Running Lab took home top retail honors at The Running Event when it was named 2025 Store of the Year in an award that recognized the specialty retailer making contributions to runners, staff and its local community.
The Brighton, Michigan store and owners Toni Reese and Ken Larscheid were highlighted at TRE’s closing presentation on Thursday in San Antonio as the trade show wrapped and Running Lab emerged on top as “Best Running Stores of 2025” pick from a shortlist of five finalists.
“Last night I was at a TRE talk, and one mantra really stuck with me: ‘Dare to Try.’ There’s no risk in trying, only the possibility of a positive outcome. Running Lab itself is a testament to what happens when we dare to try; great things can happen!” Reese said. “We learn from our failures, we ride our successes, and it’s all incredible. I am so happy and grateful for this award, and every person in this room is valuable to Running Lab.”
The store opened in 2011 in Brighton after Larscheid was in sales at New Balance and carved out an idea for a hub of retail, community and atmosphere that continues to pull in runners who are seen as more than customers.
Reese joined in 2015 as Running Lab’s store manager after meeting Larscheid and the share distinct roles that are a blend of day-to-day business and community. In 2022, Reese became a co-owner and Larscheid credits her with creating a culture that has contributed to Running Lab’s popularity outside of Michigan. It was that same culture-building that earned the shop a finalist for TRE’s best store prize in 2023.
Every Tuesday, group runs are staged from the store and any runner can participate in Running Lab’s free race training programs.
At the award presentation in San Antonio, the entire Running Lab staff was on hand for the ceremony, in a process that trimmed hundreds of nominees down to just 100. That group was then visited twice during the year by mystery shoppers who posed as regular customers and analyzed store culture, customer service to see how the average runner was being treated.
Meanwhile, the ceremony also honored 65 retail shops in TRE’s Best Running Stores program, with Fleet Feet Charleston, Good Times Running Co., Point 2 Running Company, Sole Sports Run and Walk — and Running Lab — being singled out as the top five standout locations during the year.
Best Running Stores of 2025
=PR= Run & Walk
605 Running Company
A Runner’s Mind
A Snail’s Pace Running Shop
Aardvark Sports Shop
Big Peach Running Co.
Bull City Running Co.
Charlotte Running Company
Charm City Run
Confluence Running
CT Run Co.
Dash Sports
Fitness Sports
Fleet Feet Charleston, Mount Pleasant
Fleet Feet Davenport
Fleet Feet Fayetteville
Fleet Feet Fort Wayne
Fleet Feet Gaithersburg
Fleet Feet Hartford
Fleet Feet Lexington
Fleet Feet Lousiville
Fleet Feet Montclair
Fleet Feet Nashville
Fleet Feet Traverse City
Fleet Feet Tuscaloosa
Fleet Feet West Reading
Fleet Feet Winston–Salem and Clemmons
Gazelle Sports
Get Fit
Good Times Running Co.
Grounded Running
Independence Run & Hike
iRun Texas
John’s Run/Walk Shop
Mill City Running
Mountain Running Company
Naperville Running Company
Pacers Running
Palmetto Running Company
Performance Running Outfitters
Playmakers
Point 2 Running Company
RC Outfitters
Red Coyote Running & Fitness
Run Flagstaff
Run Hub Northwest
Run In
Runner’s Edge NY
Running Niche
Running Lab
Running Wild
Running Zone
RunWell
Rush Running Company
Sole Sports Running Zone
Terra Running Company
Runner’s Edge MT
The Running Elements
The Running Well Store
Tortoise & Hare Sports
Trailhead Running Supply
Up & Running in Dayton
Waco Running Company
West Stride
Whirlaway Sports Center
