The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) has designated Macon-Bibb County as one of its two newest Runner Friendly Communities, the first year it has earned this honor. The Macon Tracks Running Club submitted the application with the support of several organizations in the year the community is organizing its first half marathon in 20 years.  

“There is wide-ranging support here to build opportunities for running, walking, and cycling, giving everyone a chance to enjoy the outdoors and improve their health and fitness,” says F.M. Barron, Chair of the Macon Tracks. “Getting this designation isn’t the end result of work but shows the country what we’ve done and that we’re heading in the right direction.”  

“Exercise is an important part of overall health, and running can be a great way to stay fit. Relative to other sports that require special equipment, running is pretty inexpensive and easy to do, only requiring an investment of time and a good pair of sneakers,” said Atrium Health Navicent President Delvecchio Finley. “Congratulations to Macon-Bibb on being designated a Runner Friendly Community, and thanks for your support of community health!” 

“This is what Team Macon-Bibb looks like…working for years to improve our roads and increase our trails to encourage a healthier lifestyle, then putting on a major race,” says Mayor Lester Miller. “That’s why they’re more than deserving of this national recognition…because they are doing things together to improve the entire community.” 

The Macon-Bibb community earned this designation after the Macon Tracks Running Club applied highlighting many features benefitting walkers, runners, and cyclists. It included bike lanes around Downtown and neighborhoods, expansion of the Ocmulgee Heritage Trails, trails at Amerson River Park and Carolyn Crayton Park, a 12-mile run course with parking and gathering areas, the trails in the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, and more. It also pointed out that many of the trails currently being developed or expanded will connect in the next few years to create a trail of 12-15 miles, allowing there to be a half marathon that never crosses a road.  

According to the RCCA, “The goal is for applicants to prove that their community works together to meet some or all of the criteria to provide for a safe running community.” 

The application pointed out the groups – both public and private – that have come together to host the Macon Music Half Marathon, the first race of its size here in 20 years. The groups currently working together to plan the Macon Music Half Marathon include the Macon Tracks, Macon-Bibb County, Visit Macon (our Convention & Visitors Bureau), Presenting Sponsor Atrium Health Navicent, Mercer University, Fall Line Brewing Company, First Choice Primary Care, Simplenexus, and James Bates Brannan Groover. 

The Macon Music Half Marathon will start and end in Carolyn Crayton Park (formerly Central City Park). The course will take runners by many of the locations linked to the community’s musical heritage, including the Big House, the Grand Opera House, Capricorn Studios, Mercer’s McDuffie Center for Strings, Vineville Academy, and more. Click here to follow the Facebook page for updates. 

The Macon Tracks submitted the application with the support of several organizations with letters of support, including Macon-Bibb County, Atrium Health Navicent, Visit Macon, Navicent Health Foundation, Bike Walk Macon, and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Georgia,  

About the Runner Friendly Community Program
The RRCA’s Runner Friendly Community program is designed 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; and provide for increased economic impact for the community.

“Communities play a vital role in making running safe and accessible for everyone,” said Jean Knaack, RRCA CEO, wrote in their press release.  “The references from city and state government leaders for this round of Runner Friendly Communities demonstrates the impact of positive relationships between runners and local officials.”

During the application process, the RRCA reviews community infrastructure, community support, local government support, and additional support, with each area having specific and important criteria to meet. A community must demonstrate that it’s public and private organizations are working in collaboration to support running and show it has the infrastructure to foster physical activity in a safe environment. 

Runner Friendly Communities have shown that they meet the program’s criteria, which includes community infrastructure along with support from local businesses and government.  A Runner Friendly Community has a safe network of pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, multi-use trails, paths, share lanes, and more.  In addition, the communities work in collaboration with public and private organizations to support and promote running as a sport and healthy activity.