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|  Michigan is Running Store Paradise Scott Sullivan May/June 2006 Michigan Runner
El Dorado? So what? The local running store? Now you're talking! There is nothing nearer paradise for runners than specialty running
stores. Here -- not in big-box sporting-goods stores, or from mail-order
catalogs -- you can try on shoes and gear, ask questions and receive
knowledgeable advice, learn about clubs, races and activities, and sign
up for them. On and on ... "Michigan may have more running stores than any state in the nation,"
says Judy Santoni, state sales representative for InSport Athletic
Apparel for 18 years. "I can't say for sure we have more than a huge state like California," she
goes on. "But I do know Michigan is a hotbed. Compared to other parts
of the country, we have a very high concentration of running stores." Which made my assignment -- an in-depth feature on Michigan's
estimated 34 running stores -- daunting. Every one of them?! My task was made easier by the fact several stores have multiple
operations: there are six Running Fits, four Hansons Running Shops,
three Gazelle Sports, three Runnin' Gears, two Total Runners, two
Tortoise and Hares, and a partridge in a pear tree. OK, I just made that
last one up. Some shops I was able to reach by e-mail. Others not. It was clear the
best thing would be to visit all 30 plus, but the cost of doing so -- not just
for gas, but for all the cool things in each store I could not resist buying --
might have made the national debt look paltry. I asked representatives: * When was your store founded? How many stores do you operate,
and where are they? * What is the owners' running background? * What events do your stores support? * Recent trends you've noticed? * Anything else fun or noteworthy? Below are responses received by our deadline for this issue, plus
names and locations of other specialty running stores we have on our
MR lists. We welcome shop owners who, for whatever reason, we
missed, for inclusion of their store stories in our next issue.
Randy Step, then a funeral director, bought out the inventory of a dying
Ann Arbor running store in 1984 -- and so Running Fit was born.
Step had fallen in love with running while a student at Michigan State
University. His marriage to Kathy, a top-notch triathlete, had pushed him
further. "We both took a year off from work to be full-time athletes," Step
says. "After that, we could not go back." The running boom that had started in the late '70s fell apart in the mid-
1980s. "Footwear sales dropped 50 to 60 percent between 1985 and
'86," Step says. "I came into the business when it was bottoming out." Step sold corporate fitness centers out of one portion of the Ann Arbor
store, while employees sold shoes and gear from the other side. "I kept
ducking out of the funeral home to sell treadmills," he says. "Then I gave
up the funeral business." He merged his Fitness Source corporate-sales operation with American
Exercise, a similar firm; added a Novi Running Fit store in 1986, and
began "feeling overwhelmed with all of it." Around that time, he met
Steve Angerman. "Steve was managing a Sneakers and Cleats store in Ann Arbor. He'd
been a great high school and college runner, and impressed me with
his knowledge of store retail operations," Step says. The two became partners, "and Steve is the store today," Step goes on.
"I'm big on events, races, sales, marketing and training. Steve does the
hiring and buying, and runs the shops. His product knowledge is
amazing. Steve understands footwear like no one else in the world." Running Fit added two more southeast Michigan stores, in West
Bloomfield and Northville. In 1999 RF ventured northwest to open a
store in Traverse City. It added a second TC shop four years later. "We
had a couple great guys, Jeff Gaft and Daniel Siederman, to run the
stores there," Step says. Running Fit sponsors five-week "Running 101" classes for beginners,
spring and fall marathon-training sessions, other training groups and a
slew of races, some legendary. Both the Running Fit Trail Marathon and Half Marathon (in spring) and
the Dances With Dirt Team Marathon and Ultra feature challenging
wooded sites near Hell. The Martian Marathon (held April Fool's Day
this year) and Meteor 10K have their own loopy sense of humor. Running Fit helped put on the Great Lakes Relay for its first two years,
in the early '90s. "I'd just won Michigan Runner magazine's annual
Runner of the Year award," Step remembers. "Then I suffered
congestive heart failure, caused by birth defects in my valves. "I handed over the relay. It changed lots of things," he says. Today Step is big into the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in
Training, snowshoe racing (Traverse City may be in line to host next
year}s nationals), half2run.com (encouraging runners to complete half-
marathons in half the states, "the others not being worth visiting"), you
name it. He and Kathy still run, as do their son (for Florida Southern University)
and daughter (for Aquinas College next fall). "The heart failure slowed
me down, but I still love it," he concedes. Step notes industry trends toward women's and charity running. "That's
where the growth is," he says. "Our challenge is drawing in younger
runners. Young people have more options -- triathlons, mountain biking,
other sports -- than they used to. That's not necessarily bad, just
different." Running Fit adapts. "We have around 55 employees, and we love
running," Step says. "There are so many ways to enjoy the sport. We
keep looking for new, fun things."
