This City’s Heated Sidewalks Make It A Winter Running Paradise

This town’s heated sidewalks make it a winter running paradise. Located just off the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, the city of Holland is susceptible to a lot of snow. The Michigan city averages 75 inches of snow a year – three times the national average. Workout enthusiasts in any other city with those conditions would be forced to use a treadmill. But in Holland, residents can run outside thanks to a unique feature: heated sidewalks. The “snowmelt” system was originally created to help draw consumers to the downtown shopping district in the 1980s. Water is heated to 95 degrees at a nearby power plant. The system pumps 4,700 gallons of water per minute through 1-inch tubes. The water is then circulated through 147 total miles of tubing beneath the city’s streets and sidewalks. The heat generated is enough to melt 1 inch of snow per hour during 20-degree temperatures. The city says it eliminates the need for shovels, salt, plows, and even winter footwear. By not requiring special winterized shoes, the system allows for more casual runners to brave the elements. TEXT QUOTE “We don’t have to be stuck inside on a treadmill all winter long, we always know no matter how much snow and ice is out there, we have miles worth of clear path.” on the snowmelt.” - Kerrie Esmeier, Holland Running Club The Road Runners Club of America named Holland one of the country’s “most runner-friendly” communities. Groups such as the Holland Running Club and the Gazelle Sports Run Camp have thrived thanks to the snowmelt. As many as 120 people will show up for weekend group runs. The scene has been compared to that of a local road race. TEXT QUOTE “I don’t think we would be nearly the club we are without it. It has kept your casual runner interested.” – Ben Burry, Holland Running Club Many Holland-based runners will log around 80 percent of their winter miles on the snowmelt. TEXT QUOTE “When it gets brutal like this and it’s icy, this is the safest place to be and we’re just very, very lucky to have it.” – Vicky Kavanaugh, Holland Running Club They say the system gives runners flexibility in their routes. TEXT QUOTE “If you do it right, it’s easy to not get bored—you can get a very nice 5-mile route with almost no overlap.” – Ben Burry, Holland Running Club The businesses that benefit from the system have embraced the blossoming running community. They will offer coupons and discounts to runners and even organize their own events. The snowmelt currently covers 4.9 miles of roads and sidewalks. Holland claims it is the largest municipal snowmelt system in the country. Nearby Grand Rapids and Grand Haven have developed their own smaller versions. Their systems only cover several blocks each. There are no plans for any major expansions right now, but local runners say they are always pushing for more routes. The Holland Energy Park can expand to support a snowmelt system up to four times its current size.