Every year, The Running Event (TRE) honors the year’s best running store at its annual trade show and conference in Austin, Texas. In 2024, PR Run & Walk was recognized as the year’s best.
The Ashburn, Va.-based retailer accepted the 2024 Best Running Store Award at TRE’s industry awards dinner on Thursday night. PR Run & Walk, one of the nominees in the Northeast & Mid-Atlantic region, has nine locations in Northern Virginia and one in Richmond.
Scott Dvorak, owner of Charlotte Running Co. — a past Best Running Store winner — presented the video highlighting PR Run & Walk and what makes the store stand out.
“For the past 21 years, they’ve built a major business in Northern Virginia, and today they operate 10 stores and not only provide top-notch service to runners and walkers, they’ve become true pillars in their community,” he said. “They’ve grown their operation into something much more than a business. They’ve made it a place for runners and families alike feel welcomed, supported and inspired.”
Ray and Cathy Pugsley, owners of PR Run & Walk, offered thanks to their team and community for helping them earn this honor.
“I think life is about finding your people. We found ours, including each other, through running,” Cathy Pugsley said during her acceptance speech. “When we started the stores, we wanted to build an inclusive community and a family, and I feel like our team is our family, and that is what makes us successful.”
A week before the show, TRE revealed the four finalists, which also included A Runner’s Mind in San Francisco (from the West region), Fleet Feet Fayettville in Fayettville, N.C. (from the South region), and Up and Running Fitness Shoes & Apparel in Dayton Ohio (from the Midwest region).
These finalists were narrowed down from a list of 63, which was revealed in July. The list included several past Store of the Year winners, such as Palmetto Running Co. in Hilton Head Island, S.C. (2023), Ridgefield Running Co. in Darien, Conn. (2022), Charlotte Running Co. in Charlotte (2021) and The Runner’s Edge MT in Missoula, Mont. (2019).
Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.
