Posted: Tue, 25 May 2010 03:46 PM - 13,481 Readers

By: John Egan

Austin ranks as the 10th fittest city in the country, according to Shape magazine.

The Shape list of fittest cities:

• Washington, D.C.
• Boston, MA
• St. Paul, MN
• Seattle, WA
• Portland, OR
• Denver, CO
• Sacramento, CA
• Hartford, CT
• Austin, TX

“Texans might like things big, but Austinites are significantly less obese than the rest of the country. Austin ranks near the top in terms of city parkland (there are 220 in the area), but it also has a young, highly active community and low rates of chronic diseases like asthma, heart disease, and diabetes,” the magazine said.

“One of Austin’s features that makes it easy to be active is Lady Bird Lake in the middle of the city. Locals run or walk along the surrounding trail and kayak or row on the lake.”

The magazine cites cycling as a “hot trend” in Austin, thanks in part to Lance Armstrong.

PR executive Darlene Fiske told the magazine: “I like being surrounded by lakes, rivers, and parks. I used to row crew at the University of Texas, and I still go sculling on Lake Austin. I’m never alone out there!”

Adding to Austin’s position among the country’s fittest cities are the Lake Austin Spa Resort as well as the Whole Foods Market at West Sixth Street and North Lamar Boulevard, according to Shape.




photograph courtesy of Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau