Take a run at routes around the world

MapMyRun.com is an essential tool for travelers who wouldn’t dream of skipping their run while they’re away from home. Why just jog a few miles from your hotel when you can find trails and paths throughout the area rated by other serious runners?

What’s hot: Finding a run, complete with maps and ratings, might be the most obvious thing you can do on the site -- but MapMyRun is also a community where you can meet up with other runners, find races and events, share stories and photos, or join interest groups. Too independent for group activities? Create a workout calendar or get a training plan for a marathon. Nonrunners can use the website as well. When you click “Search for Runs” and plug in the city and distance in miles, you can also use the pull-down menu for “route type.” I was surprised to find such options as biking, dog walking, hiking, skating, mountain biking and kayaking. (The site is part of the MapMyFitness family, which includes MapMyRide, MapMyHike and more.)

What’s not: The stats center says that there are more than 2 million runs in more than 230 countries to choose from, but I couldn’t find a global map. I’d be curious to see what it looks like because most people agree, generally, that there are only 195 countries. And an overwhelming amount of information and features can be seen as a plus or a minus. Webophobes might find the video tutorials (on the help page) comforting.

-- Jen Leo