The City of Lakeland was recently recognized as a Runner Friendly Community by the Road Runners Club of America. This five-year designation will expire in 2029. The Runner Friendly designation shines a national spotlight on communities working in collaboration with public and private organizations to support running and building infrastructure to foster physical activity in a safe environment.
Runner Friendly Communities are graded and scored on criteria that include trail systems, trail distances, and infrastructure along trails. Runner Friendly Communities must have a network of pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, multi-use trails, and running clubs promoting the sport. Pedestrian networks are defined as allowing a person to complete between 3-10 miles in a loop or continuous course. Additional community infrastructure includes water fountains and trail maintenance.
City of Lakeland Mayor, Bill Mutz said, “Lakeland has a defined commitment to the health and well-being of the community. The City of Lakeland takes pride in its active role in planning, constructing, and maintaining our extensive running infrastructure. This commitment to multi-use trail systems helps foster a vibrant and healthy community. We are honored to be recognized as a Runner Friendly Community and excited to join the esteemed Runners Club of America list!”
The Road Runners Club of America noted pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure investments, policies that promote active lifestyles, and the number of running events that take place around Lakeland trail systems as reasons for the designation. The City of Lakeland received recognition in 2015 as a Runner Friendly Community. Communities that are recognized as Runner Friendly share that designation for five years. After five years, a community must resubmit a nomination and meet the latest criteria to be considered Runner Friendly by the Road Runners Club of America.
Lakeland has an impressive network of over 340 miles of sidewalks, almost 30 miles of multi-use trails with more on the way, and numerous parks with run-friendly amenities. Lakeland has a priority on pedestrian/bicycle safety with traffic calming infrastructure, designated pedestrian crosswalks, marked bicycle lanes, and state-of-the-art technology that also played into the Runner Friendly designation.