When I moved to Detroit I decided to not only dedicate the year to the city, but to also dedicate the year to my body and physical health. You would think this would be hard to achieve in a city that has been noted as an obese city, but the drive for creating a healthier Detroit is gaining speed.

There are many opportunities in Detroit to combine enjoyment and exercise. One of the first fitness routines I tried when I was moved downtown was to run on the river walk. If you haven’t been down to the Riverfront you are missing out on an entirely wonderful experience! Where else is it possible to get in a three mile run while passing through a wetland education center? There are now a lot of great community groups that have meetings on the river walk for free fitness classes together!

My first run on the river walk was addicting because of the multiple viewpoints of the city I came across and I figured I would share the experience of that run:

I start my journey at the Milken State Park Wetland Preserve on the far east end of the walk, watching a group of elementary kids examining the cattails with curiosity. I can feel the breeze from the water as I pass through Rivard Plaza; Detroiters and visitors are enjoying snacks from the café as their kids ride on the merry-go-round. I push on as the Renaissance Center stands tall on my path as the half-mile marker for my trek, with its multiple towers reaching for the sky, topped off with the neon blue ribbons, paying homage to our automotive past, present and future.

A mile into the jog I veer off the river walk and into Hart Plaza , moving past the iconic fountain at its center. Turning around at the end of the plaza, I look out at the beginning of the Woodward corridor. If it’s in port, I will pass by the infamous Detroit Princess as I leave Hart Plaza; she is basking in the sunlight on the river waiting to take her next galley full of passengers out into the Detroit River.

I run past other joggers, bikers, and power-walkers in front of the Port Authority building, while the docks await the tie-lines of cruise ships coming to the city. Halfway through my run, and before I double back, I reach the steps of Joe Louis Arena after passing the new atrium construction for Cobo Hall. The People Mover wraps around the corner to turn back into the heart of downtown as I turn around to repeat my path in the reverse direction.

Almost to three miles and I pass by a few locals fishing off the path, kids wandering in front of their parents by the river, and so many couples walking hand-in hand. I stretch at the end of my run, looking back at the Ren Cen and seeing the green arch of the Ambassador Bridge reaching across the river: this is my city and it invigorates me with passion every time I see it.