Columbus named Runner Friendly Community | Health

COLUMBUS,GA - The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) announced that Columbus was named one of this year's Runner Friendly Communities.

These communities have shown that they meet the program’s criteria, which includes community infrastructure, community support, and local government support for running. Each community has an infrastructure that can foster physical activity in a safe environment; a proven track record that organizations and businesses work together to promote running as a healthy exercise and sport; and there are positive relationships between the running community and local government.

While runners do not require a lot of expensive equipment, there are several ways that local communities can invest to ensure that running is safe, affordable, accessible, and enjoyable for anyone that wants to run.

“In November 2010, the Soldier Marathon and Half Marathon was established with assistance from the Columbus Road Runners.  To make the Soldier Marathon a reality it took the cooperation of the Army, Military Police, the Columbus Police Department, the Mayor’s Office, the Columbus City Council, Columbus Parks & Recreations, local sponsors, and more,” explained Mayor Teresa Tomlinson.

“Our soldiers, leaders and Department of Army Civilians, as well as their families, enjoy and are proud to participate in events which promote healthy and physically fit lifestyles for all,” explained Robert Brown, Major General, US Army, Commanding General, Fort Benning, GA. “I am in full support of the city of Columbus, GA to be nationally designated as a Runner Friendly Community.”

The goals of the Runner Friendly Community program are to shine a national spotlight on communities that standout as runner-friendly and provide incentives and ideas for communities to work towards becoming runner friendly communities. Runner friendly communities can increase the quality of life, improve physical activity for residents as outlined in the National Physical Activity Plan, and provide for increased economic impact for the community.

The other communities named were Peachtree City and Eugene, OR.