-end of the Causeway I like to bear right, staying on Ocean Avenue.

This road will take you all the way around the outside of the Neck community, and is comprised of short hills that climb continuously to a peak just past Castle Rock Park. At this peak at the intersection of Ocean  and Harbor Avenue, you can easily round the traffic circle and start your decent back into town.

Harbor Avenue provides a brief respite with some downhill running, which leads you past the Eastern Yacht Club and back onto Ocean Avenue at the Causeway. Following Ocean Avenue, you should cross Atlantic Avenue and keep heading onto Pleasant Street at the Marblehead Fire Department.

Turning right onto Pleasant Street brings you face to face with another challenging hill in front of Veterans Middle School. Climb this and ride out the smooth decline on the other side passing by the Manhattan Sandwich Company, the Three Cod Tavern, the Spirit of '76 Bookstore and the newly opened Hooked seafood restaurant.

Turning left back onto Elm Street brings this course into the home stretch. The hill on Elm might be one of the toughest sections of the run because it occurs after so much ground has been covered, but once you get through this climb you are almost home (or to my home at least).

Elm leads back onto Green, which quickly turns into Pond again. Pond Street offers one smaller incline before turning onto Peach Highlands. If my will and determination haven't been broken on this trek, I try to sprint the final stretch on Peach right up until my front door. This forces me to dig deep into every ounce of energy remaining and to prove that there is always something left in the tank.

This route measures at 4.946 miles on my pedometer, which is equal to 10,458 steps taken (at about 30 inches a step). It is not for beginners, but it is perfect for runners who are looking for the right balance of climb and cruise.

For those who are looking for something slightly shorter, with less climbing, you can simply take your first right off of Ocean Avenue onto Flint Street, and back home the same way. This cuts off the two miles of hills around the Neck but still offers a solid three-mile cruise with some great scenery and a few nice inclines.

I hope that some of you out there take on this challenge and try out the long (or short) Marblehead Neck Run. I am sure you will be pleased with what it has to offer. Check back here at the Patch for more from The Running Reporter, and more ideas for running around town.