What is the best place to run in Orlando?

Lake Eola Park is the most popular and iconic running spot in Orlando — a 0.9-mile flat paved loop with great scenery and lighting. For longer runs, the West Orange Trail offers 22 miles of paved, traffic-free running through Winter Garden and Oakland. For trails, Tibet-Butler Preserve has 4.5 miles of natural surface paths.

How long is the Lake Eola running loop?

The Lake Eola loop is 0.9 miles. Four laps equals approximately a 5K (3.6 miles). The path is paved, flat, well-lit, and open 24 hours.

Are there running trails in Orlando?

Yes — Orlando has several trail running options including Tibet-Butler Preserve (4.5 miles), the Little Econ Greenway at Blanchard Park, and the Lake Nona community trail network. For longer paved trail running, the West Orange Trail is 22 miles through western Orange County.

Is there a running club in Orlando?

Yes — Orlando has several running groups including the Track Shack Run Club, the Orlando Galloway Training Program, regular group runs at Lake Eola Park on Sunday mornings, and Fleet Feet group runs. These are excellent ways to find training partners and stay motivated.

What races are held in Orlando?

Orlando hosts several major annual races including the OUC Orlando Half Marathon (December), the Winter Park Road Race (April), the Simply IOA Corporate 5K (spring), the Seniors First Turkey Trot (Thanksgiving), and the Publix Orlando Marathon (December). Browse the full Orlando race calendar on Run Florida Run.

Best Places to Run in Orlando

Orlando might be known for theme parks and sunshine, but it is quietly one of the best cities in Florida for runners. The combination of flat terrain, year-round warm weather, and a growing network of trails, parks, and greenways makes Central Florida a runner's playground — if you know where to go. This guide covers the best places to run in Orlando for every type of run, from easy morning miles to long runs and speed work.

1. Lake Eola Park — Downtown Orlando

Lake Eola is the most iconic running spot in Orlando. The paved loop around the lake is 0.9 miles, making it easy to count laps for any distance. The path is flat, well-lit, and open 24 hours. Sunday mornings see a large crowd of local runners, and it is a regular starting point for organized group runs. The lake's fountain and skyline backdrop make it one of the most scenic urban running routes in Florida.

Best for: Easy runs, tempo efforts, after-work miles
Parking: Street parking or the nearby garage on Robinson Street
Distance: 0.9-mile loop (run 4 laps for a 5K, 14 laps for a 10-miler)

2. West Orange Trail

The West Orange Trail is a 22-mile paved multi-use trail connecting Apopka to Killarney, passing through Winter Garden and Oakland. It is flat, shaded in sections, and well-maintained — ideal for long runs where you want to cover miles without navigating traffic. The trail passes through downtown Winter Garden, where you can stop for water and fuel. This is one of the premier long-run routes in Central Florida.

Best for: Long runs, marathon training, weekend miles
Distance: Up to 22 miles one-way; most runners do 6–14 miles out-and-back
Access: Multiple trailheads; Oakland Nature Preserve and Winter Garden are popular start points

3. Cady Way Trail

The Cady Way Trail is a 7.1-mile paved trail connecting Fashion Square Mall to the Orange/Seminole County line near Winter Park. It is a popular local running route with light shade, flat terrain, and easy access from multiple neighborhoods including Baldwin Park and Winter Park. The trail connects to the Cross Seminole Trail, significantly extending your mileage options.

Best for: Mid-distance runs, commuter-friendly routes
Distance: 7.1 miles one-way

4. Tibet-Butler Preserve

For trail runners, Tibet-Butler Preserve in southwest Orlando offers 4.5 miles of natural surface trails through Florida scrub and wetland habitat. The trail network is compact enough to run multiple loops, and the natural surface is a welcome break from pavement. An excellent option for adding variety and reducing impact stress during marathon training blocks.

Best for: Trail running, cross-training runs
Distance: 4.5 miles of trails
Hours: Opens at sunrise, closes at sunset

5. Winter Park Brick Streets

Running the brick-lined streets of Park Avenue and Winter Park's residential neighborhoods is a quintessential Central Florida experience. The tree canopy provides meaningful shade, and the quiet, low-traffic streets make for a pleasant run in an upscale setting. This is the home course for the Winter Park Road Race, one of Florida's most beloved annual events.

Best for: Easy and tempo runs, exploring the neighborhood
Surface: Brick streets and paved sidewalks

6. Blanchard Park / Little Econ Greenway

Blanchard Park in east Orlando connects to the Little Econ Greenway, a natural trail along the Little Econlockhatchee River. The greenway offers several miles of shaded, unpaved running through genuine Florida scrub and floodplain habitat. It is one of the more peaceful running environments within the Orlando city limits.

Best for: Easy runs, trail running, nature-focused routes
Distance: Several miles of connected trails

7. Track Workouts: Azalea Park, Dr. Phillips, and UCF

For speed work and interval training, Orlando has several publicly accessible 400-meter tracks:

Azalea Park (Orlando): Public track near the Azalea Park Recreation Center
Dr. Phillips Community Park: Public track in southwest Orlando near I-4
UCF campus: The university's outdoor facilities are accessible to the public during off-hours

Track sessions are ideal for 5K training, tempo intervals, and race-specific preparation.

8. Lake Nona Community Trails

The Lake Nona master-planned community in southeast Orlando has developed an impressive network of paved trails and greenways throughout the development. The area is newer, clean, and well-maintained, with water stations in several locations. The Run Nona 5K course runs through the community and gives you a ready-made race route to train on.

Best for: Easy runs, newer surfaces, loop routes
Distance: Several miles of connected greenways

Orlando Running Groups and Clubs

Running alone is fine; running with others is better. Orlando has a strong running community with multiple organized clubs and group runs:

Track Shack Run Club: Long-established group runs from the Track Shack location on Edgewater Drive
Orlando Galloway Training Program: Jeff Galloway's run-walk-run method, offered through Track Shack for marathon and half marathon training
Lake Eola Sunday Morning Run: Informal weekly gathering at Lake Eola Park
Fleet Feet Orlando Group Runs: Regular evening group runs from the store locations

Find Orlando Races

Orlando's race calendar is one of the best in Florida. Browse Central Florida races on Run Florida Run to find upcoming 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and marathons in the area. Key annual events include the OUC Orlando Half Marathon in December, the Winter Park Road Race in April, and the Simply IOA Corporate 5K each spring.