RunVassar

With the help of Gmap-Pedometer, an excellent resource made by runners that works with Google Maps to provide runners an accurate way of measuring their courses, RunVassar.com has created a series of running routes of varying distances in the following places (click on a city to see routes there):

• Poughkeepsie, New York
• Boston, Massachusetts 
• Los Angeles, California 
• Paris, France
• Rome, Italy
• New York City, New York
• New Orleans, Louisiana
• Phoenix, Arizona
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Dallas, Texas
• Chicago, Illinois
• San Francisco, California
• Austin, Texas
• Florence, Italy

"Backside" is a key part to the Vassar College cross country course, and is often run by community members because of it's gently rolling hills, soft surface, and wide trails.  The course is also frequently marked during cross country season and around Founder's Day, making it difficult to get lost.  For detailed directions and an interactive map, click here.

This route puts a slight spin on the traditional Backside loop, taking you through a nearby neighborhood.  This change of course leads to more road and less trail, and reduces the number and size of hills.  For detailed directions and an interactive map, click here.

An on-campus loop can be an excellent, safe alternative to running the local trails.  The Vassar campus conveniently measures almost exactly 2 miles around the perimeter making it great for short runs and even longer runs (run three Campus Loops for 6 miles).  Click here for detailed directions and an interactive map.

The Vassar Women's Cross Country Course was created by current Associate Head Coach Ron Stonitsch in the 1980s.  The course comprises trail, grass, gravel, and road to make a competitive but difficult 3 mile course.  This run is also used for the Founder's Day Fun Run in May.  For detailed directions and an interactive map, click here.

Morning Loop was established several years ago by the Vasssar Cross Country team while they looked for a basic run for their morning workouts.  The loop, which includes parts of the Harvest Loop (see below), features both road and trail with just one short hill.  Although it's called Morning Loop, this run is great any time of day.  Click here for detailed directions and an interactive map.

This loop is excellent for winter running or for those who want to avoid trails.  Close to campus, the course follows lightly traveled roads and rolls through gentle hills in a quaint, suburban neighborhood.  For detailed directions and an interactive map, click here.

Harvest loop is a flat trail on the Vassar Farm that features smooth running on the Farm Road and beautiful trail running on the freshly renovated Harvest Trail.  This course is 4.2 miles long from Ballentine Field, but starting from campus or the THs can make it significantly shorter.  Click here for detailed directions and an interactive map.

Ridge Run is a popular trail run among Vassar cross country runners.  The course follows a ridge that overlooks the Vassar Farm Road, ending at a pond where the trail intersects the Farm Road itself.  From there, runners follow the gravel Farm Road back to campus.  For detailed directions and an interactive map, click here.

The Vassar Men's Cross Country Course extends the women's 3-mile course to about 5 miles in compliance with the standard NCAA Division III men's cross country course length.  The course comprises trail, grass, pavement, and gravel to make a challenging but fast run.  For detailed directions and an interactive map, click here.

The Golf Course Loop is a favorite of Vassar runners during the winter months because it is mostly road.  The short version of this loop offers an alternative that cuts through the Vassar Farm trails.  For detailed directions and an interactive map, click here.

The Golf Course Loop is a popular winter loop for Vassar runners because it follows generally plowed streets and sidewalks.  The route is long, but only contains one major hill.  For detailed directions and an interactive map, click here.