HAPPY TRAILS There’s more to jogging in New York than Central Park.

Like many New Yorkers, I invariably turn to Central Park for my outdoor running fix. Its 843 acres provide enough pristine views to keep my attention, and the street-coded lampposts ensure I don’t get too disoriented in my endorphin-happy haze. In training for the ING New York City Marathon on November 5, however, I’ve found my enthusiasm for the park’s well-worn paths waning. So I turned to my fellow sneaker jockeys for suggestions on new places to rack up some mileage.

Follow the light

If you have trouble choosing a route, you can always leave it up to fate—or, more specifically, the city’s traffic-signal system. “I get up early to avoid traffic and start around Sixth Avenue and 14th Street,” says editor Lindy Humphreys, 40. “If I get to an intersection and hit a red light, I just turn and run with the green. I can explore new parts of the city and get my run in at the same time. Walkers with dogs and strollers are, in general, understanding.” Sixth Ave at 14th St. Subway: F, V to 14th St; L to Sixth Ave.

Uptown whirl

Looking to break a serious sweat while you take in the sights? Consider Fort Tryon Park, a favorite destination for Michael Gazaleh, president of New York City Running Tours, a company that leads sightseeing jogs throughout the city (nycrun.com). Gazaleh, 32, starts in the 160s on the west side, taking Fort Washington Avenue north into the park, and continues through Inwood Hill to the northern tip of Manhattan. “There are a lot of challenging hills, so you get a good workout whether you’re running three miles or eight,” he says, noting that the Cloisters, the Old Croton Aqueduct and Morris-Jumel Mansion can all be incorporated into one’s trajectory. Fort Washington Ave at 168th St. Subway: A, C, 1 to 168th St–Washington Hts.

Borough fare

Joe Eckstein, 41, a longtime member of the New York Road Runners, has tried various routes throughout Brooklyn and Queens, but his favorite run starts on Clinton Street in Carroll Gardens, taking him across the Brooklyn Bridge and back, through Dumbo and along the river in Brooklyn Heights. “You have some great views—there’s a lot of terrific scenery when you’re going over the bridge and running along the promenade. Clinton St at President St. Subway: F, G to Carroll St.

On the waterfront

The Hudson River Park may get all the glory, but plenty of  East Siders prefer Manhattan’s right coast. Erin Safarik, assistant sports information director at Manhattanville College, typically takes 78th Street to the East River and heads north toward the Triborough Bridge. Safarik, 25, describes the route, generally less crowded than its sister to the west, as soothing. “You’re running on the water, and you forget that you’re in the middle of Manhattan,” she says. “I put my iPod on, and I can be wherever I want.” East River at 78th St. Subway: 6 to 77th St.

Queens drag

The East River is also  a logical choice for Long Island City resident Lisa Francoeur. When the 25-year-old entrepreneur is feeling ambitious, she treks all the way to Woodside from her home on Borden Avenue, using various back streets. But she advises those in search of scenery to stick with the waterfront. “LIC is very industrial, but all the property around there is being developed—and the East River is just beautiful.” East River at Borden Ave. Subway: 7 to Vernon Blvd–Jackson Ave.

For more information on the ING New York City Marathon on November 5, visit nyrr.org.