Route: 
East Campus Beginner's Loops
Mileage: 
 1.4 - 3.4
Hillage:
 Mostly mild grades with a couple of challenges on the longer loops.

Longest climb: About 50 ft on the shortest loop, progressing up to about 150 ft on the longest loop.
Longest descent: Same as above
Average Grade: 2%.

Notable hills: 

On the shorter loops, the trip up from Pollock Rd to Curtin near the end of the run is the only climb. The longer runs have several hills. The hill between University Rd and Bigler Rd on Hastings in Loops 3 and 4 is a nice challenge. Loop 4 adds another sharp climb from the area of the Penn State Track to the Materials Research Lab on Hastings. 

Description: 
 Loop 1: Make a right at Shortlidge Rd. A block later, go right on Pollock. At Burrowes, go right and return to Rec Hall. Total distance: 1.36 miles.
 
Loop 2: Pass Shortlidge and continue to Bigler Rd. Make a right, then a right at Pollock Rd. and a right at Burrowes. Total distance: 1.79 miles
 
Loop 3: Continue on Curtin past Bigler. Make a right at University Drive. Go right at the light at Hastings Rd. Go over a short hill, then make a right on Bigler Rd. followed by a left on Pollock Rd. Go right on Burrowes and return to Rec Hall. Total distance: 2.62 miles.
 
Loop 4: Continue on Curtin Rd all the way to Porter Rd. Go right and follow Porter to the access road for the Penn State Track, going right. Take that road to the first intersection and then make the left up a short hill. Make the right on Hastings. Take Hastings to Bigler, go right, then make a left on Porter. Return to Rec Hall by making a right on Burrowes Rd. Total distance: 3.44 miles.
Remarks:
Since the NVRC Beginners Group has become so popular, I thought I’d add some more short “beginners” running routes to the web site. When beginning, of course, it’s best to start slow and work your way in speed and mileage, slowly. That is the philosophy behind the Couch-to-5K Running Program on this web site. The routes featured allow you to build on the same basic route, adding more mileage and hills with each increment. The routes all start and end at Rec Hall and take successively longer trips down Curtin Road, returning by way of Pollock Rd. The routes range in length from a mile-and-three-quarters to nearly three-and-a-half. There’s generally a mix of shade and sun. And there’s plenty of scenery, especially in the summer. And I’m not just talking from an easily-distracted middle-aged man’s perspective. There are plenty of campus landmarks: the new Pasquerella Spirituality Center, the new Creamery, the Bryce Jordan Center, Beaver Stadium, the new baseball stadium, and much more. Just watch that you don’t trip over all the campus construction!

After you’ve worked your way up through these loops, you can try some of the other loops on the NVRC Maps Pages. The Town Loops take up where the longest route above leaves off. Also, the recent Arts Festival 5K route (the first half of the 10K course) is a nice variation on Loop 3.
Map:
Loop 1 Profile:



Loop 2 Profile:



Loop 3 Profile:



Loop 4 Profile:

        Added: 7/06

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