Peace Runners has always believed that our programming is about much more than running. It's about creating opportunities for people to improve their health, build relationships, and strengthen their community.
This study in partnership with Kent State University was designed to answer an important question: Can we measure that impact?
"people may come for the movement, but they stay because they find connection, support, and a sense of belonging."
The data, collected from hundreds of participants, confirmed what this community has experienced for years: people may come for the movement, but they stay because they find connection, support, and a sense of belonging. Those relationships create a ripple effect that extends far beyond the individual, helping build healthier people and, ultimately, stronger communities.
how we measured impact
With researchers from Kent State, we measured participants at the beginning and end of the program, looking at changes in physical activity, mental health, workplace productivity, and community connection. We also compared first-time participants with returning participants to better understand the long-term impact of staying involved with Peace Runners. But we knew the numbers alone wouldn't tell the whole story. That's why we also asked participants to share their own experiences in their own words. Our hope was simple: that the data and the stories would either reinforce one another or challenge us to think differently.
MOVEMENT CREATES MOMENTUM
One of the most significant changes we saw was between our pre-program rookies and year 4+ returning veterans, who averaged 138 minutes more of exercise per week!
Participants consistently describe changes that ripple outward, where families begin exercising together, their kids begin running, and spouses train together. From here, friends join the organization, and participants encourage coworkers and neighbors to become more active. Participants reported:
● 45% increase in attachment to the neighborhood
● 51% increase in sense of belonging to the the neighborhood
● 17% increase in likelihood of moving back to the neighborhood
This increased commitment to the Garfield Park neighborhood has
strong potential for positive economic impact on the local economy.
NETWORK EFFECT: BEYOND INDIVIDUAL
