The Runner’s Edge

We recently moved to Andersonville. I love my neighborhood and every store I frequent has the best owners/​employees. Everyone is friendly, kind, and helpful. I was shocked when we visited Runner’s Edge. Like others have stated, poor/​lazy customer service. We walked in to check out their merchandise and we were flat out ignored. There was one other customer in the store, so I can’t blame it on them being swamped with customers. Ever have a feeling of being judged? Perhaps they thought we didn’t fit their demographic. My husband and I are avid runners. We’ve been runners for 3 years, which have included running numerous half marathons. My husband is now training for his first full marathon. Perhaps they should remind their employees that not every runner comes in a petite/​skinny/​nonfat body. I’ll take my curvy running body some place else for my next pair of running shoes.

As I was walking by in a rush to beat the expiration time of my parking ticket a few weeks ago, a cute pair of running shorts on the mannequin in the window caught my eye.
I was in and out with them in a flash.
I loves the shorts so much that I went back a few days later to get my hands on the shorts in other colors. Unfortunately, they no longer had my size of the other colors in stock but the sales associate was kind enough to call the other branch and have all of the colors in my size transferred so I could pick them up a few days later.
Flash forward to today, I walked in to pick up the shorts that they placed on hold for me. I was helped by an associate named Steve and the first associate who helped me named Mike. They were both wonderful and Steve was so knowledgeable. He gave me all kinds of information on detergents and how to care for my apparel to make it last longer.
Thanks runner’s edge!

This place was recommended to me by a friend for a great shoe fitting experience, however the only «fitting» I had was «What size shoe do you wear?» Huh, I can do that much myself at DSW and still get the same brand of shoes for less. When I mentioned that I was told there would be fitting, the lady said that since I am «not training for a marathon» that she could just tell by looking at my foot. Funny, she didn’t even touch my feet not once and didn’t even really look at them either. I can pick out shoes on my own, but thanks.
I really wanted to shop local, but with such lazy customer service I will be returning what I did buy and going for an actual fitting somewhere else.

Great staff. Very knowledgeable in what they do. Definitely recommend this store for anyone looking to purchase running gear!

Customer Service: 5 stars! I have been there at least four times, and I have always been welcomed/​greeted by very friendly and helpful staff members.
Selection: Not bad for a smaller store! I was impressed actually. Additionally, when they didn’t have what I wanted/​needed, they called their other store and had it sent to my local store for pick up. They called me when it came in. I appreciated them doing that. I can’t remember the guys name who did this for me, but thanks, Mr helpful man, and sorry I didn’t remember your name.
Parking: Hit and miss street (meter) parking, but if you go just a few feet north of the store on Clark, there is a 15 minute loading zone by Andie’s. You can throw on your flashers and run in. *(Well, if you are quick you can.)
I have heard that they don’t watch you run or look at your pronation. I think that is the only downfall. If you are getting the correct pair of running shoes, you need to know they are the right type for YOU. *(Granted, I have not purchased running shoes here. I always buy mine from Feet Fleet or whatever it is called. They do check to see what type of pronation you have there, as every running store should!)
I will be back for sure! Thanks for the great customer service; that goes a long way in my book.

Came here looking to buy my first heart rate monitor watch. The woman behind the counter could not have been more helpful. She talked to me for almost an hour about what to get, how to use it, how not to use it, differences in brands, training zones — everything.
Ended up getting a pretty basic model, which she recommended. It was nice not listening to an upsell. While walking out, I noticed she kept the store about a half hour later after they’d closed (I had no idea!).
Great place. Makes you want to support them (and not scour the internet for cheaper deals).

Go here if you’re looking for new running shoes/gear…period.
I went to a few different places, but these guys really took the time. I actually returned the original pair I bought– no problem. I felt their primary concern was getting me in the right shoe.
They are all great… but ask for Ari.

Went to Unilocal to find the address for Runner’s Edge and was surprised to see so many negative reviews. I had gotten a pair of shoes here about 18 months ago and had a great experience. I was wondering if something changed since then.
I am pleased to report that, despite some reviews here, I had a very good experience. I brought in my old shoes and they worked to get me into something right for me. They asked questions, provided insight, and were overall very helpful.
Great shoes! Good prices and helpful staff. That what I was looking for and what I got.

