Running Niche, a locally owned and operated specialty run/walk retail store serving the St. Louis area, has been named one of the Top 60 Best Running Stores in America through The Running Event 2022 awards program. This is the third consecutive year that Running Niche has received this national recognition.

“We are honored to earn this recognition again for 2022, as it reinforces to Jennifer and I to keep doing what we are doing: solving runners’ problems with our team’s excellent service, knowledge, and fitting skills and helping runners achieve their goals via our Lydiard Training Method coaching,” said co-owner Bob Dyer.

The Running Event is North America’s premier run and outdoor specialty conference and trade show. Its Best Running Stores award celebrates stores in the run industry who continually show commitment to their customers and communities. The winning stores must first be nominated by customers, industry professionals, or brands when the Best Running Stores award program launches in February. Once nominated, stores go through an initial vetting period and then a rigorous evaluation process that looks at employee benefits, community involvement, product offerings, and more. Selected stores are assessed by a secret shopper and graded on the in-store experience.

“The 2022 Best Running Stores exemplify what makes our industry so special: commitment, community, and passion,” said Christina Henderson, event director, The Running Event. “Our awards program offers the opportunity to formally recognize and celebrate the best run specialty stores in America. Winners should be extremely proud of this honor — each one is a driving force in strengthening the communities they serve and growing the run specialty industry.”

The 61 winning retailers for 2022 will be celebrated on December 1 at a reception during The Running Event conference in Austin, Texas. See the full list of 2022 Best Running Stores here.