2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 225
Commending We Off The Couch.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 4, 2026
WHEREAS, We Off The Couch, based in Richmond, is a nonprofit community organization that was founded in 2019 to advance health equity goals through running and fitness programs; and
WHEREAS, We Off The Couch was established after founder Anthony Clary, Sr., experienced a transformative health journey, using running to overcome a pre-diabetic diagnosis and lose 100 pounds, inspiring him to share the life-changing benefits of physical fitness with his community; and
WHEREAS, as a Black-led nonprofit organization, We Off The Couch removes barriers to access and provides inclusive programming to foster physical and mental well-being across all age groups; and
WHEREAS, We Off The Couch has grown from two runners to more than 1,200 members in the Richmond community who gather three times weekly—on Monday evenings for She Off The Couch, a ladies-only run, Wednesday evenings for Extras Run, and Saturday mornings for community runs—creating a welcoming environment where “all paces are welcome” and “no one is ever left behind”; and
WHEREAS, We Off The Couch serves as a vital community anchor that brings together runners of many ages, races, fitness levels, and socioeconomic backgrounds, embodying the organization's motto “Your pace, your race”; and
WHEREAS, We Off The Couch has become a powerful force for positive change in Richmond, particularly during the social unrest and COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, providing a safe space for community members to gather, move, and support one another during challenging times; and