Leon County is perfect for walking, jogging or running | Opinion – Tallahassee Democrat

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When most of us got grounded by our parents, we stayed at home and just stared at the ceiling. Not with my father. When I was 16, after one too many youthful indiscretions, my father grounded me by demanding I run five miles a day for six months. I had to earn my freedom.

To him, it made perfect sense, because my younger sister and brother were accomplished cross-country runners. So like any good teenager, I ran the first time full of spite. But I was soon hooked on the combination of escape and endorphins, and 45 years later, I couldn’t imagine a life without running.

Those are the memories that this crisp, cool fall weather recalls. It inspires me to run the county’s hundreds of miles of trails, despite my dad’s punishment having ended decades ago. I’ve seen many others on the trails, too, but there’s always room for more!

Last month Apalachee Regional Park hosted over 3,500 runners, who competed in the first of four races to start cross-country season in Tallahassee. Leon County’s world-class course drew in runners from all over the Southeast to compete in the FSU Invitational and High School Pre-State Preview meets.

Just 10 years ago, an easily overlooked tract of more that 100 acres was converted to a flowing network of trails and green space. Built specifically to host world-class cross-country running events, Apalachee Regional Park is as respected in the cross-country running world as Augusta National is in golf.

The running world has taken notice and ARP, as it’s affectionately known, regularly hosts regional, state and national championships. After this cross-country season, the county will invest more than $2 million into course improvements that will lead to even bigger and more prestigious events, boosting the local economy by $24 million over the next five years.

If there’s one group in town that knows running better than any, it’s the Gulf Winds Track Club. A fixture of the Tallahassee sports community, Gulf Winds has been organizing races, raising funds for charity, advocating for trails and teaching generations of runners for over 40 years — and it has an event almost every weekend. You can view the race calendar at GulfWinds.org.

One of my favorite running events of the year is the annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning in the Southwood neighborhood. Every year, more and more runners, walkers and strollers join in the fun. Another fun run for the entire family is the Winter Festival’s Jingle Bell Run downtown on Dec. 7.

For those who want the ultimate challenge, the Ultra Distance Classic on Dec. 14 might be what you’re looking for. And on Feb. 2, Tallahassee will host the 45th annual Tallahassee Marathon, one of the longest standing marathons in the state, which brings out more than 1,000 runners.

So 40 years after I started, I want to thank my dad for the creative nudge into running. Whether you’re the fastest runner out there or you’re painfully slow like me, I encourage you to go outside for a walk, hike or run, and see for yourself why Tallahassee has earned its reputation as a great running community.

Bryan Desloge serves as Leon County Commissioner in District 4. He is a candidate for re-election. Reach him at 850-606-5300 or DeslogeB@LeonCountyFL.gov.

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