Robert Moses State Park and

Jones Beach State Park

One of the things that people love about Long Island is the great beaches here.  Both State Park Beaches have long roadways running the length of the parks.  With ample grass shoulders, they provide safe places to run for moderately long distances.  The negatives are the wind which you generally get in only one direction throughout the run and, in the summer, the heat which can be intense due to the lack of any shade.

A typical run at both beaches is from one parking lot to another and back. Although these are out and back runs, the switch to the other side of the divided roadway on the return trip does give a tiny bit of variation. At the very least, you have the wind at your back in one direction and in your face in the other.   In the off season, these runs can be very pleasant respites from the crowded surburban life. You will be amazed at the number of birds nesting along the roadway. Be careful however not to get too close to the nests.  

Of course, you can also run along the beaches in both places.  However, in the summer, this would be a little nerve racking since you will be stopping or bumping into people every few feet.

Robert Moses State Park

The parks roadway runs about 3 miles, so a round trip gives you a fairly honest 6 mile run.  If you want to add on extra miles, you can continue onto the dirt and sand road at the east end which eventually reaches Fire Island after about 2 miles.  The big treat in this part of the run is that you get to see the lighthouse up close.  Don't bother to actually go into Fire Island - the streets are too narrow for an enjoyable run. 

Jones Beach

This run is along Ocean Parkway which actually continues east for about 12 miles after you get out of Jones Beach, going through Gilgo State Park, and Oak Beach before ending at Captree State Park at the east end of the island.

The run from West End 2 to the Jones Beach Tower is about 2 1/2 miles. It is only about another 1/2 mile to the last parking lot (on the South side).  After this, you can continue towards Captree but there is a lack of any distinguishable landmarks for most of the run, so it you just have to wing it if you are trying to figure out how far you have gone.

A short but enjoyable run is to run along the Boardwalk.  (The following was provided by D. Cassidy). It is two miles long, starting from parking field 6 to field 2, and it makes a nice 4 mile run if you are willing to turn around at the end.  What makes it especially nice is that distance signs are posted every mile, so that you can keep track of your time and pace. Although there are always other people on the track, I have found the crowds a hindrance only once, on the 4th of July. Otherwise they are no bother. Another wonderful feature of the run occurs at sunset, when the setting sun over the dunes is a sight to behold. You get the feeling that you are a million miles from civilization.  Moreover, you don't have to inhale the poisonous exhaust fumes or ruin the natural habitat of birds that happens when you run on the road.