Brothers Kevin and Keith Hanson founded their business, now famous
for its Hansons-Brooks Distance Project, in November 1991. Kevin, who ran for Sterling Heights Stevenson High School and
Oakland University, was Oakland's cross country co-captain in 1982,
has coached Stevenson teams since that same year, and joined brother
Keith as coach/founder of the Distance Project in 1999. His personal
records are 14:46 for 5K, 30:21 for 10K, and 50:51 for 10 miles. Keith ran his first marathon at age 13 in 3:20:01; at 14 he ran a 2:59:29.
He competed for Stevenson, then for Michigan State University, where
he was cross country captain in 1986 and 1987. He coached at Harper
Woods Notre Dame from 1995-99 before joining Kevin founding the
Distance Project. Keith's PRs include 8:23 for 3K, 14:36 for 5K, 30:36 for
10K, and 51:08 for 10 miles. Hansons Running Shops sponsor myriad events, including the
Roseville Big Bird Run, Belle Isle New Year's Eve Run, Lake Orion New
Year's Day Run, Dodge Park 3-Mile Run and Royal Oak Apple Run.
Hansons puts on cross country camps and meets for children through
teens, a High-Performance Track Meet each June at Hillsdale College,
marathon-training classes and runs, all-comers events and more. "Running and walking continue to grow at an outstanding rate," says
Kevin. "There is a great need for quality and accurate information for
beginners in the sport. Running specialty shops can assist and
encourage people of all ages and fitness levels to get and stay active.
Good shops provide training advice, injury-prevention advice, and even
rehabilitation assistance if an injury does occur." Team Hansons member Clint Verran, a 2:14 marathoner and certified
physical therapist, operates a training room at the Utica shop.
Runnin' Gear opened in Waterford in 1978, launched its Rochester Hills
store in 1991, and began in Brighton in 2002. Owner Paul Coughlin, who years ago got as far as the NCAA nationals
in hurdles, reports he now mostly runs for fitness. He coached track and
field at Waterford Kettering High School for six years. Brighton store manager "Mac" MacArthur is a veteran of 15 marathons,
untold road races and triathlons, and three half Ironmans. Rochester
Hills store manager Pete Brady, 30, who also runs for fitness, started
working for Runnin' Gear at age 14 sweeping floors, and has since
moved up. "Our staff includes high school coaches, Oakland University's track and
cross country coach, O.U. athletes, the race director of the Detroit Free
Press 5K and Half Marathon, one of the BARRS running club directors,
and the youngest finisher of the Free Press Marathon," Coughlin says. "Along the way we've had U.S. record holders (Gerard Donakowski)
and kids who have gone on to become podiatrists. What all of us have in
common, other than running, is a passion for matching shoe technology
to a runner's biology," Coughlin says. "We concentrate on one thing
most: making sure our runners hit the roads with the right shoes on their
feet." "As a consumer, expect your shoe guy to be more than just a runner,"
he continues. "If he would rather talk more about his running than yours,
beware. And shame on the store that employs him. "For more than 25 years, supporting running has been one of the most
rewarding things we do. Currently we help sponsor the Kensington
Challenge, the Julie Run, Over the River and Through the Woods, and
the Witch's Hat Run. Over the years we've backed scores of others, from
the West Bloomfield Half Marathon to the old Emily and Pooh runs. We
also provide race support for the Free Press Marathon and Turkey Trot,
as well as local races up the wazoo. "Mac runs the best and cheapest (It's free!) marathon-training programs
around, and. in conjuction with Oakland University sports programs, we
hope to offer a quality a program at Rochester Hills. Over the years
we've hosted speakers such as Bob Kennedy and, most recently, coach
Bill Squires. We are proud to be featured speakers ourselves at one of
the most-elite high school cross county camps in the state, Kermit
Ambrose's Wolverine Camp. "What's new in the sport? Maybe not so new, but a continuing trend is
the wave of female athletes. We have for years now (and more each
year) sold more women's shoes than men's. In our time we've seen
three distinct running booms, and the last two were female phenomena.
