As the weather heats up, so, too, is activity at run specialty shops. Recent weeks have brought a flurry of celebrations, from Mother’s Day to Memorial Day to the most active Global Running Day yet. There’s also been spring marathons, the close of the track season and the arrival of summer training programs. Run shops are now hustling into summer with youth running camps, pub runs and races filling the calendar.
Running Insight senior writer Danny Smith recaps some lively and noteworthy activities at running stores across the U.S.
Honoring AAPI Heritage Month in Boston
To honor Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in May, the Marathon Sports store on Boston’s Boylston Street hosted a powerful night of movement and meaning headlined by a special community run through the city’s Chinatown neighborhood (photo above). The guided run on May 14 included stops at key landmarks, from historical sites to cultural touchpoints, “to reflect on the deep-rooted history and contributions of the AAPI community” in Boston.
How about some pre-triathlon hair braiding?
Before the She Tris race in Mount Pleasant, SC, on May 17, Blue Sky Endurance offered free hair braiding – the aptly named “Blue Sky Braids” – at the triathlon’s event expo. The unique service is the brainchild of Blue Sky Endurance founder and owner Catherine Hollister, who first developed a love for hair braiding back in junior high. Looking to differentiate Blue Sky Endurance amid the first She Tris race expo in 2018, Hollister followed a former coach’s advice – “Just be you.” – and offered free hair braiding.
“To my surprise, there was a line at my tent before sunrise!” Hollister recalls.
Hollister has continued offering “Blue Sky Braids” at subsequent She Tris races in Mount Pleasant and she savors the opportunity to connect with women, many of whom are first-time triathletes. “Braiding became a way to calm their nerves, chat about the training, focus on their strengths and remind them to have fun,” Hollister says.
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Swags spotlights everyday standouts
Recent episodes in the video series include Swags staff member Jake Burkey asking Legends about their journey into running, balancing training with life’s daily demands and unique aspects of their life. The series not only showcases these everyday folks and their personal stories, but also allows Swags to highlight its fit process, as Burkey leads Legends through the store’s sit-and-fit experience and introduces other solutions to enhance their fitness experience.
While Swags posts teaser videos on its Instagram page, the entire Swags Legends’ videos, which run about six minutes, can be found on the store’s YouTube channel.
Honoring local students
In April, South Carolina-based Fleet Feet Charleston recognized its latest crop of S.P.A.R.K. (Supporting Passionate Athletes with Resources and Kindness) Scholars.
Launched in 2020, S.P.A.R.K. awards a new group of high school student athletes with shoes, socks, insoles and sports bras each semester. Parents, coaches or school staff can nominate potential recipients, who are then selected by how they exemplify Fleet Feet Charleston’s Core Values of “Doing the Right Thing” and “Engaging and Empowering the Community.”
“We love being able to give back to the community in this way by honoring outstanding student-athletes [and] recognizing them for their accomplishments in a different way,” Fleet Feet Charleston marketing coordinator Jennifer Roberts says, adding that several shoe brands, including Brooks, ASICS, New Balance, Mizuno and Diadora, partner with Fleet Feet Charleston on the initiative.
“Pay What You Can” entries at the Steamboat Classic
RC Outfitters in Peoria, IL, partnered with the famed Steamboat Classic and offered a limited number of “Pay What You Can” entries to both the 4-mile and 15K races on June 14 in downtown Peoria. The unique offering allowed underserved runners the ability to choose their registration fee based on their budget and made the Steamboat start line a place for the entire community.
“No one should be denied the opportunity to run based on their financial circumstance,” RC Outfitters and Steamboat Classic officials declared on the event website.
Track those summer miles
In partnership with Nike, Ohio’s Columbus Running Company (CRC) invited runners from local schools to visit one of CRC’s six stores to pick up a free Nike x CRC training poster. By charting their summer miles, athletes are eligible to win Nike trainers or custom sublimated singlets for their entire team. “If you want to race with the best in the fall, it all starts in the summer,” CRC reminded young harriers.
In addition to the training posters, CRC engages local athletes in other ways throughout the summer, including its annual cross country camp, a summertime mile event and an extended CRC Team Week filled with discounts and kickbacks to school cross country programs.
New stores, a relocation and a triumphant re-opening
On May 10, Wild Coast Running Co. (photo above) celebrated the grand opening of its new storefront in Coos Bay, OR, notable as the hometown of running legend Steve Prefontaine. The new, bigger space is located directly next to Wild Coast’s original home on Broadway.
On Cinco de Mayo, Big Peach Running Co. continued its growing ways with the opening of a new store in Gainesville, GA. That makes 14 stores for the Atlanta-based business.
Further north that same week, longtime Fleet Feet Chicago operators Dave and Lisa Zimmer opened a new store in Algonquin, IL, on May 7. It is the ninth store in the Zimmers’ Windy City enterprise.
Have a compelling event, project or initiative to propose for a future Running Spirit column? Contact Running Insight senior writer Danny Smith at [email protected] with details. You can also follow Danny on Instagram @runspecialtyinsider.
