Jenny Kincaid Boone

Jenny Kincaid Boone has been running since she was in eighth grade. She competed in cross country and track at Fort Defiance High School (Fort Defiance, Va.) and at Roanoke College, where she was all-ODAC in cross country for four years. When her knees and legs aren't aching from the wear of years of competition, she hits the 19 to low 20-minute range for a 5K.

Recent columns

• A five-miler at the Lake
• Virtual running
• Giving triathlons a try
• Packing energy for the long haul

On a recent Saturday morning, I wanted to find a place to run that wasn’t too far from my home but offered a change from the regular road routes around the Grandin Road neighborhoods.

The Murray Run Greenway provides some variety and calm in the midst of this busy neighborhood. Nestled in a forested area behind Patrick Henry High School on Grandin Road, the greenway was a perfect spot that fall morning. The sun was peering through the trees, and the path was covered with brown fallen leaves. I felt like I was miles away from traffic, stoplights and noise.

But I wasn’t far away at all. The greenway is accessible from some of the main areas of the neighborhood. One entrance is beside the Patrick Henry track, which is behind the school. The greenway starts to the right of the track on a wide, gravel path, and a sign marks the beginning. You also can find the greenway by starting at Fishburn Park on Brambleton Avenue and crossing Brambleton onto Montgomery Avenue. The greenway begins on the right side of the road, and a sign points the way.

Murray Run Greenway is part of a system of walking and jogging paths scattered throughout the Roanoke Valley. A local group called Pathfinders for Greenways is pushing an initiative to have these paths eventually connect different parts of the Roanoke Valley. This greenway is a short, half-mile trail. But if you’re running in certain parts of Southwest Roanoke, it’s a nice break from sidewalk running and traffic dodging.

The greenway is a soft-surface trail that weaves through the woods. It travels up and around some steep loops and over one small, wooden bridge. There are several paths through the wooded area that make up the greenway, but all of them loop around to the same basic beginning and ending spots.

Located near Patrick Henry High School, the Murray Run Greenway provides a soft, half-mile path for runners seeking variety (or relief) from paved surfaces. Signs (below) mark the entry of Murray Run near Lofton Road and Guilford Avenue, or where Montgomery Avenue meets Brambleton Avenue near Fishburn Park.

I usually take the greenway where it begins beside the Patrick Henry track. I run to the end, which takes you to Montgomery Avenue after a steep climb. Sometimes I continue on Montgomery Avenue and take a left onto Brambleton Avenue for a road loop that heads back towards my home. I also cross Brambleton to Fishburn Park, where there are other running trails to try.

But often I follow the greenway back to my starting point and continue on with my run. The nice thing about the greenway trail is that you can repeat it as many times you want, creating your own trail workout, or incorporate it into a boring road route for needed flavor. It’s a friendly path that neighbors often travel with friends or with dogs. Many consider it to a hidden gem.

Directions to Patrick Henry High School:
Take I-581 South. Take the Colonial Avenue exit, and turn right onto Colonial Avenue. Turn left onto Brandon Road. Follow Brandon until the intersection of Grandin Road. Turn left onto Grandin Road. Patrick Henry is on the left.

Directions to Fishburn Park:
Take I-581 South. Take the Colonial Avenue exit, and turn right onto Colonial Avenue. Turn left onto Brandon Road. Follow Brandon until it intersects with Brambleton Avenue. Turn left onto Brambleton Avenue. Fishburn Park is about 1 mile up the road on the left.

Upcoming races:
Nov. 20: Cox Communications Star City Half Marathon and 5K, Roanoke, 772-2782

Nov. 25: Genesis House Turkey Trot 5K and 1M, Lynchburg, (434) 385-7420

Dec. 4: Peaks Christmas Classic 5K and 10K, Bedford, 586-3483 (Bedford YMCA)

Dec. 4: Frosty 5K, Blacksburg, Web site

Dec. 11: Lewis Gale Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis 5K, Roanoke, 776-2820

Dec. 11: Hellsgate 100K, Natural Bridge Station, Web site