Running Medicine, a walking and running program for Native-Americans in New Mexico, is among five organizations recently selected as 2020 winners of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Sports Award.

The running organization joins AGE UP, Border Youth Tennis Exchange, Soccer in the Streets and the United States Association of Blind Athletes as a recipient of the prestigious award. The winners receive a $25,000 cash award and were honored at a virtual ceremony on October 4  that aired live on the RWJF Facebook page. 

Running Medicine offers family-oriented walking and running programs for Native-Americans in Albuquerque creating a culture of health that is available to all people regardless of ability, age, fitness level, or ability to pay. 

“We are excited to receive this RWJF Sports Award, and we look forward to the community that will be built among the award recipients over the months and years to come,” says Dr. Anthony Fleg, director of Running Medicine, in accepting the award..

This award recognizes and honors those in the sport who display an innovative and collaborative approach to making their communities a healthier place to live. This includes sports teams, athletes, and community-based organizations that use sports as a platform to address many of the root causes that influence health and health equity. 

Past winners include the Chattanooga Football Club, Chicago Fire Foundation, Doc Wayne, Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, Figure Skating in Harlem, InnerCity Weightlifting, MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation, MLSE Foundation, PeacePlayers International, San Francisco Giants Community Fund, Soccer Without Borders, The Moyer Foundation, The Sanneh Foundation, Tony Hawk Foundation, and the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy. 

“I'm inspired by this year's winners who show us the power of sports to connect us and make us healthier, no matter our race, gender, abilities, or economic background,” adds Julie Morita, RWJF executive VP. “Playing sports unites people, and that's a wonderful vision for a healthier, more just, more equitable world for everyone.” 

For more information on the award, visit www.rwjf.org/sportsaward