When I moved to the Twin Cities in the late 1970s to attend college, I was amazed at the active running community. Coming from a small town where I once had beer tossed at me while running, the idea of running around a lake without behind hassled was intriguing. When I was introduced to Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis, I discovered what thousands of runners before and since have learned: it's the perfect running lake.I admit to being biased. I direct the Hennepin-Lake Classic, and each year since 1980 (I missed the first two) I've been down at Lake Calhoun very early on the first Sunday in August. Some of Calhoun's charms are obvious, and some grow on you:
- It is almost a perfect 5K around. That makes it a great loop to check your fitness or just relax and enjoy the sights.
- You always have a view across the lake. Unlike other lakes, you are never out of sight or around a bend. You can always tell where you are at Calhoun.
- You're never alone. Even those early mornings race directing, there is someone else at the lake. I'll run somewhere else when I want to be alone, but I'll go to Calhoun when I want to be part of the crowd.
- There is plenty of water available. There are multiple water stops on each loop of the lake, meaning you can refresh yourself on the hot summer days.
- The lake feel like a party. Running a loop around Lake Calhoun in the summer will bring you in contact with sun-tanners, sail-boarders, volleyball players, inline skaters, Frisbee flippers, dog walkers, archers, cyclists, and more. Calhoun is a lake that knows how to have fun!
- It is only a few steps from Uptown Minneapolis. If you are looking for food and entertainment, you don't have far to go after your run.
- The more it changes the more it stays the same. I've run the lake for more than 30 years, and the area has undergone some major changes. However, just plop in a video tape of the movie The Personals (if you still have a VCR), and you'll see a view of the lake circa 1980 that looks very familiar. As an added bonus, you'll also see the Hennepin-Lake Classic race with a cameo appearance in the movie.
If you haven't discovered the joys of Lake Calhoun, stop over see what you've been missing. If you don't mind sharing, come for the Hennepin-Lake Classic on Sunday, August 1, and you can run a 5K or 10K or even both (the DoubleHeader). After a lap or two (or three!) around the lake, you can judge for yourself if it's the perfect lake for running. You may even have a few reasons of your own to add to my list. And you definitely won't leave thirsty!
