RRCA Announces Running Friendly Communities
The second round of 2012 selections is now public.
The second round of 2012 selections is now public.
From: Running USA
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), the oldest and largest distance running organization in the United States, has announced the second round of 2012 selections for the Runner Friendly Community designation: Brambleton, VA; Des Moines, IA; Portland, OR and Grapevine, TX.
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.
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.
“A lifelong Portland resident, I have run Portland streets, path, and trails for decades and have completed the Portland Marathon more than 25 times,” said Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-OR-3. “My extensive travels to communities throughout the country have convinced me that Portland’s runner-friendliness is far ahead of that in many other communities.”
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.
“Grapevine has over 24 miles of hike and bike trails and many miles of park roads and sidewalks,” said Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate. “We are very proud of the Grapevine Runners & Walkers Club in Grapevine as they promote an active and healthy lifestyle to our residents and also assist with trail maintenance in our city.”