Charlotte Running Co.

What Charlotte Running Co. does

Charlotte Running Company (CRC) is an independently owned specialty running and walking retailer operating four brick-and-mortar locations across the Charlotte, NC metropolitan area (Dilworth, Promenade, Lake Norman/Mooresville) plus a Rock Hill, SC store (Riverwalk), alongside a direct e-commerce storefront at shop.charlotterunning.com. Founded in 2000 and employing 11-50 people, the company sells a curated assortment of premium running and walking footwear, apparel, and accessories from Brooks, Hoka, ASICS, Nike, adidas, Saucony, New Balance, Altra, ON, Mizuno, and Puma, as well as proprietary CRC Branded Gear and an exclusive Chickn Legs apparel line. Product tiers span entry-level accessories ($13 massage balls) to high-performance carbon-plated racing shoes ($295 Nike Alphafly 3), with sale merchandise discounted 15-40% and free shipping over $100.

CRC's business model combines transactional retail with a community-led go-to-market built on training groups (RunSC, RunNC), run club partnerships (Mad Miles), and an owned race calendar (Rise Above 5K, Around the Crown 10K, Four on the Fourth, Hot Laps, Night of Miles). The expert in-store fitting process, in which staff present a curated selection meeting fit and support standards, is a core customer-acquisition and retention mechanism not replicable by pure e-commerce. The company has no disclosed funding, no parent company, and no public revenue; it operates as an independent small business, recognized as one of the Best Running Stores of 2024 and active in DEI initiatives through a partnership with the Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC).

Name

Charlotte Running Co.

Legal name

Charlotte Running Company

Website

https://charlotterunning.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Charlotte Running Company is an independent specialty running and walking retailer operating four stores across the Charlotte, NC metro plus an e-commerce site, serving recreational and competitive runners and walkers with curated premium footwear, apparel, community training groups, and hosted local races.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Running & Walking Retail

NAICS

Shoe Retailers (4582), Shoe Retailers (45821)

SIC

Retail-Shoe Stores (5661), Retail-Family Clothing Stores (5651)

akta.pro primary industry

Performance Running Specialty Retail (CRAMACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Athletic & Performance Footwear Retail (CRAAADAA), Outdoor Performance Footwear & Apparel Retail (Trail/Hike) (CRAMACAI), Outdoor Clothing & Footwear Retail (Camping/Hiking/Climbing) (CRAMAMAK)

Keywords

• Specialty running retail
• Running footwear
• Performance apparel
• Shoe fitting services
• Community race events

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Retail product sales: Revenue generated through sale of footwear, apparel, accessories, and gear at four physical retail locations and an e-commerce storefront. Products include running shoes, trail shoes, walking shoes, performance apparel, socks, hydration gear, GPS watches, and injury prevention items. Carries a curated selection of premium brands (Brooks, Hoka, ASICS, Nike, adidas, Saucony, New Balance, Altra, ON, Mizuno, Puma).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Charlotte Running Company is a specialty retailer of running and walking footwear, apparel, and accessories operating four physical stores in the Charlotte, NC metro area plus an e-commerce storefront. The company offers an in-store collaborative shoe fitting service that matches customers with curated selections from premium running brands, organizes community race events (e.g., Rise Above 5K, Around the Crown 10K), and runs structured training groups (RunSC, RunNC).

Product overview

Charlotte Running Company is a specialty running and walking retailer operating four retail stores in the Charlotte, NC area (Dilworth, Promenade, Lake Norman, and Riverwalk) plus an e-commerce platform at shop.charlotterunning.com. The company offers a curated selection of footwear, apparel, and accessories from major running brands including Brooks, Hoka, Asics, Nike, Saucony, New Balance, Altra, ON, Mizuno, and Adidas. Beyond retail, the company provides shoe fitting services, organizes community race events, and hosts training groups. Their product portfolio includes running shoes (daily trainers, trail shoes, carbon-plated racing shoes, stability shoes), athletic apparel, socks, hats, and hydration gear. They also sell proprietary CRC Branded Gear and Chickn Legs sub-brand apparel. The business model combines physical retail locations with online shopping, offering services like gift cards and digital gift certificates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Footwear Curated assortment of running, trail, walking, carbon-plated racing, stability, and track spike footwear for men, women, and youth, sourced from Brooks, Hoka, ASICS, Nike, adidas, Saucony, New Balance, Altra, ON, Mizuno, and Puma. Designed for recreational runners, walkers, competitive racers, and trail runners in the Charlotte market.
• Running Apparel and Accessories Performance running apparel (tops, shorts, singlets, tanks, outerwear) plus accessories (socks, hats, beanies, hydration packs, massage balls, reflective vests, injury prevention items) from Say Sky Copenhagen, Chickn Legs, and CRC Branded Gear. Targeted at runners, walkers, and race participants.
• Expert Shoe Fitting Service Collaborative in-store fitting service in which staff present a curated selection of shoes that meet appropriate fit and support standards, helping each customer identify the right shoe for their gait, foot shape, and running/walking goals. Available across the four Charlotte-area retail stores.
• Community Race Events Organized and hosted community running races including Rise Above 5K, Four on the Fourth, Around the Crown 10K, Hot Laps, Night of Miles, South End Shuffle, Achilles Charlotte 5K, Yiasou Greek Festival 5K, Hit The Brixx 10K & 6K (presented by Novant Health), Novant Health Lake Norman 15K & 5K, and Rocktoberfest 10K & 5K. Open to runners and walkers of all levels in the Charlotte region.
• Structured Training Groups Organized coached training programs, including the RunSC Training Group (CRC Riverwalk) and RunNC Training Group (Charlotte Running Company), for runners of various skill levels preparing for local races.
• Gift Cards Digital and physical gift cards redeemable for merchandise either online at shop.charlotterunning.com or in-store across all four Charlotte-area locations; digital gift certificates are delivered via email and never expire.

