Running and exercising is healthy right? But do you know what is the air quality is where and when you run?
A 2025 study by Simply Nootropics has cross-mapped air quality data in each Australian capital city against recreational running routes on popular trail apps.
Dr Brian Ramos, a nootropics researcher at Simply Nootropics, said, “Many of us don’t think about what we’re breathing in while exercising outdoors. This data reminds us that environmental inputs are just as important as physical output. Runners in clean-air cities may be unknowingly gaining cognitive and longevity benefits every time they train.”
Running Routes With The Best Air Quality
Brisbane has officially been crowned the cleanest-air capital for runners in Australia, with an impressively low AQI average of 1.113 across the city which is 32.4% less pollution than Perth. But, where is its best running routes, and what about the other major cities?
Brisbane’s top running routes, including Mount Coot-tha Big Loop and the Goodwill Bridge Loop, all recorded equal AQI scores of 1.11, making it the go-to city for runners seeking clean, lung-friendly air.
Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney all followed closely behind Brisbane, with trail-level AQI averages of 1.14, 1.67 and 1.69, respectively – approximately 5% more air pollution consumed per run than Brisbane’s top routes.
Melbourne’s scenic favourites like Albert Park Lake and Main Yarra Trail offered clean-air consistency across the board, while Sydney’s harbour-hugging routes, including Circular Quay to the Botanic Gardens, prove that if you’re lucky enough to be at a seaside city, you don’t need to go very far for quality oxygen.
Adelaide impressed with trails like the Burnside Quarry Loop, each logging an AQI of 1.17, making it a strong choice for runners seeking fresh air just minutes from the CBD. Perth, while ranking fifth, still offered respectable AQI scores across all its top trails (1.47), with spots like Galup Loop Track and Law Walk catering to those chasing coastal views alongside their cardio, underscoring Australia’s standard for good air quality across the board.
The Cleanest Times of Day to Run
The study also analysed the air quality at various times of day, and the findings suggest you can see a significant improvement in air quality based on the time of day you choose to run.
Brisbane’s cleanest air at 6 am (AQI: 1.000) is noticeably better than the city’s overall average of 1.113 (11.3% less pollution on average), while Sydney’s early morning air (AQI: 1.003) contrasts sharply with its higher average AQI of 1.169 – and improvement of 16.5%.
Melbourne’s peak air quality at 5 pm (AQI: 1.108) also surpasses its city average of 1.144. Most strikingly, Adelaide’s cleanest air at 10 pm (AQI: 1.083) is well below its average AQI of 1.167, suggesting late-night runs could offer unexpectedly cleaner conditions, with a difference of 8%.
Perth sees a marked benefit running early at 6 am (AQI: 1.167) compared to a much higher city average of 1.472 – an improvement of 26% – higher than any other city analysed and levelling with Adelaide’s city-average.
The findings are part of Simply Nootropics’ ongoing exploration into lifestyle factors that support cognitive performance and longevity.
Dr Ramos said, “As a brand committed to helping Australians feel their best for longer, we wanted to uncover which environments support that mission, and although movement is critical for brain health, doing it in the right conditions, including clean air, is what elevates it from healthy to optimal.”
Methodology
The analysis used data from OpenWeatherMaps API and AllTrails to evaluate air quality on popular running trails in five Australian cities: Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, and Brisbane. The top 10 trails per city were selected based on popularity, proximity to the city (within 10 km), and trail length (under 10 km). Coordinates along each trail were sampled every 1 km, and environmental data was collected at 6 am, 5 pm, and 10 pm once per month over a year to capture seasonal variation. Metrics included AQI, PM2.5, NO₂, CO, NO, and O₃. Data was averaged per trail, and rankings were created based on AQI to determine the top trails and best times to run in each city.
You can access the raw data on this link.
