Chattanooga Earns Prestigious Runner Friendly Community Status

The Road Runners Club of America recently recognized Chattanooga as a Runner Friendly Community, a prestigious five-year designation that will last until 2029. This honor shines a national spotlight on our city as one of only 40 communities across the nation that excels in supporting runners. Runner Friendly Communities enhance residents' quality of life, promote physical activity, and drive economic benefits for their regions.

Jean Knaack, CEO of RRCA, emphasized the importance of community involvement in fostering a running culture:
'Communities play a vital role in making running safe and accessible for everyone. The applications showcasing infrastructure, business support, and the sense of connection within thriving running communities demonstrate the profound impact such environments can have,' said Knaack.

• Chattanooga boasts the essential components of a Runner Friendly Community: robust infrastructure plus strong community and government support. Our Riverwalk, greenways, and wide variety of multi-use trails—complete with water fountains, restrooms, and available parking—provide the necessary infrastructure for making running accessible to all.
• Chattanooga's elected officials work closely with organizations like the Chattanooga Track Club to secure race permits for safe and desirable race courses. Mayor Tim Kelly, a runner himself, bolstered our Runner Friendly Community application with his letter of support. Local law enforcement actively partners in event planning, proactively supporting pedestrian rights and monitoring dangerous intersections.
• At the heart of Chattanooga's running community is our very own Chattanooga Track Club (CTC). We've dedicated ourselves to stimulating interest in running and fitness for all ages and promoting wellness throughout our community. As a club, we organize regular group runs and orchestrate races that showcase our beautiful city, Over the years, we've partnered with public and private organizations to advocate for runners. This Runner Friendly Community designation affirms what we at the CTC have known all along—that Chattanooga is a great place for runners and walkers.
• We're fortunate to have three locally owned run specialty stores along with numerous runner-friendly businesses in our city. These businesses actively engage with the running community by hosting group runs, offering discounts to local running club members, serving as pre- or post-run meeting spots, allowing runners to use their bathroom facilities, providing safe places for runners to stop in emergencies or fill water bottles, and supporting clubs through race sponsorships including in-kind donations and publicity.

This Runner-Friendly recognition is a testament to the collaborative spirit of our running community and the city of Chattanooga. Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or just starting your running journey, we invite you to lace up your shoes and join us in enjoying this Runner-Friendly city!