Author: Hafiz Shaikh
The Howard County Striders are proud to announce that the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) has renewed the Striders’ application to designate Columbia/Howard County as a Runner Friendly Community for a new 5-year term between 2025-2030. Per the RRCA, “The goal of the Runner Friendly Community designation is to shine a national spotlight on communities that stand out as runner friendly and to provide incentive and ideas for communities to work towards becoming runner friendly communities.”
Columbia/Howard County was previously awarded the Runner Friendly Community designation between 2017 to 2022. The renewal application was submitted by the Striders Board of Directors in November 2025 with the assistance of the Columbia Association including President/CEO Shawn MacInnes, who provided a compelling letter of recommendation. Former Striders’ President and current Bullseye Running President Phil Lang provided an additional letter of recommendation. The Striders Board of Directors would like to thank former President Cecilia Murach for leading the initial application process in 2017, as well as the renewal process in 2025.
This recognition from the RRCA is particularly timely, as the Howard County Striders will be celebrating our 50th Anniversary this summer. The club started with a few energetic runners in the mid-1970’s and now boasts a membership of 1,000 households. In the past 50 years, the club has become the premier running club in Howard County. Managed by an all-volunteer staff, the Striders have promoted lifetime fitness through running with exceptional adult and youth training programs, races and social events – fostering a community where runners of all abilities can participate in the sport they love. Our youth runners have won national titles at AAU track and cross-country meets. Members of the Striders elite racing team have qualified for Olympic trials in the marathon. Hundreds of our members have traveled to destination marathons across the world including Boston, New York, Chicago, London, Berlin and Tokyo.
The Columbia Association and the Howard County government have created an exceptional pathway system across numerous villages and lakes in Columbia and surrounding communities. “Columbia’s pathway system not only links our neighborhoods, but also connects people who live, work and play here,” said Shawn MacInnes, President/CEO of Columbia Association. “From casual joggers to dedicated marathon trainers, these pathways give runners a place to train, connect, and build community. We’re proud to see Columbia recognized as an official Runner Friendly Community and applaud the Howard County Striders for their leadership in securing this designation.”
With our combined efforts, the Striders, the Columbia Association and the Howard County government have shown the RRCA that we have the infrastructure and community support to be designated a Runner Friendly Community.
For information about the RRCA’s Runner Friendly Community Program, please visit: https://www.rrca.org/programs/runner-friendly-community/official-runner-friendly-communities/
For information about the Howard County Striders, please visit: https://striders.net/
For information about the Columbia Association’s Pathway system, please visit: https://columbiaassociation.org/open-space/development/mapping-gis-resources/#printable
