The Road Runners Club of America (a member of the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity), considered to be the oldest and largest distance running organization in the United States, has announced that Salem, Massachusetts is one of ten communities chosen in the second round of selections for the Runner Friendly Community designation. The other communities are Allen Park, MI; Carson City, NV; Decatur, IL; Knoxville, TN; Lawrence, KS; Lynchburg, VA; Missoula, MT; Reading, PA; and The Woodlands, TX.
According to the Road Runners Club (RRCA), 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 to provide incentives and ideas for communities to work towards becoming runner friendly communities. RRCA advises that 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.
RRCA also advises that, 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.
Background information:
RRCA: Runner Friendly Community
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