After working out at Cheetah Gym my IT band flared up like a bad case of herpes. I wanted, nay, needed relief and I assumed a running store employee could give me information on how to lesson the pain or direct me to a product that could help.
I painfully limped across the street to the store. I noticed it closed at 6:00pm and it was 5:55pm. I was going to make this quick.
I walk into a well lit store full of anything a runner could possibly want. I didn’t spend much time looking around and observing their products in all honesty. What I did absorb when I glanced around was this was a store that sold quality running gear. I did peek at the shoe selection which was a good size for a smallish store. A smiling employee greeted me and asked if I needed help. I asked her to direct me to the knee braces thinking that could give me some respite. She gladly showed me what they had. I looked through what they offered and asked if I could try one on. It would be no problem I was told.
I struggled as I attempted to pull the brace over my calf. The woman told me they can be difficult to put on. I explain to her about my IT band issue and that I would be using this brace for that reason. She expressed her sympathy knowing how inconvenient and painful IT band issues can be then informed me the brace would do nothing. She instructed, what I had been previously told by doctors and anyone I lamented my issue to, that stretching and icing would be the best remedy. Shoot.
I place the brace back in its packaging. I thank the woman and leave.
While I didn’t find what I was looking for I found the woman who helped me to be very polite and helpful with her advice on how to handle an unhappy IT band. Despite not spending a lot of time looking at their products I could recommend this place for anyone who runs.

Having thoroughly exhausted an already worn pair of New Balances with a few 5Ks and 10Ks this spring and summer, I decided to motivate the training for my first Half-​Marathon with new gear. At age eight, I arrived to my third horseback riding lesson in fleece-​lined plaid, new jodhpurs, and boots (thanksmomiloveyou). Instructor Amy said at least i looked the part. There’s something to this; an element of the psychology behind trying something new is to dress like you’re already a master.
Runner’s Edge has clearly outfitted the feet of many-​a-​marathoner; the process for pairing me with the correct sneakers was extensive. First I walked back and forth around the store in order for the salesman to study my gait (speaking of horses, there was something very equine about this– I resisted the urge to trot.)
«Do you feel pain in your knees when you run?»
«No.»
“Really?!”
I began to worry about what my walk was giving away.
Then, I was told to walk again, but to stop thinking about walking.
He gave me four or five options of models he thought would work best, and I ran on the in-​store treadmill with each pair I tried on.
I ended up with a super comfortable (and pretty) pair of aqua-​laced Brooks which have worked splendidly on runs thus far. Other than a slightly awkward moment that occurred when I asked to try on some sports bras (thankfully the lady working leapt to my aid at that point), it was a positive shopping experience and I’m glad to know there is running savvy close by.

I keep going back! I’ve tried other places but it’s official… Runner’s Edge is THE place for running shoes.
Go to someone recommended for a fitting: Cathy has fit me a few times and she is awesome! Adam helped me today and even though I was in a rush he was able to work with me to find a great shoe quickly! ‘speed dating for shoes’ might be the most successful speed dating out there…
Although a wider selection and different brands would be nice (had one pair of Pearl Izumi’s that were a dream come true and haven’t been able to find since) I highly recommend trying The Runner’s Edge for your next pair of sneaks!

Since writing my last review I did in fact go back to purchase my second pair. Again I received exceptionally friendly and helpful service as well as a snazzy new pair or shoes.

I could just say ditto to Roberts review. I went in expecting to walk out with new shoes, but ended up just walking out.
Just a clue to the owners, your in retail say «hi,» it goes a long way. You don’t have to stop helping the customer you are working with to acknowledge new customers as they enter, or are standing around staring at the shoe wall.
I wanted to support my local neighborhood store, guess I need to spend my money somewhere that cares I’m there.

I’m a novice runner (5K, 8K) and normally just went to DSW when I needed new shoes. A friend recommended going to Runner’s Edge to get shoes that are more designed for my foot. I went early on a Saturday in hope that they wouldn’t be super busy and I was right.
I was immediately greeted and assisted to find the right shoes. The associate asked what I liked, what type of running I would be doing, and asked me to walk & run in my current shoes. He then brought out 4 different pairs and had me do the same thing. He was very nice and we conversed the entire time.
I ended up choosing between 2 pair that were moderately priced. He didn’t try to up-​sell me to the high-​end shoes and didn’t try to sell me other gear. However, he did recommend that the right socks and other gear can make a difference too.
I ran 5 miles in the shoes today and they feel great! Much better than the shoes I randomly chose from DSW last year. I’ll definitely be back.

Kind of hard for me to write this review because the people that work at the Runner’s Edge are SO NICE. I’ve been in there a couple of times and the folks are always so friendly and they remember me, which I really appreciate. And I don’t mind that the store is on the smaller side because they seem to have a good selection of merch; plus, I like supporting a local, independent business.
Anyway, I made my first purchase from the Runner’s Edge the other day: I replaced my very worn-​out running shoes. I guess I should preface this by saying that I’ve been an avid runner for years and I know what I like in a pair of shoes, but I definitely still need some assistance. The guy who was helping me admitted that he was a new employee, and in my opinion, he was kind of lacking confidence. A little bit disheartening, considering that having good running shoes is SO important to me, and I count on the running store staff to know their stuff. Furthermore, I don’t think I would let an employee interact with customers unless they were 100% confident with what they’re doing.
All in all, I’m happy with my shoes, they feel good on my feet, but I was surprised that no one looked at my gait and no one helped me into the shoes. Maybe its my own fault for not speaking up, but I didn’t want to insult the guy (who couldn’t have been nicer); besides, everyone else in the store was busy. I will probably shop at Runner’s Edge again, but not for shoes.