We like it; our stores absolutely smell better for it. "Shoe trends continue toward controlled cushioning, recognizing that
unbridled cush is often a plantar fascia waiting to give way. A disturbing
trend is in the new high-end $160 to $165 shoes. Nice product, but does
it warrant the money? I feel the shoe companies are feeling us out,
wondering just how much we will spend. "They do feel and perform great and the technology is exciting, but the
best thing about them may be that, as we've seen before, the tech will
eventually find its way down the line, improving shoes at every price
point," Coughlin says.
Gazelle Sports was founded Dec. 7, 1985, by two people with a shared
passion for running, customer care and community involvement. Today's four owners bring a wealth of running experience, starting with
high school and collegiate careers. They have completed countless
running, cycling and multi-sport events of all distances, including more
than 20 marathons combined, and continue to coach training groups of
all distances and levels. In addition to its three West Michigan stores, Gazelle also operates the
New Balance Grand Rapids shop, and Team Gazelle, which serves
high school and college teams. Gazelle sponsors and supports more than 100 events annually
throughout Michigan. These include small-town 5Ks, national series
road races drawing thousands of participants, and urban-wilderness
multi-sport events. Their common elements are partnerships with
community organizations and proceed donations to local charities. Gazelle was named 2005 Retailer of the Year in the Medium Retailer
category by the Michigan Retailers Association. Award winners are
recognized for making community involvement an integral part of their
operations. Owners feel the honor is a symbol of the hard work by staff
and support from communities and customers. They observe recent trends toward more cause-related and women
runners, and an increased emphasis on group training.
Charlie Blanchard, Clark Whitney and Tom Pitzer opened Total Runner
at its current Southfield location in February 1979. Blanchard bought out
the others during his first year. Current owner David Howell started working for TR in January 1980,
later became manager, and bought the business from Blanchard March
20, 1986. Total Runner opened its Southgate store in January 1996. Over the years, TR had stores in Grosse Pointe Woods (which later
became Running World, and is now a Hansons Running Shop) and Ann
Arbor (which became the first Running Fit store). Howell says, "I did not plan to be a runner. I ran cross country for two
years in high school because my basketball coach required us to if we
did not play football (a move necessary to get enough bodies out for the
new cross country team.) "I took up running on my own in 1977," Howell goes on. "Inspired by Jim
Fixx's book, 'The Complete Book of Running,' I decided to make a
serious attempt to be a runner. I liked it very much -- once it was an
elective, not a requirement -- and have logged more than 52,000 miles
since then. "My most significant PR's are: marathon, 2:48:46 (Cleveland, 1982);
50K, 3:34:10 (Midwest 50K, 1982); 10 miles, 57:48 (Crim, 1982); and
10K, 35:29 (Lapeer, 1983). Now, I run mostly for enjoyment and fitness,
and do just a few favorite races (like Crim, 26 times). I am a member of
the Island Road Runners, Downriver Runners and Motor City Striders." Howell, also an avid kayaker, chairs the Friends of the Detroit River and
is working on a committee to establish the first water trail in southeast
Michigan. He is also chair of the Friends of the Polly Ann Trail in Lapeer
County. Total Runner sponsors the Riverview Winterfest (February), St.
