Valencia: Runners' Paradise

7 Dec 2023 · 2 min read

human-writtenⓘ

I’m in Valencia for a team building. As seats.io is a remote company, we often see and talk to each other, but only by the pixels of a screen. And because a screen can never beat IRL conversation, we’ve gathered in Valencia for the week.

morning view of the City of Arts and Sciences

This blog post is not about remote company retreats though; its only purpose is to sing the praise of Valencia as the Ciudad del Running.

You see, I went for a morning run yesterday, and I could not not go for another one this morning, despite a pretty short night.

Only one reason: Turia Garden. Spanning 9 kilometers, this elongated oasis, curled around the old town, is a marvel repurposed from an old riverbed. It’s nothing short of runners’ paradise.

Its accessibility is a dream - from anywhere in the city, you’re just a short jog away. For me, it was a straight shot down a palm-lined avenue from our hotel.
Uninterrupted Paths: The park’s design segregates paths for different activities - biking, walking, and running. This means you can “just” run, for as long as you like, totally immersed and without any distractions or stops (no traffic lights! 🚦)
Runner-Friendly Surface: The gravel paths are kind to the knees, making the run as comfortable as it is scenic.
Speaking of scenery, it’s incredibly varied. Contrary to what one might expect from a former riverbed, the park is far from monotonous. It’s a mosaic of landscapes, gardens, sports fields, children’s playgrounds, small forests of exotic trees, cut into strips by a wild variety of ancient and modern bridges. At the park’s far end lies the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, a striking contrast that catapults you into a futuristic landscape, blending art, science, and architecture.
Regularly spaced distance markers that light up at night, very helpful for interval trainings.
The Community Vibe: runners of all ages, sizes, and speeds run in Turia park, either solo or in groups. I saw what looked like a rugby team warming up, I saw obviously very seasoned runners struggling (maybe they were recovering from the Valencia Marathon that was held on Sunday, who knows), and I saw people running with a stroller.

separate running path distance marker view on the Valencia Opera morning view of the City of Arts and Sciences Palm-lined Avenue

Thanks, Valencia, for the great runs and vibes. You’ve earned your title as the Ciudad del Running. Can’t wait to come back and hit those paths again.