Several members of the Fort Thomas runners group were on hand at the March city council meeting to accept and celebrate the city as a “Runner Friendly Community.”
The city was one of only five communities earning the designation from Roadrunners of America last fall — and it is the first Kentucky city to earn the title.
The program highlights communities that support and celebrate running. In 2021, the Fort Thomas Recreation Department began sponsoring citywide running groups.
Starting with two community runs a week, the program has expanded to include training for the Flying Pig Queen Bee 5K and for the 10K for the Flying Pig Marathon.
The city running club has partnered with the Newport’s Fleet Feet location, a national running apparel and gear store, to provide marathon running training sessions.
The club also collaborates with the Run 43 Club, a running group hosted by Studio 43, a yoga and pilates studio in Alexandria.
Presentation highlights support
Fort Thomas Recreation’s Katie Spicer received a plaque on behalf of the city from Anna Heeman. A Fort Thomas resident, Heeman is a local coach and the Kentucky representative of the Roadrunners of America.
“Katie Spicer [of the Fort Thomas Recreation Department] has put together an amazing running group here,” Heeman said. “A lot of the coaches and participants are here as well. So our city did a great job, especially with our trails and having so many sidewalks for everybody to enjoy the community and be out outside promoting health. And so we wanted to present this award to the city of Fort Thomas and Katie Spicer.”
Spicer thanked the owners and workers of Fleet Feet, Nikki Taylor of Studio 43, Jessica Morris, wellness manager at St. Elizabeth Health Care and staff at the Campbell County YMCA. She also thanked city administration and Fort Thomas Police Department for their help and support.
“And lastly, to all the amazing runners who are part of this community and who are what made this the first runner friendly community in the state of Kentucky. Thank you so much,” said Spicer, who then invited runners, coaches and their families to come up and receive the award.
For more information, contact the Fort Thomas Recreation Department at 859-781-1700 or contact Recreation Director Kat Disney at kdisney@ftthomas.org or 859-816-4637, See also “Fort Thomas Recreation Department” on Facebook. The Recreation Center is located at 950 S. Fort Thomas Ave.