Memphis is more runnable than people think. Here are five loops I do regularly, all under 10 miles, all with real character.
1. Shelby Farms Tour de Wolf, 8 miles
Park at the Visitor Center. The Tour de Wolf is 7 miles of rolling singletrack around the park's north side. Add a mile of greenway to close the loop back to your car. Terrain is mixed: dirt, some roots, one creek crossing that can be ankle deep in spring. This is the loop I do when I want trail and don't want to drive.
2. Greenline out and back to Shelby Farms, 9 miles
Start at the Tillman trailhead. Flat paved greenway, straight shot east to Shelby Farms and back. Great for tempo work. Not shaded: don't do it at 2pm in July.
3. Overton Park plus Greensward, 5 miles
Park by the shell. Loop the Old Forest trail three times, add a lap around the golf course greensward. Trail plus grass plus pavement. Good loop for easy days.
4. Downtown Mississippi River loop, 6 miles
Park at Tom Lee Park. Run south along the riverfront, cross over at the Beale Street Landing, loop through South Main, come back on Front. Urban but scenic. Watch for the occasional pedestrian on the bluff walk.
5. Harbor Town circuit, 4 miles
Short, flat, views. A good recovery loop or something to pair with a second loop to make 8 miles. Parking is easy weekends.
The post-run coffee
Edge Alley on Monroe. Or if I'm at Shelby, Frankie's on Poplar. Both have good breakfast. I'd go to either after any of these loops.
If you want company, we host a Tuesday night group run from the Cooper Young store. Easy pace, no dropping.
