Top Shops: The 50 Best Running Specialty Stores In America For 2014
There are a lot of great running shops across the country, but every year a select few stand out among the rest.

There are a lot of great running shops across the country, but every year a select few stand out among the rest.
The best running stores in the U.S. offer exemplary customer service for every type of runner, organize training programs, group runs and local races, and provide knowledge and insights about the latest trends, the newest gear, proper running form, local trails and injury prevention. In other words, it’s much more about spreading the joy and passion of running than it is about selling new shoes and gear.
Every year, Competitor magazine partners with Running Insight trade magazine to identify the 50 Best Running Stores in America. It starts with readers nominating their favorite shops on Competitor.com. Then there is a rigorous evaluation process, which includes runner nominations, mystery shopping to assess customer service, credit ratings from vendors, and assessments about local programs and community commitment.
Which running shop is the best in the country for 2014? The Columbus Running Company was named The Running Store of the Year for 2014 on Dec. 4 at an industry-only trade show in Austin, Texas. Here’s a glimpse of the four finalists and all of the shops earning the 50 Best Running Stores in America seal of approval for 2014.
RELATED: 10 Reasons To Shop At A Running Specialty Store
The Four Finalists
Here are the four stores chosen as finalists for the 2014 Running Store of the Year honor that will be awarded on Dec. 4.
Columbus Running Company – Dublin and Columbus, Ohio
Fleet Feet Baltimore – Baltimore, Maryland
Running Central – Peoria, Illinois
Track Shack – Orlando, Florida
RELATED: Past Winners Of The Running Store Of The Year Honors
The 50 Best Running Stores In America For 2014
Here is the entire list of the 50 Best Running Stores in the U.S. for 2014 based on 20 criteria, including retail environment, shoe-fitting, checkout process, credit worthiness and community service.
Alabama
– Fleet Feet Huntsville, Huntsville
Alaska
– Skinny Raven, Anchorage
Arkansas
– Rush Running Company, Bentonville
Arizona
– Fleet Feet Tucson, Tucson
– Sole Sports, Tempe
– Tortoise & Hare Sports, Glendale
California
– Sole 2 Soul, Visalia
Florida
– Fit Niche, Lakeland
– Fleet Feet Stuart, Stuart
– Jacksonville Running Company, Jacksonville
– Running Zone, Melbourne
– St. Petersburg Running Company, St. Petersburg
– Track Shack, Orlando
Georgia
– Big Peach Running Company, Atlanta
– Classic City Running, Buford
– West Stride, Atlanta
Idaho
– Schu’s Idaho Running Company, Boise
Illinois
– Dick Pond Athletics, Schaumburg
– Fleet Feet Chicago, Chicago
– Geneva Running Outfitters, Geneva
– Naperville Running Company, Naperville
– Running Central, Peoria
Indiana
– Fleet Feet Schererville, Schererville
– Runner’s Forum, Indianapolis
– Three Rivers Running, Fort Wayne
– Tri-N-Run, Lafayette
Kentucky
– Tri State Running, Edgewood
Louisiana
– Sports Spectrum, Shreveport
Maine
– Maine Running Company, Portland
Maryland
– Charm City Run, Timonium
– Fleet Feet Baltimore, Baltimore
Massachusetts
– Whirlaway Sports, Methuen
Michigan
– Playmakers, Okemos
Missouri
– Big River Running Company, St. Louis
– The Running Well Store, Kansas City
– Ultra Max, Columbia
Montana
– Runner’s Edge, Missoula
Nebraska
– Red Dirt Running, Omaha
New Hampshire
– Runner’s Alley, Portsmouth
New Mexico
– Bosque Running, Albuquerque
New York
– Fleet Feet Rochester, Rochester
– Fleet Feet Syracuse, East Syracuse
North Carolina
– Charlotte Running Co, Charlotte
Ohio
– Columbus Running Company, Dublin
– Vertical Runner, Hudson
Oklahoma
– Red Coyote Running, Oklahoma City
Pennsylvania
– Emmaus Run Inn, Emmaus
Rhode Island
– Rhode Runner, Providence
Tennessee
– Fleet Feet Brentwood, Brentwood
Texas
– IRun Texas, San Antonio
– Luke’s Locker, Dallas
Utah
– Salt Lake Running, Salt Lake City
Virginia
– Pacers, Arlington
Wisconsin
– Performance Running Outfitters, Brookfield
RELATED: Naperville Running Co. Named Best Running Store In America For 2013