While at my son’s soccer game the other weekend, I saw a young toddler purse her lips and push herself up from the ground with a determined look on her face. After a few wobbly steps she broke into a run, screaming with glee. She had no place to go, nothing to do, and no finish line to cross. Watch any young child and it’s easy to see that kids just love to run! Seconds before the little girl was about to be trampled by several boys battling over a soccer ball, her mother swooped in, scooped her up, and carried her off the field. This did not go well with the little girl, who kicked and screamed in protest of her interrupted run. Like the mother on the soccer field, we as parents need to make sure our kids have the opportunity to run in a safe environment. Here are a few organizations in North Carolina that are creating great environments for children to run, bike, swim and be healthy.