Fitness Evolution Part 2
By: Toni Valliere
Updated: February 19, 2013
JOPLIN, MO.--- Travis Keller started running when he was in junior high and today it's become a lifestyle.
"I can just relax and pound out the stress of the day," states Travis Keller, Runner.
Erik Bartlett's life was also changed from hitting the pavement. Erik weighed more than 250 pounds, before he started in running in 2004. He has since lost about 100 pounds.
"I'm able to live an active lifestyle, be able to workout and run on a daily basis," states Erick Bartlett, Owner, The Run Around.
Erik and his wife Cathy now run marathons together and they've turned their passion for running into a business. In 2009, they opened a running store called The Run Around on Joplin's north Main Street.
"We had a lot of people say Joplin is not a running community, there's nothing here to support this. We found out very quickly that people wanted that presence in Joplin," states Bartlett.
The Bartlett's success forced them to move to a larger facility at the end 2012 in order to meet the demand. They aren't the only ones seeing new runners everyday. Joplin's trail system is also growing in popularity. As a result, the current system is being expanded.
"We've actually allocated $4.5 million of our Federal Community Block Grant Program for the extension of the trails and reconstruction and construction of sidewalks," states Troy Bolander, Planning & Community Development Director.
Over the next few years, the existing trails will be connected to one another. In addition, bicycle lanes are being added to streets that are being reconstructed since the May 22 tornado.
"We noticed a big demand especially from the younger generation, they're looking at other modes of transportation," says Bolander.
Keeping up with the demand may also help boost the local economy.
"Companies, when they research a community, they look at what they can offer their employees. Happy employees are better employees," states David Hertzberg, Director of Public Works.
Having to add employees, is keeping Erik and Cathy very happy.
"We're very excited for the next 3 years, to just see how it's grown and it hasn't slowed down since we opened," states Bartlett.
The success of The Run Around has also led Erik and Cathy to expand their services, which now include yoga classes and hosting weekly group runs. For more information on the running classes offered at the Y.M.C.A., click here.
"I can just relax and pound out the stress of the day," states Travis Keller, Runner.
Erik Bartlett's life was also changed from hitting the pavement. Erik weighed more than 250 pounds, before he started in running in 2004. He has since lost about 100 pounds.
"I'm able to live an active lifestyle, be able to workout and run on a daily basis," states Erick Bartlett, Owner, The Run Around.
Erik and his wife Cathy now run marathons together and they've turned their passion for running into a business. In 2009, they opened a running store called The Run Around on Joplin's north Main Street.
"We had a lot of people say Joplin is not a running community, there's nothing here to support this. We found out very quickly that people wanted that presence in Joplin," states Bartlett.
The Bartlett's success forced them to move to a larger facility at the end 2012 in order to meet the demand. They aren't the only ones seeing new runners everyday. Joplin's trail system is also growing in popularity. As a result, the current system is being expanded.
"We've actually allocated $4.5 million of our Federal Community Block Grant Program for the extension of the trails and reconstruction and construction of sidewalks," states Troy Bolander, Planning & Community Development Director.
Over the next few years, the existing trails will be connected to one another. In addition, bicycle lanes are being added to streets that are being reconstructed since the May 22 tornado.
"We noticed a big demand especially from the younger generation, they're looking at other modes of transportation," says Bolander.
Keeping up with the demand may also help boost the local economy.
"Companies, when they research a community, they look at what they can offer their employees. Happy employees are better employees," states David Hertzberg, Director of Public Works.
Having to add employees, is keeping Erik and Cathy very happy.
"We're very excited for the next 3 years, to just see how it's grown and it hasn't slowed down since we opened," states Bartlett.
The success of The Run Around has also led Erik and Cathy to expand their services, which now include yoga classes and hosting weekly group runs. For more information on the running classes offered at the Y.M.C.A., click here.
