#WeAreTheTraffic Movement in Albany

The #WeAreTheTraffic movement, started by Albany native King Randall, is a growing grassroots effort that brings people together for early morning runs and walks through downtown Albany. What began as a simple fitness routine has transformed into a powerful way to shine light on preventable health challenges, foster stronger community connections, and encourage civic involvement through the simple act of moving together.

How It Started

What started as King Randall’s solo early morning runs through Albany’s streets soon grew beyond just him. After sharing his routine online, curious friends and neighbors began to join. First a handful, then dozens, and within days nearly 200 people were moving together through Albany’s streets before sunrise. Behind the growing momentum was a serious purpose: confronting the community’s struggles with preventable diseases like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Out of those early steps, the #WeAreTheTraffic movement was born—a call to health, unity, and hope carried forward one mile at a time.

In King's own words:

(VA) "What made you want to start the running movement downtown?"

(KR) "The spark came after a conversation with our coroner, who explained why so many people in Albany were dying. It wasn’t primarily violence—it was preventable health issues. People were dying from lack of movement and exercise, leading to heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses. That conversation made it clear to me that Albany has a true health crisis. I realized we needed to create a movement that wasn’t just symbolic but would directly address this crisis. Starting a downtown run brought attention to health, while also bringing consistent energy and traffic back to our city center. It allowed us to attack two problems at once: saving lives through exercise and breathing life back into downtown Albany."

What It Looks Like

Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 5:30 a.m., dozens of people gather at Riverfront Park in Albany to run or walk a 1.4-mile downtown loop. Some jog at the front, others stroll at the back, but all are welcomed no matter age, background, or fitness level. The real energy comes from the encouragement and camaraderie, with participants cheering each other on, bringing their kids, and turning early mornings into a shared routine of health and connection.

In King's own words:

(VA) "What does it mean to you?"

(KR) "For me, this movement is about hope, healing, and unity. Every morning when I see hundreds of people—young, old, Black, white, rich, poor—out there running or walking side by side, it shows what Albany can be at its best. It means that we are breaking down barriers and excuses. It means that our community isn’t waiting on someone else to save us; we’re taking steps, literally, to save ourselves. On a personal level, it reminds me why I do the work I do. This is about creating a culture of health, discipline, and encouragement. Seeing families come out together, birthdays celebrated on the pavement, and people who once struggled to walk now running laps—it means the world."

The Message and Significance

The name and hashtag #WeAreTheTraffic was born when King Randall noticed that at 5 a.m., the only movement on the streets was his running group - sparking the quote “there is no traffic because we are the traffic.” That simple phrase became the heartbeat of the movement, symbolizing more than fitness. It represents empowerment, unity, and the idea that change begins with ordinary people taking action. By showing up together week after week, participants are not only tackling health challenges but also reshaping how Albany is seen showcasing a community that is active, engaged, and determined to lead itself forward. The movement’s energy has now spread beyond Albany to nearby cities like Dawson, Cairo, Adel, Bainbridge, Thomasville, Moultrie and more, inspiring others to take charge of their health and communities.

In King's own words:

(VA) "How do you feel that it has inspired the community and spread to other communities as well?"

(KR) "The response has been overwhelming. In Albany, we’ve seen people lose weight, lower their blood pressure, and most importantly, gain confidence and community. Many participants have told us this is the first time they’ve ever worked out consistently in their lives. That consistency is creating lasting change. Beyond Albany, the energy has spread to other cities in Southwest Georgia. Groups are forming in other towns because they’ve seen the results here and want the same transformation where they live. That tells me that this is bigger than just one city—it’s a regional movement that has the power to change the way we think about health and community across Southwest Georgia."

Join The Movement

The #WeAreTheTraffic movement demonstrates the power of simple, consistent action. What began as King Randall’s solo morning runs has grown into a community-wide effort that spans Albany and nearby cities, bringing people together to improve health, build connections, and inspire civic engagement. It’s more than fitness, it’s about empowerment, unity, and taking initiative. Anyone can get involved: just show up for a local run or walk, join the group, and be part of a movement that proves small steps can make a big difference for both individuals and the community.

In King's own words:

(VA) "Anything else you would like to add…"

(KR) "This is about more than running. It’s about rewriting the story of Albany. For too long, our headlines have focused on crime, poverty, and decline. Now, the most talked-about thing in our city is hundreds of people running together before sunrise. That is powerful. We’ve proven that if you create the space and the energy, people will show up. And when they show up, they don’t just run—they connect, they encourage, they support local businesses, and they carry that energy back into their homes, schools, and workplaces. We are showing that real change doesn’t start with speeches or promises; it starts with action. One step, one lap, one morning at a time."

Author

Katie Jenkins

Design & Marketing Specialist