The 50 Best Running Stores in America for 2015

Naperville Running Company

A great running store is the cornerstone of a healthy running community. It not only provides the latest knowledge on shoes and gear, but also fosters a passion for the sport by building a thriving community around it. Only through exemplary customer service, insightful industry knowledge and well-organized provisions of run programs and events can a store be considered one of the best—especially in an era dominated by online shopping. A great store is so much more than just a place to buy gear.

Hence, every year Competitor magazine partners with Running Insight trade magazine to celebrate and identify these qualities in the 50 best running stores across the nation. The process begins with readers nominating their favorite shops on Competitor.com, followed by diligent evaluations executed by undercover shoppers.

Here we reveal the full list of 50 best stores and the final four in the running for Store of the Year, in which the winner will be announced on Dec. 3 at The Running Event trade show in Austin, Texas. 

RELATED: Insights to Excellence from the 50 Best Running Stores in America

The Final Four

One of these four shops will be revealed as the 2015 Running Store of the Year on Dec. 3 based on criteria that include best retail environment, shoe-fitting checkout process, community service and credit ratings from vendors.

Red Coyote Running and Fitness – Oklahoma City

West Stride – Atlanta

Fleet Feet Rochester – Rochester, N.Y.

A Snail’s Pace – Fountain Valley, Calif.

RELATED: Get to Know the 2015 Finalists of the 50 Best Running Stores in America

RELATED: Top Shops—Past Winners of The Running Store of the Year Honors

The 50 Best

Alabama

Fleet Feet Huntsville

Alaska

Skinny Raven, Anchorage

Arkansas

Rush Running Co., Bentonville

Arizona

Sole Sports, Tempe

California

A Runner’s Mind, San Francisco
A Snail’s Pace, Fountain Valley
Fleet Feet Aptos

Florida

1st Place Sports, Jacksonville
Fit2Run, Miami
FitNiche, Lakeland
Jacksonville Running Co., Jacksonville
Running Zone, Melbourne
Runner’s Depot, Davie
Track Shack, Orlando

Georgia

Big Peach Running Co., Atlanta
West Stride, Atlanta

Illinois

Dick Pond Athletics, Schaumburg
Fleet Feet Chicago, Chicago
Naperville Running Co., Naperville
Running Central, Peoria

Indiana

Fleet Feet Fort Wayne
Three Rivers Running, Fort Wayne

Kansas

KC Running & Sports Medicine Store, Leawood

Maine

Fleet Feet Maine, Portland

Maryland

Charm City Run, Maryland
Fleet Feet Baltimore

Massachusetts

Marathon Sports, Boston
New England Running Co., Beverly
Whirlaway Sports, Methuen

Michigan

Gazelle Sports, Kalamazoo
Playmakers, Okemos

Minnesota

Fleet Feet Minneapolis
Mill City Running, Minneapolis

Missouri

Big River Running, St. Louis
The Running Well Store, Kansas City

Montana

Runner’s Edge, Missoula

New Jersey

Haddonfield Running Co., Haddonfield

New York

Fleet Feet Rochester
Fleet Feet Syracuse
Medved Running & Walking Outfitters, Rochester
Sayville Running Co., Sayville

North Carolina

Bull City Running Co., Durham
Run For Your Life, Charlotte

Ohio

Columbus Running Co., Dublin
Second Sole, Akron
Up and Running, Dayton

Oklahoma

Red Coyote Running and Fitness, Oklahoma City

South Carolina

Fleet Feet Mt. Pleasant

Tennessee

Fleet Feet Nashville

Texas

iRun Texas, San Antonio
Luke’s Locker, Dallas

Utah

Salt Lake Running Co.

Virginia

Pacers, Arlington
Potomac River Running, Arlington

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