(SMITH CENTER, KS — SEPTEMBER 14, 2026) — Smith County Memorial Hospital (SCMH) and National Fitness Campaign (NFC) are proud to celebrate the relaunch of the Fitness Court® Studio at 921 E. Highway 36 in conjunction with the Settlers Day Color and Prairie Fun Run on Saturday, September 26th at 7:30 AM. The Fun Run will start at the Fitness Court® Studio, bringing the community together for a day of movement, wellness, and celebration. 

Residents can register for the event here: https://forms.gle/vxAdYSTqau7MqyLV6

Since its original launch in July 2025, which drew the attention of U.S. Senator Jerry Moran during a tour of the SCMH campus, the Fitness Court® Studio has served as a cornerstone of community health in Smith Center. This relaunch is an opportunity to reconnect the community with the Fitness Court and introduce residents to the full range of digital wellness programming available through the free Fitness Court® App.

“The Fitness Court is more than a place to exercise; it represents the kind of community we want to help build,” said Sarah Ragsdale, CEO of Smith County Memorial Hospital. “We want people of every fitness level to feel like there is a place for them to move, grow stronger and take an active role in their health. The Color the Prairie Fun Run with Fitness Court demonstrations brings that vision to life by making wellness something we can pursue together while having a lot of fun.”

"Smith County Memorial Hospital and their team of physical therapists have shown what true community partnership looks like. From the original launch to this relaunch, they have done a tremendous job activating the Fitness Court® Studio and championing the health of their community. We are proud to stand alongside them and look forward to seeing Smith Center continue to lead the way," said Mitch Menaged, founder of National Fitness Campaign.

The Fitness Court® Studio was developed by SCMH, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, and NFC to expand free access to high-quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise for communities across the region. 

The event is made possible through the generous support of local community partners, including Tribe Fitness, Smith County Community Foundation, and Smith County Drug and Alcohol Council. The Fitness Court® is the world's best outdoor gym that lets users leverage their own bodyweight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations.

At the relaunch event, SCMH staff will be on hand to guide community members through the Fitness Court® Studio and demonstrate how to digitally activate the Fitness Court through the free Fitness Court® App, which provides access to a full workout library, guided video tutorials, and health tracking tools. Participants are encouraged to download the free Fitness Court® App and explore the Fitness Court Trainer Program, which offers ACE-certified training and continuing education credits for those interested in leading workouts and programming at the Fitness Court. 

Created for adults of all abilities aged 14+, the Fitness Court® Studio workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. Smith County Memorial Hospital is one of 15+ Campaign Partners building a network of Fitness Courts across the state, with the help of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas.

Residents are invited to join the Old Settlers’ Day Color and Prairie Fun Run on September 26th, beginning at the Fitness Court® Studio at 921 E. Highway 36. SCMH staff will be available throughout the event to guide participants through the Fitness Court and the Fitness Court® App. 

To learn more or to pre-register, visit www.scmhks.org/funrun. Participants are also welcome to register the day of the event starting at 7:00 a.m. Color run and walk events include a ¾ mile kids’ dash, 2-mile walk, 5K run or walk, and 10K run. The kids’ dash is $15. All other events are $25. All finishers receive a custom race medal. Fitness Court demonstrations are free to attend. For more information, call or text Shannon Rogers at Smith County Memorial Hospital at 785-376-7171. 

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About Smith County Memorial Hospital

Smith County Memorial Hospital (SCMH) is a caring and community-oriented health system based in North Central Kansas, where every patient is treated like family. Built on a nearly 70-year legacy that began with the historic Ingleboro Mansion, SCMH has been evolving to meet modern needs, relocating to its current leading-edge facility on Highway 36 in 2018. Guided by a mission "to set the standard of excellence in healthcare for North Central Kansas," SCMH's compassionate team delivers physical, mental, and spiritual care through close, personal relationships in a small-town setting. Under CEO Sarah Ragsdale's leadership, the hospital is committed to doing the right thing every day: empowering patients, developing staff, practicing stewardship, and engaging with the community to foster vibrant health for all.

About National Fitness Campaign

Founded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign is a wellness consulting firm that provides programs and services to cities, schools, and sponsors. Our mission is to build healthy communities nationwide. The campaign delivers an integrated wellness initiative centered around the Fitness Court® — the world's best outdoor gym. National Fitness Campaign is preparing to welcome its 750th healthy community as it continues to grow the country's largest public-private partnership in support of wellness, with the goal of building a Fitness Court® within a 10-minute bike ride of every American. Learn more about National Fitness Campaign at nationalfitnesscampaign.com and follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.