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You Better Sprint to These 10 Greater Boston Running Stores

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Welcome to Fitness Week: five days of workout coverage, so that you can start your New Year's resolutions off right.


Image via South End Athletic Company/Facebook

Boston is one of the world's premier running cities—and that recognition goes far beyond the Boston Marathon itself. As the headquarters to innovative brands like New Balance and Reebok, the region runs the sneaker business. Expert retailers (Marathon Sports, South End Athletic Company) and even emerging brands like philanthropic apparel line Janji set the tone for a vibrant local business scene. Taking that a step further, the city is home to countless run clubs and residents devoted to hitting the pavement every day. All that said—there is great shopping when it comes to running gear. Here we've mapped ten stores that deserve a mention.


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Don't write off Target just yet. We wouldn't recommend getting your kicks from the big box retailer, but it does stock some wallet-friendly running apparel from C9 by Champion. Bonus: You can grab socks and water while you're there. [Photo]

New Balance Factory Store

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This is the spot for sports enthusiasts on a budget. The store carries men's, women's, and children's sneakers and even apparel. The footwear is typically factory seconds, closeouts or discontinued product. [Photo]

Eastern Mountain Sports

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For decades Eastern Mountain Sports has been providing New England with the ultimate selection of outdoor gear and apparel—and as such, is a good destination for minimalist running shoes from Merrell, Vibram, and Brooks. [Photo]

New Balance Experience Store

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Local legend New Balance opened an "Experience Store" in the heart of Boston, Copley Square to be exact, to share its history with the public. Take the learning opportunity to get behind-the-scenes content on your sneaker as you browse with a Fit Specialist. [Photo]

Marathon Sports

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Marathon Sports has become a Boston icon at the Marathon finish line and symbol of hope following 2013's April 15 tragedy. This regional running focused specialty chain is known for its gait assessment program, founded in the early 90s, and exceptional customer service. They also offer student discounts when you show a valid student ID. [Photo]

South End Athletic Company

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South End Athletic Company has a superior running goods selection because its founders are serious runners themselves. The merchandise is coupled with video gait analysis to select the proper shoe, and a double whammy of group runs and personal coaching make sure you put 'em to use. [Photo]

South Boston Running Emporium

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South Boston Running Emporium just moved itself to a new location on East Broadway, still housing the same expansive mix of Saucony, Mizuno, Brooks and more. The primary focus here is distance running.

Heartbreak Hill Running Company

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Named after the "heartbreaking" Boston Marathon stretch, Heartbreak Hill Running Company is the Newton outpost of SEAC. Customers are endlessly challenged by the Firehouse Run, an HHRC-devised route through the neighborhood. The shop will gladly log your completion times as you progress. [Photo]

City Sports

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Another notorious New England favorite, City Sports has an impressive array of head-to-toe running equipment, including its own private line and an entire wall of sneakers. This relatively new location even has a "track" to test your potential new kicks, with staff to help narrow down options. [Photo]

True Runner

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This new specialized offshoot of Dick's Sporting Goods set up shop at Chestnut Hill Square. Offering not only arch and gait analysis, True Runner also provides sports bra fittings and lockers for those who want to start their runs right from the store. [Photo courtesy of New England Development]

Target

Don't write off Target just yet. We wouldn't recommend getting your kicks from the big box retailer, but it does stock some wallet-friendly running apparel from C9 by Champion. Bonus: You can grab socks and water while you're there. [Photo]

New Balance Factory Store

This is the spot for sports enthusiasts on a budget. The store carries men's, women's, and children's sneakers and even apparel. The footwear is typically factory seconds, closeouts or discontinued product. [Photo]

Eastern Mountain Sports

For decades Eastern Mountain Sports has been providing New England with the ultimate selection of outdoor gear and apparel—and as such, is a good destination for minimalist running shoes from Merrell, Vibram, and Brooks. [Photo]

New Balance Experience Store

Local legend New Balance opened an "Experience Store" in the heart of Boston, Copley Square to be exact, to share its history with the public. Take the learning opportunity to get behind-the-scenes content on your sneaker as you browse with a Fit Specialist. [Photo]

Marathon Sports

Marathon Sports has become a Boston icon at the Marathon finish line and symbol of hope following 2013's April 15 tragedy. This regional running focused specialty chain is known for its gait assessment program, founded in the early 90s, and exceptional customer service. They also offer student discounts when you show a valid student ID. [Photo]

South End Athletic Company

South End Athletic Company has a superior running goods selection because its founders are serious runners themselves. The merchandise is coupled with video gait analysis to select the proper shoe, and a double whammy of group runs and personal coaching make sure you put 'em to use. [Photo]

South Boston Running Emporium

South Boston Running Emporium just moved itself to a new location on East Broadway, still housing the same expansive mix of Saucony, Mizuno, Brooks and more. The primary focus here is distance running.

Heartbreak Hill Running Company

Named after the "heartbreaking" Boston Marathon stretch, Heartbreak Hill Running Company is the Newton outpost of SEAC. Customers are endlessly challenged by the Firehouse Run, an HHRC-devised route through the neighborhood. The shop will gladly log your completion times as you progress. [Photo]

City Sports

Another notorious New England favorite, City Sports has an impressive array of head-to-toe running equipment, including its own private line and an entire wall of sneakers. This relatively new location even has a "track" to test your potential new kicks, with staff to help narrow down options. [Photo]

True Runner

This new specialized offshoot of Dick's Sporting Goods set up shop at Chestnut Hill Square. Offering not only arch and gait analysis, True Runner also provides sports bra fittings and lockers for those who want to start their runs right from the store. [Photo courtesy of New England Development]