where-to-run-in-asbury-park — Photo by Ron Dickson.

Enjoy Food, Beaches, and Running in Asbury Park

By Ron Dickson

If you’re looking for where to run in Asbury Park, check out my top spots and recommendations. As a New Jersey runner, Asbury Park is one of my favorite places to run. The hip Jersey neighborhood is a gem, with excellent music, beaches, food, and running paths.

Welcome to Asbury Park, New Jersey

A lot of people ask where to run in Asbury Park, so I’m compiling my favorite routes. With construction booming in a reborn city, new homes are an architectural lover's dream. A changing city with more transformations underway. From the bungalow to the estate there is a little bit of everything down the shore.

A few years in the making, Asbury Park has reclaimed its spot as the coolest beach on the East Coast. The aura of a rich musical legacy is ever present and has evolved from the local bar scene to the big stage.

The Stone Pony, a historical musical venue that even appeared on The Sopranos, has a summer series. Every September, the Sea. Hear. Now Festival makes its way to the north beach with mainstream acts like the Foo Fighters, The Killers, and Weezer performing on a large outdoor stage.

The music that can be heard up and down the boardwalk allows you to take in the sounds of greatness. No headphones are needed when running along the boardwalk.

Where to Run in Asbury Park

If you are looking for where to run in Asbury Park or a place to visit where music, art, food, and good energy meet, head to Asbury Park, or AP, as locals call it. As the summer season ends, the beach scene is still active. Less foot traffic means you’ll have fewer obstacles to run around.

Running Asbury Park Boardwalk

The boardwalk stretches a little less than a mile (.80 miles) from the Casino to the north end, where buildings of yesteryear are being preserved. The boardwalk area is the perfect scenery for Instagram and TikTok sharing. The art scene has blossomed over time, and murals can be found along the north end and sporadically around town. The artwork and the ocean offer the perfect scenic backdrop for running.

Lake Loops

Three lakes are located near the boardwalk - Deal Lake, Sunset Lake, and Wesley Lake. You can do loops around either lake if you are looking for where to run in Asbury Park without getting lost. Each route is easily accessible and has less foot traffic than the boards, but vehicular traffic is present.

Deal Lake is 1.5 miles and my favorite lake loop to run. On the East end, you will catch people and blue heron fishing. At night, the lights from the buildings and street lights shimmer on the water's surface, creating a peaceful vibe perfect for a group or solo run.

In keeping with its name, Sunset Lake offers excellent sunset views. There are two sections of the lake separated by a bridge. The entire loop around the lake is just shy of 1 mile (.86 miles). The shorter loop is .52 miles.

Fletcher Lake is along the border of Ocean Grove and Asbury Park and only steps from the train station. With a distance of 1.45 miles, it’s close to the shops and restaurants along Cookman Avenue. Picturesque surroundings filled with resting sea birds are a relaxing sight to take in along the pedestrian bridge spanning the lake's center.

Each lake is close to the boardwalk. All are within a 10-minute walk except for Fletcher Lake, which is directly off the boardwalk. Parking spaces are everywhere but fill up fast as the day progresses.

Running Cookman Avenue

Cookman Ave is the main strip in Asbury Park. It’s filled with stores and restaurants to window shops while you run. Traffic can get busy in the mid and latter part of the day, so it’s best to run with caution. There is no telling who you may run into. Local celebrities like Jack Nicholson randomly pop up.

It’s easy to start your run down Cookman Ave from the boardwalk or the train station since it’s nestled between both locations. Running a sexy pace along Cookman allows you to take in all your surroundings from the sounds, smells, and people.

If you’re looking for an unusual run in Asbury Park, the annual Asbury Park Zombie Walk is a must at the end of October. You can get chased by zombies or be the zombie; it’s all up to you. The zombie walk stretches the entire boardwalk and Cookman Avenue. You won’t want to miss it!

Hill Running on Grand Avenue

Grand Avenue is an out-and-back 2-mile stretch that allows you to run up and downhill for some light…very light elevation training. Keep in mind being near sea level, the hills aren’t large, but it still makes for a good workout.

There is a bike lane along Grand Avenue, so always watch out for cyclists. Parking on Grand Avenue is usually easy to find since it is away from most of the activity in AP. You can start anywhere along the Avenue for an out-and-back workout. From end-to-end is 2 miles, so an out-and-back run from one endpoint would be 4 miles.

Related Post: Runner’s Guide to Hill Workouts

Asbury Park with Your Dog

If you are looking for a place for you and your pup to roam, then the north side of the boardwalk has Asbury Park Dog Beach and Boardwalk. The area includes an open beach for your dog to run free throughout the cooler months and at certain times (early mornings and evenings) in the summer.

To continue your run together, you can leash your dog and run south from the dog park along the sand or run on the boardwalk. Head to the Wonder Bar to relax at a post-run spot with a dog section.

Asbury Park Eats

There are endless possibilities for good food in Asbury Park. For a healthy and tasty option, make sure you stop and get a bowl at Playa Bowls. There is a bowl for every palette, with options like acai, chocolate protein, coconut, and more. The Tide Bowl is one of my favorites.

If you are a donut lover, as I am, Purple Glaze offers great-tasting donuts to help refuel and satisfy that sweet tooth. Located on the backstreet of Summerfield Avenue, they are a local treat.

Hope you enjoy these routes and the city. Once you visit, you’ll already be planning your next trip to AP. Happy running.

About Ron: I lived in the shore area all my life. From the Raritan Bay to the ocean, I’ve witnessed the many changes and stages of the area to be able to appreciate the jewel that it is. Love the shore, the people and the communities within it. Please come and visit.

Where to Run in Asbury Park: Tips from a Local