I’m looking to expand the perspective of runners on the Chessie Trail. By comparing how each of the runners access the trail and their method of communication will be key.
FOTC sends out news articles, this is one of the ways many the runners were informed of the 5k and half marathon. Couples such as Brad and Lisa Patterson, who’s has ties to Lexington through family and friends get to stay connected with events in the area. However, Katie Beringer and Ryan Derrick of Washington, D.C heard about the event just by passing through the region due to a wedding.
Suggestions I have include:
• Posting a article or a blog on the Friends Of The Chesse website regarding access for runners. Here runners can share pictures, video’s, and comments with other runners interested in the trail. Add different sections: Improvements, accessibility, the good and bad
• Braiding the way on lexingtonvirginia.com explores outdoor recreation activities like hiking, paddle boating, biking, fishing, and climbing. Yet, there is nothing for runners. I would be interested in working with their web master to add another column for runners.
• Suggest to FOTC that they should expand their horizons by possibly adding facts about the Chessie on websites such as “Runners World”and “American Trails.org” both of which runners view weekly for new and upcoming events.
Kerisha
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” ― Mahatma Gandhi
Kerisha, What would a sample blog post look like for runners connecting the trail to Braiding the Way Project. What criteria would you use to highlight aspects of trail uniqueness. What models are you using for the blog/ article, and how would it be maintained once you set it up?
Please send this progress report with a sample of one or two entries of blog, and a recommended list of sites you like to link to FOCT to Lisa Tracy, so she can respond to a concrete example on behalf of the FOCT when she meets with everyone on Thursday. Their next advisory council is on Thursday night.
MAJ Hodde
Kerisha,
Running is a big recreation activity in Lexington, so it’s interesting to know that there is no section regarding running on the site, lexingtonvirginia.com. From what I have read, you definitely know who your intended audience is and your goal for expanding the perspective of runners can be very applicable to VMI cadets and the community. When you said “Yet, there is nothing for runners,” I thought that was your strongest line. Runners are usually outdoor enthusiasts that love to spread the word out about running trails and their experience to other runners. What better way to expand the knowledge of the trail and running, than by informing the public through blog posts and a column on the site! If runners are able to share their own experiences of running through the trail by pictures and videos, I believe that it would be highly interactive and attract all age groups.
Your suggestions are applicable and could attract the trail to so many more people. Your posts can discuss about many different topics and can be very informative to the public. However, if you were to write the blog for the FOTC website, I suggest you look up more information, because from what I remember, I did not think your Source Deck contained sources that provided enough content to write a long blog post. If you were to write about improvements and accessibility, you can talk to me, COL Williams, or Lisa Tracy about the currents proposals and improvements of the trail. In addition, if you were to write the blog, what if you add a personal piece? You could write about your own experience and opinions about running on the trail so it encourages others to do the same.
– Yun