Anniston (AL) – RRCA designates Anniston Runner Friendly Community. This is one of five new designations for fall 2022

By Al Muskewitz

Anniston has been a strong running community for many years. Now it is being acknowledged. The Road Runners Club of America has named the Model City a 2002 Runner Friendly community. This initiative is intended to highlight communities that are runner-friendly and offer incentives/ideas to encourage communities to become that way.

Fort Thomas, Ky., Greensboro, N.C., Lumberton, N.C., and Toledo, Ohio are all newly designated Runner Friendly Communities in fall 2022. Five other cities were also recognized for renewing their Runner Friendly Community designation. Jean Knaack, RRCA Executive Director, stated that the challenges faced over the past few years have shown the importance of communities in making running accessible to citizens in a news release. “The positive relationships that runners have with local officials is evident in the references provided by state and city government leaders to this round of Runner Friendly Communities.”

Anniston Runners Club applied for the designation and was subject to extensive vetting. The RRCA examines community infrastructure, community support, and local government support. The application for the ARC included a video of local runners and civic leaders, as well as recommendation letters from officials from the YMCA, city officials and other running groups. Hayley Long, Anniston Runners Club said that she felt strongly that Anniston supported the requirements after reading the requirements. “I learned more about the city’s plan to promote a healthy lifestyle. The club is thrilled about the nomination. We want to see Anniston Runners Club rebound after the pandemic and encourage members to get involved.

The recognition will see the city listed on the RRCA website for five years as a Runner Friendly community. It will also receive a commemorative plaque and 25 window decals that can be placed in runners-friendly businesses in the city. This designation will help to sponsor Anniston Runners Club activities and complete other projects. Long stated that he believes it will bring more tourists to the city so they can run in our races. Woodstock 5K, which is the club’s flagship race, was designated the RRCA’s national 5K championship race in 2023. [… read more]