Most runners like to run for one of two reasons, either to achieve a set number of miles or to explore new areas. Laid out within this article there are two separate ways for one to expand their thinking in relation to running and decide what they might want out of a specific run, either new scenery or specific milage. 

Where to run for the scenery: 

•  Behind East neighborhood or along the Red Cedar River path

Running from Sparty statue and back, the path along the Red Cedar River is about four miles long. This route allows you to be mainly shaded by trees -- making it enjoyable, rain or shine. The downside, however, is that this path has many hills.

• Through the center of campus

“You can’t go wrong with the campus loop," Assistant Cross Country Coach Max Benoit said.

To complete this run, start at the union, heading towards Snyder-Phillips Hall. Then, make your way to the business college complex, past Spartan Stadium, and back to the Sparty statue. From here, make your way back to the union, where you started.

The loop goes directly through campus, making it the perfect way to see all the small details that make MSU special. Aside from having to play "dodge the pedestrian" occasionally, it's a relaxed route.

• Outer ring of South Neighborhood, leading to East Neighborhood

This run begins at 1855 place. From here, take Wilson Road to Conrad Road, back to Shaw Ln. This is a lengthy run, but it takes you through the edges of campus.

There are a lot of trees and empty sidewalks, allowing the runner to not have to be on constant high alert for pedestrians. There are also minimal hills.

• Back behind Brody, out of campus (super long run):

This route is one of the hidden gems of the running community as it is always quiet and has soft surfaces to run on. However, there tends to be a large number of geese on this route.

You can track at least eight miles through a mainly flat, gravel paths that provides cushion for your legs while also leading you through the woods towards Lansing. Through this path, there is a small lake that you can circle around, and you can pass the Potter Park Zoo. 

• Farms across the campus: 

A cross country favorite is the farmland by Mount Hope Road. Despite being a bit far, this trail is still considered on campus,

“Lots of dirt roads, it’s pretty quiet over there with really soft surfaces.” Benoit said.

The best ways get the mileage in: 

• 5k:

Journalism senior Jake Lyskawa said that a 5k is the perfect mid-distance to run. 

There are many ways to get your easy 5k in on campus. One option is to run through the heart of campus.

Start at Bessey Hall and follow the river trail to Williams Hall. Once you make it there, turn around and take the Spartan Stadium back and finish your run at Bessey.

This route is where the Michigan State Turkey Trot was held last year. It has a nice mix of flat surfaces, upward and downward hills.

"Make sure you're getting something out of (running)," Lyskawa said. "It's making you happier, it's relieving stress. You don't want to you don't want to make this like a more stressful thing for you. So just as long as you're having fun with it."

To run a 10K on campus, first start at the Sparty Statue. Run down the river trail until you reach Holmes Hall, then turn around and head back. When you reach the Sparty Statue again, you will have completed four miles.

Continue this run by heading towards Brody. When you get there, run to 1855, then head back to the Sparty Statue to complete your 10k. 

"I find myself going faster and just enjoying the runs more when I'm on campus," psychology sophomore Hannah Greenspan said. "I'm also able to go for longer distances just because the school itself is longer, so instead of running four laps around my neighborhood, I can just run from one end of campus to the other, and suddenly the same distance has been covered."

“Never run for pace, never run for distance, just run to run,” she said.