Lions, tigers, bears and lightly clad runners -- "Oh my!"

(With apologies to The Wizard of Oz.)

People in burkas. Image source.

Another funny bit in the Hill Rag comes from the article on the proceedings of ANC6C ("ANC 6C Report") and resident reaction to a fitness facility in a commercial-residential district on the 200 block of M Street NW and the presence of people running around outside in the neighborhood. The reaction is not dissimilar to the reaction in Williamsburg, Brooklyn to a bike lane with lightly clad women. (See "Vigilantes Repaint Bike Lane in Williamsburg" from NBC TV.) Although there are legitimate issues about a certificate of occupancy, and the proper zoning, which is also discussed in the article, and was what the ANC focused on.

From the article:

The two residents also described how Primal Fitness does not have treadmills like most area gyms, relegating members to running around the neighborhood wearing what they describe as skimpy clothing. “This is not acceptable in a residential neighborhood,” Keys said. “We have schools there, we have day care centers, we have churches.”

The commission, however, decided after much discussion not to include the runners in their conditions for approving the gym’s occupancy. “We can’t specify that they can’t run outside,” said Commissioner Anne Phelps.

Since when are schools, day care centers and churches somehow oppositional to physical fitness?

The whole point of "walkability" is what we might think of as "natural or utilitarian" fitness, exercising in the course of normal activities--walking or biking to work or school or on errands, etc. Sure, running is a purposive activity that it is an end in and of itself, but the city is supposed to be for everyone, including runners not wearing burkas.

Running in hijabs. Image source.

While DC's obesity rate is the lowest in the nation compared to other "states" there is no question that within certain demographics, the rate is in fact, high, and the trends are not favorable.

Also see the press release from the DC Department of Health, "District Releases First Ever Obesity Report And Obesity Action Plan" and the report, Obesity in the District of Columbia.