Quantifiable outcome

• Named one of the Best Running Stores of 2024 (national recognition)

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024CRC hosted RIDC's first-ever Career Summit alongside the For the Girls 5K Walk/Run event. The partnership aims to make the running industry more inclusive and accessible, providing career opportunities and panels for underrepresented communities.
• Mad Miles Run ClubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Local Charlotte run club partnered with CRC during the Community Unity Cookout and DEI Symposium to support local causes and community engagement.
• Novant HealthminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Presented the Hit The Brixx 10K & 6K race event as sponsor. Novant Health is a regional healthcare provider sponsoring local running events.
• Cross Country for Youth (nonprofit)minorOthersReggie McAfee's nonprofit was honored at CRC's Community Unity Cookout for contributions to the running community. CRC supports the organization through community events.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.): National outdoor and active-lifestyle co-op retailer with broad running, trail, and outdoor equipment assortment plus strong community programming (in-store classes, events, co-op member programming). Overlaps with CRC's trail and outdoor performance category but as a much broader outdoor specialist, not a running-focused operator.
• Dick's Sporting Goods: National full-line sporting goods retailer with broad running footwear and apparel assortment alongside many other sports categories. Competes with CRC for running footwear dollars but as part of a much wider sporting goods portfolio rather than a running-specialist niche.

Direct peers

• Roadrunner Sports: Specialty running retailer operating both brick-and-mortar stores and a leading e-commerce site, focused on running shoes, apparel, and gait analysis. Overlaps with CRC on multi-channel specialty running retail, premium brand selection, and expert fitting-driven value proposition.
• Sports Basement: Bay Area multi-store sporting goods retailer with a strong running and outdoor assortment and an event- and community-driven operating model. Comparable to CRC in multi-store specialty retail with strong community programming and deep category curation in running.
• Gazelle Sports: Michigan-based independent specialty running and walking retailer with multiple stores, curated brand selection, expert fitting, and community programming (training groups and events). Closely matches CRC's combination of in-store fitting, community-led GTM, and premium running brand curation.
• Running Warehouse: Leading online-only specialty running retailer offering broad selection of premium running shoes (including carbon-plated racing models), apparel, and gear at competitive prices. Overlaps with CRC's e-commerce channel and serves the same brand-loyal core runner demographic.
• Fleet Feet: Largest US specialty running retail franchise with hundreds of locations carrying the same premium brand portfolio (Brooks, Hoka, Nike, ASICS, Saucony, New Balance) and offering in-store fitting services. Most directly comparable peer given shared focus on community programming (training groups, races) and expert fitting as core differentiators.
• Holabird Sports: Baltimore-based specialty running and walking retailer operating primarily online with a wide selection of running shoes and gear and personalized fitting support. Comparable to CRC on specialty running category focus and premium brand depth, with overlap on direct-to-consumer digital channel.
• Big Peach Running Co. Multi-store specialty running chain based in the Southeast (Georgia) with a similar community-driven operating model including training groups, hosted races, and expert fitting. Comparable to CRC as a regional specialty running chain of similar scale (~3-5 stores) with strong community programming.
• Philadelphia Runner: Independently owned specialty running store with multiple Philadelphia-area locations selling premium running brands and emphasizing expert fitting and local race sponsorship. Directly comparable to CRC in independent ownership structure, store-within-a-metro focus, and community-event-driven engagement model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/charlotterunningcompany
• Xx.com/charrunco
• Facebookfacebook.com/charlotterunning
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/charlotte-running-co-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Charlotte Running Co.