Running etc.

Day 2 of our 40th Anniversary Sale takes us back to where it all began.

In 1986, Mike Robinson had a dream: to open a running store. Along the way, he was told by a college professor that most small businesses don't succeed.

Thankfully, Mike chose not to let someone else's doubts define his future.
In June of 1986, he opened the doors to a small shop on Colley Avenue in Norfolk. Money was tight, so instead of purchasing a sign, he made one himself by hand.

Mike is forever grateful to the companies that took a chance on a first-time store owner and helped him get started. In those early days, he worked every hour himself, keeping the doors open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week, doing whatever needed to be done.

As the business grew, so did the team. Over the years, Mike has carefully built a staff of incredible people whose passion, knowledge, and dedication have helped shape Running Etc into what it is today.

Thank you, Mike, for never giving up, for always leaving the light on and for giving Running Etc to our community.

Today and tomorrow join us for a storewide sale as we celebrate 40 incredible years. Make a purchase of $40 or more and you'll be entered into our anniversary raffle, featuring some amazing prizes!

🎁 Raffle prizes include:
• A dozen shoes including Altra, Asics, Brooks, Hoka, New Balance, Nike, and Saucony
• OOFOS sandals
• HOKA backpacks
• OluKai sandals
• An LMNT box of goodies
• Socks, accessories, and much more!

We’re turning 40, and what better way to celebrate than with limited edition commemorative t-shirts! Pick your favorite from two fun designs in bright summer colors and help us celebrate this milestone!🎉🎉

A photo of 8 members of the Running Etc team.

But there’s so much this photo doesn’t show.

What you can’t see are the 156 combined years they’ve spent serving this community through Running Etc. That’s 156 years of fitting shoes, sharing advice, learning from experience, and helping runners and walkers take their next step.

You can’t see the thousands of conversations they’ve had, the friendships they’ve built, or the countless customers whose journeys they’ve been honored to be a small part of.

You also can’t see the 265 combined years they’ve spent running themselves. That’s a lot of early mornings, long runs, finish lines, lessons learned, training methods tested, miles logged, and yes... energy gels tasted.

As we approach our 40th Anniversary, we find ourselves reflecting on what has made these four decades possible. It’s not just the shoes on the wall or the miles on the roads, it’s the people. The people in this photo and the people who walk through our doors every day.

To our team, past and present, and to every customer who has trusted us to be part of their journey: thank you. We love sharing our passion, our knowledge, and our love of running with all of you.
Here’s to 40 years of miles together.

At Running Etc., we love animals. Each Monday we highlight a dog or cat from a local rescue shelter. We hope to increase the networking for animals in need of a forever home. You might even find a wonderful running buddy, or more importantly, a terrific family member.

12 week old Vortex is one of the kittens our team member caught a few weeks ago. She is the fearless big sister of the crew. This gorgeous dark gray girl takes her job of supervising kitten chaos very seriously and can usually be found leading the adventures before passing out for an adorable nap. Playful, confident, and full of big-sister energy, Vortex is ready to rule your house (lovingly, of course). As part of our buddy system, she must go home with a feline friend or to a home with a friendly cat to help continue her studies in cathood.

Xylo is a fun-loving brown tabby boy with endless energy and a personality just as big as his zoomies! This playful kitten is always on the move — chasing toys, exploring every corner, and turning anything into a game. He’s curious, adventurous, and guaranteed to keep you smiling with his silly antics. After he’s all worn out from playtime, Xylo is happy to settle down nearby and recharge for his next adventure. With his handsome tabby stripes and energetic spirit, Xylo brings nonstop fun wherever he goes.

Vortex and Xylo are available from https://lilroarcatrescue.com

German Shepard lovers, meet Kol! Three years old and looking for his forever home. Kol is available through
https://vbacac.com/

Please visit this link to fill out the form to enter the raffle! A screenshot of your Strava segment page will be required.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSetgxMoArBgY5vTc3z8rBq0iU0aLHs_u8emeOw4bkh43qPITA/viewform

The raffle will be drawn on Monday after our anniversary sale! Please submit your entry no later than Sunday!
The segment challenge ends on Saturday at noon!

Swing by the shop to check out all of the limited edition goodrs we have in stock!
This year's Pride shades are sure to sell out! Slip on these floral shades with pink lenses and celebrate loudly, proudly, and comfortably!
We still have limited stock left of the Sea Glass Collection, Recycled Shades, and Tea Time! Scoop up a pair before they are gone!

⏳ Don’t Wait! Price Increase Alert!

Registration prices go up at 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 31st! ⏰

Register now and join us for an amazing day supporting CHKD’s Child Advocacy Center 💙

🔗 runwalkforthekids.org