ORTC - Visitors

Oak Ridge Track Club

Welcome to the "Science City".

Add a race to our calendar.

Here are some links for our visiting running enthusiasts...

Running loops from Melton Lake Trail:
(Distance of any of these routes can be increased by running additional mileage on the trail.)

7 mile up-and-back
6 mile loop
7.5 mile loop
10 mile loop
2.2 mile loop

7 mile up-and-back [map]:

Park at the Elza Gate Park at the corner of Melton Lake Rd. and Oak Ridge Turnpike
The greenway/bike trail starts at the park and runs 3.5 miles through the Melton Lake Park, marina, and the rowing club to another small parking area almost to Edgemoor Rd.
Return to the Elza Gate Park
Very scenic views of the park and the lake
Some small hills near the Edgemoor Rd. end, otherwise very flat
Elza Gate Park is a very shady place to cool down and stretch before/after running
Of course, you can park at the Edgemoor Rd. end and run the opposite direction

6 mile loop [map]:

From Marina:
Run towards Oak Ridge Turnpike on the bike trail
Left again on Warehouse Road to Fairbanks
Left on Fairbanks to Briarcliff
Left on Briarcliff, through the subdivision to Emory Valley Rd.
Right on Emory Valley Road for ~200 ft to Baltimore
Left on Baltimore to Adelphi
Left on Adelphi to Amanda
Straight on Amanda to Melton Lake Drive
Right on Bike trail back to the Marina

7.5 mile loop [map]:

From Marina:
Run towards Oak Ridge Turnpike on the bike trail
Left again on Warehouse Road to Coalyard Road
Right on Coalyard Road to Fairbanks
Right on Fairbanks to Oak Ridge Turnpike
Left on Oak Ridge Turnpike to Laboratory Road
Left on Laboratory Road to Terminal Road
Left on Terminal Road to Emory Valley Road
Left on Emory Valley Road to Briarcliff
Right on Briarcliff, through the subdivision to Emory Valley Rd.
Right on Emory Valley Road for ~200 ft to Baltimore
Left on Baltimore to Adelphi
Left on Adelphi to Amanda
Straight on Amanda to Melton Lake Drive
Right on Bike trail back to the Marina

10 mile loop [map]:

From Marina:
Run towards Oak Ridge Turnpike on the bike trail
Left again on Warehouse Road to Coalyard Road
Right on Coalyard Road to Fairbanks
Right on Fairbanks to Oak Ridge Turnpike
Left on Oak Ridge Turnpike to Rutgers
Left on Rutgers to Northwestern
Left on Northwestern to Purdue Avenue
Right on Purdue to Manhatten Avenue
Left on Manhatten to Gettysburg Avenue
Right on Gettysburg and it crosses Lafayette and becomes Emory Valley
Straight on Emory Valley Road to Briarcliff
Right on Briarcliff, through the subdivision to Emory Valley Rd.
Right on Emory Valley Road for ~200 ft to Baltimore
Left on Baltimore to Adelphi
Left on Adelphi to Amanda
Straight on Amanda to Melton Lake Drive
Right on Bike trail back to the Marina

2.2 mile loop [map]:

From River's Run subdivision:
Run away from the Marina towards Edgemoor Rd.
Turn around at parking lot near Edgemoor Rd.
Return to River's Run subdivision

Running safety (especially for women)

DON'T WEAR HEADSETS. Use your ears to be aware of your surroundings. Using headphones, you lose the use of an important sense: your hearing.
Always stay alert and aware if what's going on around you. The more aware you are, the less vulnerable you are.
Carry a cell phone or change for a phone call. Know the locations of call boxes and telephones along your regular route.
Trust your intuition about a person or an area. React on your intuition and avoid a person or situation if you're unsure. If something tells you a situation is not "right", it isn't.
Alter or vary your running route pattern; run in familiar areas if possible. In unfamiliar areas, such as while traveling, contact a local RRCA club or running store. Know where open businesses or stores are located.
Run with a partner. Run with a dog.
Write down or leave word of the direction of your run. Tell friends and family of your favorite running routes.
Avoid unpopulated areas, deserted streets, and overgrown trails. Especially avoid unlit areas, especially at night. Run clear of parked cars or bushes.
Carry identification or write your name, phone number, and blood type on the inside sole of your running shoe. Include any medical information. Don't wear jewelry.
Ignore verbal harassment. Use discretion in acknowledging strangers. Look directly at others and be observant, but keep your distance and keep moving.
Run against traffic so you can observe approaching automobiles.
Wear reflective material if you must run before dawn or after dark.
Practice memorizing license tags or identifying characteristics of strangers.
Carry a noisemaker and/or OC (pepper) spray. Get training in self-defense and the use of pepper spray.
CALL POLICE IMMEDIATELY if something happens to you or someone else, or you notice anyone out of the ordinary. It is important to report incidents immediately.