2019 Running Travels: One run, two states, three trails in Morrisville, Pa., and Trenton, N.J.

Posted on by Vanessa Junkin (She Runs by the Seashore)
I got to see this beautiful sunrise because I got up early for a run! (Vanessa Junkin photo)

About a month after crossing the Delaware River from Pennsylvania to New Jersey on foot for the first time, I crossed it again on foot during a run in a different part of the two states.

I traveled to Pennsylvania and New Jersey from July 20-21 to meet up with some BibRave Pros and cheer some of them on at the New Jersey State Triathlon at Mercer County Park, which was not far from Trenton.

I found an Airbnb in Fairless Hills, not too far away on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River.

Here’s a sunrise photo from the bridge I took to get to New Jersey from Pennsylvania. (Vanessa Junkin photo)

Of course, I wasn’t going to go to a new-to-me area without getting a run in. I researched the area ahead of time and first found the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park in New Jersey. This trail spans more than 60 miles with ends in Milford, N.J., and New Brunswick, N.J., according to the website.

Then, I also found the Delaware Canal State Park towpath trail, which runs nearly 60 miles with ends in Easton, Pa., and Bristol, Pa.

There are actually “loop trails” between the two parks, which I think is awesome. I wanted to run one of the shorter loops, but I didn’t have enough time, since I’d have had to drive there and back and I wanted to get to the race by about 7:30 a.m. (I was a little late, but I was glad I got my run in.)

Here’s a link to the loop trails, which involve running some on each trail and two crossings over the Delaware River. The shortest loop is 7.1 miles, and the longest is 18.9 miles.

Here’s a view of the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park trail. (Vanessa Junkin photo)

I parked at the Morrisville, Pa., trailhead on the Pennsylvania side. As I was driving for about 10 minutes there from my Airbnb, I noticed the beautiful sunrise. This is something I don’t normally get to see, because I don’t usually get up early enough.

I actually started my run before 5:30 a.m. I knew it would be my only opportunity to run, since I’d be hanging out with the BibRave Pros the rest of the day and then would be on my way back to Salisbury.

After getting a sunrise photo, I made my way across a bridge to New Jersey. I ran through the city for a little bit before finding an entrance to the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park trail. The trail was quiet and the part I was on was like other rail trails I’ve been on. There was water to my right. I also noticed plenty of little pathways that weren’t official entrances to the trail but went down a short distance to neighborhoods.

Here’s the Delaware River, as seen from the bridge I took to get back to Pennsylvania from New Jersey. (Vanessa Junkin photo)

I ended up taking one of these later, heading a little bit through the city again toward another trail I saw along the Delaware River on this side, which was part of Stacy Park. It was nice to have some river views as I made my way back toward the bridge to Pennsylvania.

I wanted to make sure I explored the Pennsylvania side as well, and this trail, raised on a berm along the Delaware River, was my favorite part of the run. I ran on a brown-colored gravel of sorts on this side. I did an out-and-back on this side, running to East Bridge Street and back, before heading back to take a shower, change and head out. I ran 6.2 miles.

I enjoyed running on the Delaware Canal State Park trail in Morrisville, Pa. (Vanessa Junkin photo)

All four of the BibRave Pro East Region captains — Brenda, Meridith, Chris and me — were able to meet up during this weekend, which was awesome! I also got to meet BibRave Pro Bill, who was participating in the New Jersey State Triathlon. Brenda, Meridith, Chris and I had pizza at DeLorenzo’s in Trenton before heading to the Grounds for Sculpture, which was really cool. We also spent a lot of time talking and catching up.

Of course, I had to take a photo of this sign by the bridge from Pennsylvania to New Jersey. (Vanessa Junkin photo)

It’s so fun to interact with people in person when normally you’re chatting with them online. I’d met all of them at The Running Event and Brenda at races, but it was awesome to reconnect again. And, we got some fun photos at the sculpture gallery. I’m not usually exploring with three other bloggers!

I set a goal to travel to at least one new-to-me place for a run each month of 2019. Here are the other places I’ve traveled to for runs this year:

From left, I pose with fellow BibRave Pro East Captains Meridith, Brenda and Chris after we explored Grounds for Sculpture together in Trenton, N.J.

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3 thoughts on “2019 Running Travels: One run, two states, three trails in Morrisville, Pa., and Trenton, N.J.”

  1. Pingback: 2019 Running Travels: Exploring New Smyrna Beach, Fla., on the run – She Runs by the Seashore
  2. Pingback: July Running Wrap-Up: More running and more yoga – She Runs by the Seashore

  3. That is so cool you hit two different states! The loop trails sound fun and the berm part of your run looks lovely! You make me almost want to get up for a sunrise run:)

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