Patrick's Day Corktown Races (March), Grosse Ile Memorial Day 8K
(May), Trenton's Zanglin Downriver Run (directed by Howell's wife, Eve,
each June), Rollie Hopgood's Mid-Town Taylor 5K (July), Allen Park
Street Fair Run (August), Birmingham Lions Run for the Blind
(September), Huron Township Applefest (October), and the Wayne
County Lightfest (November). The stores also help sponsor the July Great Lakes Relay, organized by
part-time staffer Bob Baril and Nick Papas; and pitches in at the Free
Press Marathon and Turkey Trot in Detroit. Trends? "My impression (totally unscientific) is that a similar number of
people are running now as there were 20 years ago," says Howell.
"Most are running far fewer miles, but mixing in biking, swimming,
weight-lifting, spinning, yoga and other activities. Obviously, the charity
connections have brought many people into marathons, and have
changed the nature of those events somewhat. "In terms of running product, the quality of shoes has improved
tremendously, helping runners to run more comfortably and avoid
injury," Howell continues. "A new development in the past few years has
been the introduction of GPS running products, particularly by Garmin,
which have added a new dimension to training." Total Runner's knowledgeable staff includes Southfield store manager
Paul Aufdemberge, three-time Michigan Runner Runner of the year and
this year's MR Masters Runner of the Year. Current MR Runner of the
Year Nick Stanko worked for the Southgate store when he was in high
school.
The business's original store, founded in 1979, has been owned and
operated since 1985 by Karen Holappa and her son, Matt Holappa. Karen, a top masters runner in the 1980s with a marathon best of 3:04,
is still running at age 70. She planned to run this year's Flora London
Marathon. Matt ran track and cross country for Ann Arbor Greenhills High School
and the University of Tennessee. He still runs with teammates on the
Tortoise and Hare Racing Team. The stores sponsor the annual Tortoise and Hare 5K July 4, a high- and
middle-school Cross Country Classic (Sept. 9 this year) and the Ann
Arbor Turkey Trot (Nov. 12). They provide sponsorship and support to
many other local races. T&H provides free 10- and 20-mile training runs February through
October, including aid stations and refreshments. The stores offer group
runs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 9 a.m. They also put on spring and summer running classes, provide gait-
analysis and personal-training programs. The Holappas note current trends toward lighter shoes, using softer,
lighter components that still offer support (for example, the Fila Flow
Plate); and a "less-is-more" concept (eg. Nike Frees used as training
tools).
Playmakers owners Curt and Judy Munson are veteran runners who
have completed numerous marathons and other running-related events.
Today Curt still enjoys running with the Team Playmakers training
group. He ran last fall's Detroit Free Press Half Marathon in just over
1:35 at age 54. Judy spends more time walking these days than running. The store sponsors everything from 5K walks to Girls on the Run, the
Feelin' Good Mileage Club, Lansing Race For the Cure, the Playmakers
Greater Lansing Race Series, high school track and cross-country
meets, and more. Playmakers staff observes trends toward women looking to do events
for the first time, at distances from the half-marathon on up. They see
more products using wool as a base layer, as it stays warm when wet,
doesn't hold body odor and handles a wide range of temperatures. "Our store has really helped to build a sense of community among
runners, walkers and others in the Lansing area," says staff member
Brian Jones. "Business is no longer as much about sales as it is about
helping people reach goals and staying healthy while enjoying fitness
running. "We have a great group of dedicated employees and incredible
customers that make our store a vibrant and fun spot to visit, shop, work
or just connect with others in our community," Jones says
Michigan's oldest specialty running store has big news. Owner Mark
Bauman, who started in 1974 selling shoes from the trunk of his car and
living room, plans to move his "fixed" store, a Flint institution for 30
years. Customers should have no trouble finding the new location. "We're
moving next door, into space twice our current size," Bauman says. Bauman's love for the sport predates the mid-1970s running boom. He
ran for Flint Junior College (now Mott Community College) and Murray
State University in Kentucky -- "long, slow distances," he remembers. He has finished 147 marathons and ultras, including the last 37 Boston
Marathons. Bauman also likes shorter runs: he has completed 30
Frankenmuth Volklaufes (which began as a 15-miler and now offers
sundry distances); all 29 Crim 10-milers in his hometown; and all but
three of Grand Rapids' 28 River Bank 25Ks. "My marathon times are an hour and 15 minutes slower than they used
to be," says Bauman, acknowledging growing older. "I can't even run
one mile, now, at the per-mile pace I averaged. "But I still have a ball out there," he says. Flint -- as witness the Crim and Riverbend Striders running club, both of
which Bauman is very active in -- has long been a running hotbed. But
the city and nearby suburbs haven't gained population like other areas.
