RRCA Welcomes Five New Runner Friendly Communities

September 2, 2026

Arlington, VA (September 2, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) is pleased to announce the designation of five new Runner Friendly Communities® for summer 2026:

• Austin, Texas
• Columbia, Missouri
• McKinney, Texas
• Northfield/Dundas, Minnesota
• Reston, Virginia

The RRCA’s Runner Friendly Community program celebrates communities that have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to creating environments where running can thrive. Designated communities provide safe, accessible places to run while fostering collaboration among local governments, businesses, running organizations, schools, and community partners to promote healthy, active lifestyles.

The Runner Friendly Community designation is intended to recognize an ongoing commitment to supporting runners. Every five years, designated communities work with the RRCA to demonstrate that they continue to meet the program’s criteria. This year, four communities successfully renewed their Runner Friendly Community designation:

• Columbus, Georgia
• Fort Wayne, Indiana
• Somerville, Massachusetts
• Winston-Salem, North Carolina

“Runner Friendly Communities demonstrate what is possible when runners, businesses, community organizations, and local leaders work together to create places where people of all ages and abilities can enjoy running,” said Jean Knaack, CEO of the Road Runners Club of America. “These communities show that a strong running culture is built not only through great places to run, but through the partnerships and connections that make running a valued part of everyday life.”

Meet the communities earning the 2026 Runner Friendly Community designation:

Austin, Texas

Submitted by RRCA member Austin Runners Club, Austin has earned its Runner Friendly Community designation through a combination of extensive running infrastructure, broad community participation, and a culture that welcomes runners of every age and ability.

• Extensive and connected running community: More than 288 miles of trails, 100+ active running clubs, and more than 200 weekly group runs provide abundant opportunities for runners of different paces, backgrounds, interests, and goals.
• Strong community partnerships: Austin Runners Club works with local governments, businesses, nonprofits, schools, and health and fitness organizations to support races, group runs, youth programs, and community events.
• Inclusive and collaborative culture: Partnerships with organizations including Marathon Kids and The Trail Conservancy expand access to running, while local clubs and businesses regularly collaborate to promote events and strengthen the running community.

Columbia, Missouri

Columbia is a vibrant running community supported by an extensive trail network, active nonprofit leadership, and strong collaboration among local partners, including RRCA member the Columbia Track Club

• Connected trail network and infrastructure: The MKT Trail connects directly to the Katy Trail, linking neighborhoods, parks, and greenways while providing access to long-distance dedicated trail running. Continued investment in trails, sidewalks, parks, and pedestrian infrastructure further supports active transportation.
• Active running community: The Columbia Track Club organizes races, weekly group runs, youth programs, scholarships, and volunteer opportunities for runners of all experience levels.
• Community-wide support: Local businesses, healthcare organizations, schools, volunteers, and civic agencies regularly support races, group runs, and wellness initiatives, helping make running an integral part of life in Columbia.

McKinney, Texas

McKinney offers runners an extensive network of multi-use trails, parks, and pedestrian infrastructure designed to support both every day running and community events, led by the inclusive culture within RRCA member the McKinney Running Club.

• Extensive trail system: More than 15 miles of multi-use trails, including the Wilson Creek Trail, connect parks, neighborhoods, and community destinations throughout McKinney.
• Active running community: The McKinney Running Club offers weekly group runs, training programs, social events, and accessible programming for runners at a variety of experience levels, with support from local running retailers, fitness facilities, restaurants, and other businesses.
• Strong municipal and community support: The City of McKinney invests in trails and public infrastructure while working with the running community on event planning, public safety, and race logistics.

Northfield/Dundas, Minnesota

Northfield and Dundas have created a welcoming environment for runners through an extensive network of paved trails, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and strong community partnerships, with efforts led by RRCA member the Your Pace or Mine Running Club.

• Connected and varied trail network: Paved trails connect Northfield and Dundas, while the Mill Towns State Trail provides a regional connection and the Carleton College Cowling Arboretum offers more than 15 miles of natural-surface trails.
• Active running community: Your Pace or Mine Running Club organizes races and weekly social runs while partnering with local businesses, schools, nonprofits, and municipalities.
• Strong community support: Events such as the Mill Towns Race Series and Turkey Trot bring together residents, volunteers, businesses, and sponsors to celebrate and support running in the community.

Reston, Virginia

Reston’s extensive pedestrian network and strong running community, which includes RRCA member the Reston Runners, provide runners with a wide variety of safe and accessible places to run throughout the community.

• Extensive trail network: More than 55 miles of interconnected paved and natural-surface trails, including connections to the Washington and Old Dominion Trail, provide runners with a wide range of routes throughout the community.
• Runner-friendly amenities and programming: Wayfinding signage, interactive maps, water fountains, trailhead parking, pedestrian tunnels, and other amenities support trail users, while Reston Runners offers races, weekly group runs, and youth programs such as its Youth In Motion summer program.
• Strong public and private partnerships: Reston Runners works with Reston Association, Fairfax County Park Authority, local law enforcement, businesses, schools, and community organizations to support races, improve safety, and promote running.

About the Runner Friendly Community® Program

The RRCA’s Runner Friendly Community program recognizes communities that actively support runners and inspire others to create safer, healthier, and more welcoming places to run. Designated communities demonstrate that investing in running and walking infrastructure, community partnerships, and active living benefits residents while strengthening local economies through recreation and running events.

Communities are evaluated on a variety of criteria, including the quality and accessibility of running infrastructure, community support, local government engagement, safety initiatives, and programs that encourage participation among runners of all ages and abilities.

About RRCA:
The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) is the oldest and largest national association of running organizations and runners, dedicated to growing the sport since 1958. The RRCA champions the development of community-based running clubs and events that serve runners of all ages and abilities in pursuit of health and competition. Empowering Everyone to Run. Learn more: www.RRCA.org

Contact:

Andy Smith
programs@RRCA.org
703-525-3890
Road Runners Club of America