Best running routes of the eastern suburbs according to Vogue’s Sophie Tedmanson

A Vogue deputy editor training for the New York Marathon sets out four of her favourite local running routes with top tips for beginners

The Vaucluse track is a hidden gem.

I have run all over the world — along the Great Wall of China, around the base of Uluru, through New York’s Central Park, across the Duomo piazza in Milan, up the canyons of Los Angeles, the cobbled streets of Paris, and the hallowed miles of the running mecca that is the Boston Marathon.

But there truly is no place like home, and as someone fortunate enough to live on the water in Sydney’s inner east, my daily running route around the harbour foreshore to the Opera House is one of the most spectacular in the world.

With views like this you’ll be running out the door.

Running in Sydney has literally saved my life and soothed my soul. I have been a runner for many years — as a kid I loved to run cross-country but migrated to the track and competed in 800m in high school. But I generally lost interest until 10 years ago when I moved back from London and into a house on Ocean St in Woollahra, and the stunning running loop of Centennial Park beckoned me. I was also in a dark place of depression and anxiety so I decided to get fit and healthy, I gave up alcohol and tried to live one of more positivity. In doing so I found my passion for running that lay dormant from my teens. Now it helps my mental health, keeps me fit, allows me support important causes — I am a member of 261Fearless (who I ran the Boston Marathon with), a global social running community uniting and empowering women through running. It also enables me to see some of the prettiest sights in the world on my travels, which I document with regular ‘Running Cam’ posts on Instagram. I now run marathons — I am in training to run the New York Marathon in November, and am part of the way through a bucket list goal of completing the six Abbott World Marathon Majors: Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin, London and Tokyo. Ultimately, of course, I also want to run a marathon in Sydney.

Take a detour into the Botanic Gardens.

RUSHCUTTERS BAY — SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE 8km return

Seeing the sun rise over Sydney Harbour as you wind your way around Mrs Macquarie’s Point is a spectacular way to start the day. Take off before dawn, following the path around Rushcutters Bay past the CYCA, up through Potts Point, around the Woolloomooloo naval base, past Harry’s Café de Wheels and the Domain into the Botanic Gardens. The sky transforms from pre-dawn pastel pink as the sun pops up from the horizon usually just as you round the bend to Mrs Macquaries point and transforms to a crisp Brett Whiteley blue matching the water as the Harbour Bridge and Opera House come into view, laid out like a postcard. Further along the Botanic Gardens breakwater wall around to the Opera House marks the end to the most perfect running route — one that tourists would pay for but for a local like me, is a daily reminder that we live in the most beautiful city in the world.

If you love the Bondi to Bronte don’t forget the Waverley Cemetery Coastal Walk is also open again following a prolonged closure.

BONDI — BRONTE CLIFF WALK 4km each way

It is one of the most iconic tracks in Sydney with absolutely breathtaking views of the South Pacific Ocean coastline, and the Bondi to Bronte Cliff Walk is a haven for runners and walkers. Whether it’s spotting whales or the annual Sculpture by the Sea outdoor art exhibition or simply admiring the stunning cliffs that line the route, there’s always something to look at on your run. Start at the north end of Bondi and follow the mural-lined boardwalk past the much-photographed Icebergs Dining Room and Bar at the South and take the path along the cliffs as far as you like. Surprisingly one of the most beautiful segments is past the Waverley cemetery. A runners tip: run early in the morning to avoid path congestion, and in summer, wear your bathers under your run gear and jump in the ocean for the most refreshing post-run cool down. Fresh air, sand and sea — what more could you wish for?

You can run wild and so can the kids at Centennial Park.

CENTENNIAL PARK 3.7km circuit

The loop of Centennial Park is a fantastic (and flat!) training track for runners away from busy main road traffic (although in summer the pedestrian and cycling traffic can get pretty hectic!). Whether in Autumn, when the dappled sunlight streams through the trees and the colours twinkle from yellow to green, or summer, when the picnickers are out in force, the park is a picturesque spot to run all year round with handy water fountains every 1km or so. A runners tip: follow the main outer ring of Grand Dr for a lap then zigzag through one of the inside central roads to spice up your run and you’ll pass the lakes and see an array of horses, ducks, birds and dogs a plenty.

Other picturesque running routes in the eastern suburbs:

— Along the water side of New South Head road from Redleaf Pool down past Rose Bay Marina to Rose Bay beach

— Harbour Foreshore Walk, Vaucluse to Nielsen Park — boardwalks and beaches a plenty, perfect in summer.

The Vaucluse track is stunning.

HERMITAGE FORESHORE TRACK 4km return

One of my all-time favourite ‘secret’ paths, especially in summer, is the Hermitage Foreshore Track, which stretches from Vaucluse to Nielsen Park. There are boardwalks and beaches a plenty on this track which hugs the most spectacular of the harbour foreshore areas. On one side you can enjoy the facades of the varied architecture of Sydney Harbour mansions, including the stunning heritage-listed Strickland House and its grounds which you pass through. While on the other you have harbour views for miles across Rose Bay to Shark Island, the Harbour Bridge and north to Middle Head and the Sydney Harbour National Park. On a warm day you are also rewarded with several swimming spots including Queens Beach, Hermit Bay, Milk Beach (my personal favourite) and the popular netted Shark Beach — all of which make for the ideal summer running routine: run, swim, run, swim some more, run home! For those more historically inclined you also pass the Steele Point Battery defence complex, remnants of a group of harbourside fortifications from the 1870s.

Begin your run at the end of Bayview Rd (alongside Kincoppal-Rose Bay School), and wind your way along the path all the way to Nielsen Park for a spectacular run.

A runners tip: definitely wear your swimmers and suncream under your run gear, and take a bottle of water as there are no water fountains until you get to Nielsen Park.

Follow my Running Cam on Instagram: @sophieted

To support 261Fearless women’s running community:

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