Running in Panama City: Pacific Ocean Front

What an interesting timing to be visiting Panama when its famous Canal is making the news because of threats from incoming bouffons in the White House who want to play Monopoly...

I have to say though that learning much more about the history of such an engineering marvel was eye opening. From the early conquistadors who recognized the special opportunity to cross the American continent there, to the big failure from the French paving the way to the American success, with a huge human toll of 20,000 deaths. So, granted, the US can claim it changed the World, starting with self-interest in such a naval route making the US economy flourish, but it came to a huge price for the local communities and ecosystem too. And it definitely looks fair that after conquering this territory from Columbia for economic benefits, the US returned the Canal zone to the Panamanians for their self-administration of this vital part of their economy. In return, they invested in major upgrades to keep up with the endless quest for over consumption of goods in the US. It is very worth reading the story of the original canal, and its recent extension with a design aiming to preserve some of the precious fresh water of the Gatun Lake in particular.

Visiting Panama will also help you remember the special geography of this country linking North and South America: it's not vertical with the Atlantic on the right/East side, and the Pacific on the left, but horizontal, almost like an inverted tilde (~). Panama City being on the South shore, it's on the Pacific.

We only stayed for three nights in Panama City, I was able to only squeeze in two short runs: this post can't claim to be a running guide about all the running you must be able to do in Panama. What I can say though is, from more driving in the car, many streets and roads aren't suitable for safe running. While in Panama City for a few days, your safest option might be to stay on the wonderful pedestrian and bicycle lanes along the Ocean and the famous Pan-American Highway going through the city.

Longing the Dubai part of Panama City and its impressive forest of high rise buildings, you can run for 2.5 miles without crossing any street. Then, still without any crossing, you can continue for another 2 miles, above water, on the Cinta Costera, with views of the original and historical fortified city. In my next post I'll cover 4.5 more miles of this continuous walk and bike paths, making a perfect 9-mile stretch, or 18 miles total, to run not only safely but with wonderful views. Not to forget a few water fountains and restrooms on the Amador peninsula.

A fly-over of that first run along the Pacific, from the older Panama City (click on the image below, or this link):

Map views.

And a visual tour.

Cathedral/Basilica Santa Maria

Getting on Cinta Costera through Calle 13 Oeste

Fuente acuatica:

A well-fed raccoon family:

The end of the walk/bike path in... San Francisco!

The Presidential Palace and/or Ministry of Foreign Relations.