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In our increasingly digitized landscape where running shoes and gear can be purchased online and on the cheap, brick-and-mortar running stores are proving as important as ever before.
There are the obvious reasons: an expert can find optimal shoe options for your foot and gait, you can try the shoes on to see if they actually work before purchasing, you’re supporting your local economy. And then there are the less obvious reasons, such as the instrumental role local shoe stores play in creating a running community, supporting local causes, and fostering a culture of health and fitness. Plus, visiting your local running store is less about a transactional experience to buy new gear, and more about invigorating your own inspiration for running.
It’s a nuance Cathy and Ray Pugsley, husband-and-wife owners of Virginia-based PR Run & Walk, understand deeply. Their passion for empowering others to put one foot in front of the other is why they got into this business. And now their company is the 2024 Running Store of the Year.
“There are many benefits to going to an independent, locally owned store that most people don’t even think of,” Ray says. “There’s the notion that tax dollars stay in your community that many people understand, but beyond that we’re hiring people in the local community, we’re putting on races, we’re creating training programs, we serve as a gathering place, and a place to disseminate information about wellness, and helping people be as happy as they can while exercising. And it’s hard to put an exact value on that.”
Running has changed a lot over the past 20 years, and so has their business. They started with two stores in 2003 and have since grown to 10 shops. But no matter how much their business expands, the mission remains the same: serving the needs of their local communities. The Pugsleys, who were married in 2001, each come from competitive running backgrounds. And yet their business has been built around promoting health and fitness for all levels of participants, welcoming anyone into their stores who is interested in running or walking.
While PR Run & Walk is in the business of selling running shoes, apparel, and accessories, the Pugsleys have taken pride in fostering life-changing inspiration through local training programs, putting on numerous races, encouraging new runners and walkers to get started, sponsoring regional runner rankings, and supporting local school running programs.
The stores’ exceptional customer service, personalized shoe-fitting processes, welcoming atmosphere, and support of their local communities has made the business a beloved community resource through the years. On November 21, PR Run & Walk earned the prestigious national honor of being named the 2024 Running Store of the Year at The Running Event trade show in Austin, Texas.
“Running is about more than miles—it’s about finding our people, our community, and creating connections that last a lifetime,” Cathy says. “Life is better when we lift each other up, and this industry’s collaborative spirit proves we’re all stronger together.”
Over 12,500 stores across 29 states were nominated for the honor by customers, employees, and industry professionals. Through a detailed evaluation process, stores were assessed by an industry task force on criteria such as community engagement, sustainability efforts, inclusivity, mentorship opportunities, employee benefits, and innovation. The final determination of winners included secret shopper evaluations of the in-store experience.
“It’s truly inspiring to see how these retailers continue to uplift their communities and drive the running industry forward,” says Christina Henderson, event director of The Running Event.
RELATED: Shop Small Business Saturday: Why Your Local Running Store Matters
A Hyperlocal Focus
Amid a booming new running population, competition from online retailers and the disruption of Covid-19, PR Run & Walk has continued to flourish. While the pandemic shutdown of 2020 limited its business (and contributed to the closure of its Washington D.C. store), it adapted by doing online shoe-fittings, home deliveries, and outdoor sales events. That galvanized trust in their local communities and became a windfall as committed, lapsed, and new runners helped create a post-pandemic surge of participation.
PR Run & Walk has evolved through the years by capitalizing on advanced technology in its shoe-fitting process, embracing diversity in its 80-person staff and customer base, and going out of its way to celebrate walking for those customers who aren’t interested in running. (It rebranded its stores in 2022-2023 from its original name—Potomac River Running—to further embrace walking and general fitness.) In addition to backing local school teams and runners, it also supports the needs of local teachers, first responders, and military members.
The Pugsleys believe shopping at their stores offers customers the best way to find the optimal shoes to match their foot size and shape, as well as gait. Their personalized fitting process includes advanced video gait evaluations, 3D foot-scanning, and shoe-fitting technology, not to mention insights and tips from its knowledgeable staff and a wide range of shoes available in a wide range of sizes and colors.
“There are a lot of great products that have very subtle differences, and the human body is very complex and everybody’s different. We believe you’re going to be so much happier if you have a shoe that is the right shape and optimally functioning for you,” Ray says. “We take pride in great customer service and great technology to provide a great experience to be able to help guide you to a shoe that’s going to work for you.”
However, the business of a locally owned running retail store is much more than just selling shoes, apparel, and accessories. It’s about serving the community in numerous ways and making everyone feel welcome.
RELATED: How Running Shoes and Coffee Help a Woman-Owned Business Build a Sense of Community
Here are all the nominees for the 2024 Best Running Stores in the U.S. as honored by The Running Event running industry trade show.
Alaska
AKtive Soles Performance Footwear
Arizona
Sole Sports Running Zone
Tortoise & Hare Sports
Arkansas
Fleet Feet Fayetteville
California
A Runner’s Mind
A Snail’s Pace Running Shop
Colorado
Runners Roost Lakewood
Connecticut
CT Run Company
Florida
Running Zone
Track Shack
Georgia
Big Peach Running Company
Game Changers Running Company
Howe2Run
Illinois
Naperville Running Company
RC Outfitters
RunWell
Indiana
Fleet Feet Fort Wayne
Kansas
The Running Well Store
Kentucky
Fleet Feet Louisville
John’s Run/Walk Shop
Maryland
Charm City Run
Run Moore
Massachusetts
Whirlaway Sports Center
Michigan
Gazelle Sports
Playmakers
Running Lab
Minnesota
Mill City Running
Missouri
The Running Well Store
Montana
The Runner’s Edge
New Jersey
Fleet Feet Montclair
Fleet Feet Northern New Jersey
New York
Confluence Running
Runner’s Edge
North Carolina
Bull City Running Company
Charlotte Running Company
Coastal Sole
Fleet Feet Carrboro & Durham
Ohio
Columbus Running Company
Up and Running in Dayton
Oklahoma
Red Coyote Running & Fitness
Oregon
Run Hub Northwest
Pennsylvania
Appalachian Running Company
Aardvark Sports Shop
Fleet Feet West Reading
Philadelphia Runner
Pro Bike + Run
South Carolina
Fleet Feet Charleston
Grounded Running
Palmetto Running Company
South Dakota
605 Running Company
Tennessee
Fleet Feet Nashville
Terra Running Company
Texas
Get Fit
Good Times Running Company
iRun Texas
Waco Running Company
Virginia
Pacers Running
Point 2 Running Company
PR Run & Walk
RunAbout Sports
Running Etc.
Utah
Salt Lake Running Company
Wisconsin
Fleet Feet Fox Valley
Performance Running Outfitters
RELATED: Woman-owned Ridgefield Running Company Named Best Running Store of the Year for 2022
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