The top store in specialty run retail in the United States were announced on Tuesday, with 65 unique locations being honored for providing the exceptional customer experiences, boosting local communities and their continuing their investments in the running industry.
The winners of the Best Running Stores prize were named by The Running Event from more than 8,300 submissions in 49 states from 268 locations and will be recognized in December in San Antonio.
Store that were nominated under went a through evaluation process that assessed operations, customer experience, community initiatives, employee support, road map and other criteria.
Following the first evaluation, a shortlist of 100 stores were visited twice by secret shoppers who focused on distinct product categories in order to begin judging. One of the visits only centered on footwear and examined how well staff knew the products on sale, while the second visit observed how non-footwear items were presented to customers.
“Run specialty stores are so much more than places to buy shoes—they’re gathering spaces where people build confidence, find community, and discover a lifelong connection to movement,” Genae Salinas, event director of The Running Event said. “The TRE team is so proud to recognize the retailers who move our industry forward through exceptional service, strong teams and the relationships they build with individuals every day.”
Winning retailers will be recognized TRE’s annual awards ceremony on December 3 in San Antonio and the store of the year will be announced.
“While run specialty retail has expanded beyond technical footwear to include lifestyle apparel, recovery gear, accessories, and much more, this year’s evaluation revealed a clear theme: today’s strongest retailers succeed by prioritizing genuine human connection,” a statement from TRE on the announcement of the winners said. “The 2026 honorees distinguish themselves by focusing on face-to-face interactions, employee support and growth opportunities, and creating welcoming, inclusive environments where community members can connect, learn, and feel supported, no matter where they’re at in their movement journey.”
Best Running Stores of 2026
1st Place Sports
605 Running Company
A Runner’s Mind
A Snail’s Pace Running Shop
Aardvark Sports Shop
Appalachian Running Company
Big Peach Running Co.
Bull City Running Co.
Charlotte Running Company
Charm City Run
Columbus Running Company
Confluence Running
CT Run Co.
Dash Sports
Fitness Sports
Fleet Feet Athens
Fleet Feet Birmingham
Fleet Feet Charleston
Fleet Feet Cincinnati
Fleet Feet Dallas – Fort Worth
Fleet Feet Davenport
Fleet Feet Hartford
Fleet Feet Montclair
Fleet Feet Nashville
Fleet Feet Traverse City
Fleet Feet Tuscaloosa
Fleet Feet Winston-Salem & Clemmons
footTech
Gazelle Sports
Get Fit
Good Times Running Co.
Grounded Running
iRun Texas
John’s Run/Walk Shop
Manhattan Running Company
Marathon Sports
Mill City Running
Missouri Running Company
Mountain Running Company
Naperville Running Company
Pace Yourself Run Company
Pacers Running
Palmetto Running Company
Performance Running Outfitters
Playmakers
Point 2 Running Company
=PR= Run & Walk
Pro Bike + Run
Queen City Running Company
Red Coyote Running and Fitness
Run Flagstaff
Runner’s Corner
Running Lab
Running Niche
Running Zone
Rush Running Company
Salt Lake Running Company
Scranton Running Company
Sole Sports Running Zone
Terra Running Company
The Running Well Store
Tortoise & Hare Sports
Track Shack
Trailhead Running Supply
West Stride