As I was walking down Clark on a beautiful evening last week after dinner, decided to go in just to get an idea of the type of running should I should purchase. The person who helped me out was very knowledgeable and took her time with me. We tried on so many different types of shoes. She had me walk and run (on the treadmill) in them to see the support of the shoe and how my foot behaved in it. Now, I was just going in to take a look. However, I ended up buy the shoe. Being that she spent so much time with me and the shoe fits extremely well, I could not resist the purchase. Hopefully, my running will improve with this better shoe. The prices were decent. I expected to spend well over $ 200 but with two pairs of socks, support inserts, and the shoe came out to be $ 169 with tax. Amazing.

I just bought my very first pair of running shoes (to be used for ta-​da, running). I’ve bought many pairs of running shoes, that I do everything but run in. So now, I’m actually going to run, A LOT.
Went to The Runner’s Edge yesterday and bought from the very sweet blonde haired, punky girl… she was very knowledgeable, and very helpful. If you don’t know what kind of running shoes you need, they’ll help you pick what’s right for you. (In case you didn’t know, and I didn’t, there are quite a few levels of running shoes… Who woulda thunk?).
They also have a running group that meets at the store at 6:30 on Thursdays, ya know, in case you just bought running shoes (wink, wink)

Finding the right running shoes is a very difficult and subjective process, and because of this situation a business like Runner’s Edge needs to be flexible with their return policies.
Long story short, I was talked out of the shoes that I wanted to buy — the same type I had used with success for two years — by a high-​pressure salesperson who insisted that she knew which shoes were right for me. The shoes did not end up working, however, and caused me leg pain that I have never had before. When I came back the management was totally unwilling to work with me on their replacement. I went in after the stated return policy, true, but stores that trust their customers to be honest are the ones that create long term relationships. This is clearly is not one of those stores. I will be going elsewhere from now on.

Sports bra shopping — oh, the humanity.
So the girls were feeling a little looo — oooo – ooooow whilst at the gym.
Alas, I decided to do whatever it took to get a kickass sports bra. Be it online, in a shop, or by distracting a similarly sized chick at the gym and grabbing hers off her body, my hooters were gonna stay put in whatever bra I unearthed.
My luck was running dry as I searched at any number of shops, including a few mass market sportwear retailers and a handful of speciality boutiques. My frame was just too big for the tradition S/​M/​L sizing and the bras for larger ladies online just seemed to risky to purachse without a good try on and commensurate heave-​ho.
So it was with curious indifference I walked into Runner’s Edge in Andersonville. Small and sparse on inventory, I went to the wall where the sports bras were, and just decided to try a few bras on in whatever size seemed even remotely feasible.
And VOILA!!! After a few mishaps (YOUCH, some of those bras are TIGHT), I bullseyed my DREAM SPORTS BRA — thick shoulder straps with velcro adjusting, three hooks in the back to secure the back band, full cups, and a neutral color. OMG!!! I jumped, jiggled, and jogged, and my girls easily, thankfully, and happily STAYED PUT.
The bra was about $ 60/​$ 70, which I was perfectly willing to pay, and spoke with the manager to special order another as it was the last one it my size. The staff called me back a week later to let mw know my other bra was ready for me to pick up, and now I am the proud owner of not one, but two KICKASS sports bras.
Of note — the other sportswear is WAY too small for someone of my size, which is typical of boutique catering to runners, yogis, etc. Disappointing but not unusual.
I will definitely head back here to snap up a new pair of shoes in a few months, and would definitely encourage active women sizes 10 – 16 to check this place out for those in-​betweenie bra sizes. You know who you are!

As a beginning runner, the threshold between the outside world and the inside of a specialty running store can be more challenging to conquer than qualifying for the Boston marathon. Unhelpful staff members coupled with casual glances that spell, «Why are YOU in HERE?» can quickly squelch a new love of a sport.
I bravely stepped into The Runner’s Edge and was blown away. On my first visit, the manager greeted me and although I was just checking everything out, was more than accommodating in answering my questions. So, I went back. Again, I found the staff to be genuinely nice, have the same high quality of service, and were very knowledgeable about running and their products. The store even sponsors a weekly running club.
Yes, the store is small and they don’t carry a super-​duper variety of products. This is no big-​box store! They definitely make up for the size in quality brands and a great staff. I found an amazing hat that kept my head toasty through some of the nasty cold days and I didn’t even have to empty my wallet to get it!
Even if you’re not a runner, stop in for a friendly hello and have a look around. You might even find a cool t-​shirt or dog leash. Or, maybe you’ll discover the perfect pair of shoes and wonder why you never tried running before.