No matter where you go in the city of Lynchburg, you're likely to see someone running.
"It's just easy access, because of all the trails and downtown," said Lynchburg runner Britney Askew.
Now the rest of the country is learning what runners in Lynchburg have known for years.
On Tuesday the city was named 2011 Outstanding Runner Friendly Community by the Road Runners Club of America.
"We were kind of flabbergasted," said Bill Gray, President of the Lynchburg Road Runners Club. "We were like 'wow, this is amazing!'"
"The whole community supports running," said Jean Knaack, Executive Director for the Road Runners Club of America. "It's not just a small segment within the community. It's a community-wide effort."
Along with having many places to run, Lynchburg also stands out for having lots of running events. Every year the city hosts more than 40 foot races, including the Virginia Ten Miler.
"We're a community where running is valued as a form of economic development," said Jeff Fedorko, a Lynchburg runner and race director of the Virginia Ten Miler.
Runners say being known for a healthy sport will help Lynchburg attract new people, and new jobs.
"This designation truly emphasizes how important health and wellness can be to a community," said Fedorko.
And now that Lynchburg has the 'runner friendly' designation, runners want to keep it.
They plan to expand options for running, like extending the Blackwater Creek Trail. They also hope to recruit more people to the sport.
"The Lynchburg Road Runners see this as a beginning point, not an ending point," Fedorko said. "We want to continue to be a very positive influence in this community as it relates to health and wellness."
Lynchburg beat out 16 other cities around the country to be named America's friendliest running community.
Click here to read more about Lynchburg's runner friendly designation.