Bauman has adjusted. In addition to volunteering for the Crim (which,
with training groups, is a year-long effort) and the Striders' 20 to 30
races annually, he has branched into other ventures. The store offers marathon-training groups, sells gear at expos, screen-
prints t-shirts and handles race awards. Bauman's Boston experience,
which has included hours-long pre-start waits in Hopkinton, inspired him
to offer shuttles -- three buses these days, most of them serving
Michigan entrants -- from the race finish to the start, then back again. Bauman recently added "Walking" to the name of his shop, to reflect
growing interest in that activity. He, like other store owners, notes the
increase in women's running, general-fitness and charity walk/run
activities. "We keep up with product innovations, but I'm skeptical recommending
them until I've heard runner feedback. My reputation's at stake," says
Bauman. "I want them in gear they are happy with."
Striders was founded in 1998 by Steve and Deb Webster, who started
their running careers on the same day in February 1982. Since then
they've completed more than 160 ultras and marathons between them,
plus hundreds of shorter races. Both their children now run for college
and high school teams. "We opened Striders to help others discover the rewards of running,"
Steve Webster says. Striders sponsors and organizes the Striders Saturday (10-mile) Classic
each April, and the North Country Trail Run (offering marathon and 50-
mile distances) each September. The store is involved in many other
local races. "Striders is definitely focused on running and walking, with probably the
state's largest selection of running shoes and apparel," Webster says. "We have also dedicated a portion of our store to triathlon gear. You'll
find a great selection of wetsuits and apparel for this rapidly-growing
sport." Striders' staff is comprised of runners and triathletes. It's required if
you're going to work there. "As a specialty store, we're going to darn well make sure we know our
product and can give solid advice," says Webster. "It makes it a fun
place to work when we can all talk about our racing and our injuries. "Our business continues to grow as word spreads that Striders is the
place to go for a good fit and good advice."
Partners Alan Martens and Greg Gould opened Running Circles in the
former Story and Clark piano factory, downtown Grand Haven, in May
2004. The business was founded that January. Martens started running early, completing the former Grand Valley
Marathon at age 15 in 1974. He competed from 1973-76 for Livonia
Churchill High School, and ran year of cross country at Kalamazoo
College. Gould ran for Muskegon Orchard View High School from 1984-88, and
cross country for Grand Valley State University for one year. All store
staff have run marathons, road and trail events. Running Circles sponsors, organizes and otherwise supports local
races including its annual New Years Run, Walk & Ramble, Frostbite
Marathon Relay, Ice Festival 5K, Tulip City 5K, Muskegon Chronicle
Seaway Run, Patriots Day Run, Lakeshore Miracle Run, Zeeland
Pumpkin Fest and the Grand Rapids Marathon. Gould is part of the
committee to organize the Muskegon Running Club point series. The store offers training groups for spring events, including the River
Bank Run in Grand Rapids and Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City.
Starting in June, it offers training groups for the fall marathon and half-
marathon season. Martens notes a trend toward "feet, and thus the shoes we sell, getting
bigger." Running Circles is located near the Grand River channel to Lake
Michigan and longest boardwalk in the state. The boardwalk and
breakwater, out and back, are about a 3.5-mile run.
