Nathan Hammerschmitt Le Gal

Running Around Hanover

When I first arrived on campus, I acquainted myself with the area through my runs. There's no better way to find out where everything is than to go out and explore physically. It can be nice to take a moment and venture outside of campus boundaries. I've found that running helps me clear my head; there's something special about consistently spending time in a landscape and beginning to call it home.

Starting directly on campus, we have the classic Occom Pond loop. Occom Pond has a path that wraps around its entire circumference, making it a popular destination for walkers and runners alike. A Dartmouth Lingo term for any walk around Occom is a "Woccom." I like running Occom loops when I don't feel like going too far or if the weather is unfavorable. A local running group, the "Upper Valley Run Club," hosts speed workouts around Occom every Tuesday. As a part of Club Triathlon, I can attend these for free—which makes for a fun, challenging afternoon (though I can't say I go every week). 

The loop! Or loop(s)

Moving directly North, we have River Road, which is probably one of the most scenic routes; it follows the Connecticut River for what feels like forever. I usually run past the green, turn right onto West Wheelock Street, and eventually turn again onto River Rd. West Wheelock St. is a massive hill, so getting to River Rd. is fine (downhill), but coming back can be quite the climb. I should also mention the Connecticut River is the border between Vermont and New Hampshire, which makes River Rd. a multi-state running route?!

You can go as far as you want... really.

Moving South, we have Lebanon Street and Greensboro Road. Both bring you to a quaint residential area. This out-and-back is good if I'm leaving the gym and I don't want a route with lots of hills. I would say the biggest challenges in finding good routes are knowing where the most elevation gain is and how much traffic exists because both will dictate how pleasant the run is. 

I have yet to become ambitious enough to turn this into a full loop.

Lastly, there's Lyme Road, which also follows the Connecticut River—but not directly next to the shoreline. I take Lyme Road past the Life Sciences Center, continue straight at the rotary, and typically turn around when the sidewalk ends. Lyme Road also goes past the old Dartmouth Golf Course, which has since been converted to trails connecting with Pine Park (another great route, perfect for light trail running).

Here I kind of went all over—but I did go up Lyme Rd. for a bit!