By Arthur Cosson, Video Editor & Social Media Manager
In this article, you will find the main loops the Saint Leo University cross-country team uses to train near and around campus.
Here are some tips that will be helpful before you start on your run.
- The loops and miles described start from the parking lot in front of Apartment 5.
- Remember that Florida is always hot and humid! So, take water with you if you need it for the longer runs.
- Avoid getting lost by taking your phone with you or using a GPS watch.
After a few days of running, you will know all these loops and find your own paths to make the loops shorter or longer.
Also, here is a quick review of the five “classic” runs of the Saint Leo cross-country team that will help you to pick a run for the day. Make sure to check the GPS tracker on your device before starting the run to help you remember the loop.
#1: Touching the Gate!
This is the classic recovery and double run for most cross-country athletes at Saint Leo. Very quiet, but also super friendly with good weather. Many Lake Jovita residents will say, “Good Morning/Afternoon!” or “Go faster!” which always makes runners smile, even while they suffer.
You will need to go to the Saint Leo tennis court and go straight to the neighborhood. Cross the road (Lake Jovita Blvd) and take the first right, then the first left. You are going to the Lake Jovita golf course by turning right. You will arrive on a nice and shady “bridge.” Just go to the end of the neighborhood and touch the black gate. Then take the route back to Saint Leo.
- Level: Rookie
- Super flat
- 3 miles+
- Dogs: No/with a leash
#2: Lake Jovita Loop
This run follows the same initial start; however, instead of taking a right by crossing the road (Lake Jovita Blvd), you take a left. Get ready for this big hill! At the top of the hill, you can choose to go left (you will see a black gate) or right. You will make a loop around Jovita. I strongly suggest this loop at sunset hours. If you are lucky enough, you could have some great pictures for your Instagram or take a BeReal to prove to people that running is (hard) fun!
- Level: Rookie
- Hilly
- 4 miles+
- Dogs: No/with a leash
#3: Short Mahoney Loop
Mahoney Loop is the best to run at Saint Leo. Indeed, by seeing a different type of scenery and running on multiple surfaces, you will enjoy it for sure. It is so-called because when you leave Saint Leo’s campus after passing the Wellness Center (the west end of the campus), you must go to Mahoney Road. Once there, you turn left towards a dirt road. The only bad part is that you must be careful since there is a lot of traffic. After the dirt, you must cross a road (from Darby Trails straight to Darby Road) and run toward San Antonio Elementary School, where you can see a few cars. Then, take the first left after crossing the road (before the school) for the Short Mahoney Loop.
- Level: Intermediate
- Hilly
- 6 miles+
- Dogs: Behind the fence
#4: Long Mahoney Loop
For the long version of the Mahoney Loop, you will, instead, take a left after passing the school. After running a big downhill on the side of the road (be careful of the cars), you take a left and left again to go back by the parking of the San Antonio Athletic Complex, the Community United Methodist Church, and finally arrive back at Saint Leo.
- Level: Advanced
- Hilly
- 7 miles+
- Dogs: Behind the fence
#5: Burger King Loop
You will arrive on an over one-mile downhill dirt road after passing the Community United Methodist Church, which is good for your tendons and bones to run on a softer surface. This is called Hartman Road. You turn left at the end, then right, and you are going to run on the sidewalk of State Road 52 to Burger King. Turn right, just after Burger King, and follow the road. Then, head back to University Campus by passing the parking of the San Antonio Athletic Complex and Community United Methodist Church around Mile 8 of your run.
- Level: Advanced
- Pretty flat
- 11 miles+
- Dogs: You may find some on Harman Road or just after. I have never had any problems with them, but be careful!