Former North Carolina A&T runner Curtis Thompson was leading the
1983 Mothers and Others road race in Flint "when I got distracted by this
pretty lady on the sideline," he remembers. It was Jessie Griffith. "She cost me the race," he grins. The two talked afterward and found out they both loved running. "Jessie
grew up in Sarnia, Ont. before they had girls running teams," says
Thompson. "Her brother, John, was a great half-miler, and Jessie was
talented too. "I was a GM plant supervisor and she was working for a retail clothing
store. We decided to open a running store," Thompson says. They began Complete Runner in 1984 at its current site, and have
since expanded to 3,000 square feet and 10 employees. "We started
with Jessie handling retail while I did the technical stuff. We've learned
from each other over 22 years," he says. Complete Runner puts on an estimated 10 to 12 races yearly, and is
active in Flint's Crim races and training programs. "We're part of the health industry, as opposed to the sickness industry,"
says Thompson. "We want to get as many people running and healthy
as is possible." In addition to running gear, Complete Runner carries quality treadmills,
aerobic bikes, multi-gyms, free weights, elliptical and stair machines,
and educates customers how to use them. "All our staff run, but as some of us get older or suffer injuries, we enjoy
having fitness alternatives," Thompson says. He notes trends in shoes helping people run longer with fewer injuries,
and in lighter, moisture-wicking winter wear. "We can run year-round
and feel better afterward," he says. Walk into Complete Runner and you'll be greeted by Milo, a six-year-
old Bichon Frise. "He's a very friendly dog," Thompson says. "We enjoy the business. We are still having fun," he says.
Greenville (pop. 8,400) isn't the biggest metro area for a running store.
But the Taylor family, who opened The Runnery in 1979, have made
their shop go ... and grow. Larry Taylor, 1956 Class B half-mile champion for Fenton High School,
ran four years at Western Michigan University, then began his career as
a coach and teacher. His road led to Greenville, 35 miles northeast of
Grand Rapids, where he guided track and cross country teams for a
generation before retiring in 1996. "We opened the store because there's not a lot else here for runners,
unless you want to go to Grand Rapids," Taylor says. "We're the hub for
a lot of school sports teams -- Greenville, Lakeview, Belding, Carson
City-Crystal, Morley-Stanwood, Ionia, Cedar Springs, Rockford ... "We can't survive on just running here. We also sell gear for basketball,
baseball, softball, soccer ... you name it. "My wife, Sue, was a mainstay at the store for the years I was teaching.
She's very knowledgeable," Taylor says. "We've moved twice into bigger buildings since we opened. We have to
be doing something right," he says. Oldest son Scott, 40, ran for Grand Valley State University after a stellar
career at Greenville, and now serves as manager for The Runnery. He
leads the store's summer Tuesday track workouts, which draw some 30
to 40 runners of all ages and abilities. The store offers Saturday-morning distance training during cooler
months of the year, and enjoys involvement in local races including
Sparta's Flavorbest Apple Run each July. "Running gear is a lot more sophisticated than when we started," says
Larry Taylor. "There are shoes for all types of gaits, and apparel for
every season. Some of the high-tech fabrics seem pricey, until people
try them. Then they love them. "We want to match people with value and gear they like," Taylor says. "We've developed a reputation for being honest and friendly, and
offering personal service. Our goal is to serve people's needs," he says.
Eric Clarke, who'd run track and cross country at Adrian High School,
opted not to compete in college. "I felt burnt out, I guess," he remembers. He came home one day after college to find a running magazine left on
a table by his fiance/now-wife Kerri. "She was starting running. I got
enthused again," Clarke says. They opened Running With E's in December 2000. Kerri now teaches
beginners' courses, setting goals for completing a springtime 5K. Eric,
who helped coach track and cross country at his old high school before
the store job grew full-time-plus, is active with the Lenawee County
Running Club. "We run Saturday mornings from the store," he says. "During the
season, we do speed work one day a week and have trail-running
sessions. The club is informal; we don't have dues. But it's lots of fun." Running With E's sponsors the 5K Nine Run each April for the local
Humane Society, and the Souper Run 10K/5K each fall for the Daily
Bread Soup Kitchen. The store's Hammer Time 5K for Habitat for
Humanity, which took a hiatus this year, will resume next spring. "I've done marathons and ultras, which I like more than shorter races. I
enjoy being out there with people. I love to run," Clarke says.
Other Michigan specialty running stores MR knows of include:
Pacesetter Sport & Shoe, 7013 Eastman Ave., Midland; Runners
Performance Footwear and Apparel, 4104 E. Wilder Rd., Bay City; and
Step One, 2621 Wildwood, Jackson. For a (fairly) complete list of state stores and contacts, visit
www.runningnetwork.com/ stores/ MR
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