The Road Runners Club of American has named Columbus a Runner Friendly Community for 2013. This honor comes with a plaque and royalty-free use of the RRCA Runner Friendly Community logo for five years, among other benefits. Columbus is one of three communities to receive the honor this quarter. Joining Columbus in this round of selctions is Peachtree City, Ga. and Eugene, Ore.

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.

From Columbus’ Fall Line “Rails to Trails” to the Chattahoochee RiverWalk, Columbus is a place with unique optiosn for runners of all experience levels. Recognition as a Runner Friendly Community could create an additional draw for out-of-town visitors, according to Peter Bowden, president and chief executive officer of the Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau. Some local races already attract runners from outside the Chattahoocee Valley. Among those events is the Soldier Marathon and Half Marathon, now in its fourth year.
“This designation gives Columbus a competitive edge in attracting athletes from all around to enjoy our running trails, locally owned shops, restaurants and more. We look forward to being a part of Columbus’ growth over the next several years,” says Leah Braxton of W.C. Bradley Co. Real Estate, LLC.
Read more here about how this honor pays tribute to our community in the Ledger-Enquirer.