The Brooklyn Running Company

What The Brooklyn Running Company does

The Brooklyn Running Company is an independent, privately held running specialty retailer founded in fall 2013 and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. It operates two brick-and-mortar stores — at 480 Bergen Street in Park Slope and 222 Grand Street in Williamsburg — alongside an e-commerce storefront (brooklynrunningco.com) that ships nationwide and is built on the ShopLightspeed platform. The company serves individual consumers across the running and fitness-walking spectrum, with stated emphasis on beginner runners, and sells a 278-SKU catalog spanning performance running footwear ($110-$225 per pair) across brands such as Asics, Brooks, HOKA, Mizuno, New Balance, Nike, On, Salomon, Saucony, and adidas; performance apparel from Bandit, Nike, Tracksmith, and others; nutrition and hydration products; running accessories and gear; an exclusive ORIGINALS private-label apparel line; well-being/recovery items; and gift cards available in $25-$150 denominations and custom amounts.

The company's revenue model is straightforward one-time unit-level retail sales across physical and online channels, supplemented by an annual owned event (BKLYN MILE, a one-mile race on the Brooklyn Bridge marking its 10-year anniversary in 2026) with dedicated commemorative merchandise. Its go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer retail with a community-led approach, leveraging partnerships with 80+ local running groups across all five NYC boroughs, an events calendar, an email newsletter offering 10% off first online orders, and a rewards loyalty program. The core differentiator is a free, in-person expert fitting service using a proprietary assessment methodology (conversation, walking assessment, and single-leg squat analysis) delivered by approximately 20 staff members with backgrounds ranging from recreational to Olympic Trials Qualifiers — yielding a reported footwear return rate under 6% versus an estimated 35% for online-only purchases. The company maintains no disclosed parent, has not raised outside funding, and has no subsidiaries.

Name

The Brooklyn Running Company

Legal name

Brooklyn Running Company

Website

https://www.brooklynrunningco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Brooklyn Running Company is an independent running specialty retailer founded in 2013, operating two Brooklyn stores (Park Slope, Williamsburg) and nationwide e-commerce. It sells performance footwear, apparel, nutrition, and accessories, differentiated by free biomechanical fitting and community programs including the BKLYN MILE race.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Running Specialty Retail

NAICS

Shoe Retailers (458210)

SIC

Retail-Shoe Stores (5661)

akta.pro primary industry

Performance Running Specialty Retail (CRAMACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Running & Endurance Wear (CRAAAEAD)

Keywords

• Running footwear retail
• Performance running apparel
• Running shoe fitting
• Running accessories
• Local running community

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Footwear: One-time retail sales of running shoes across multiple price points ($100-$225 range) for men's and women's categories. Includes sale/clearance section for previous model years.
2. Product Sales - Apparel: One-time sales of performance running apparel including tops, bottoms, shorts, sports bras. Includes exclusive ORIGINALS line with NYC-themed merchandise ($26-$110 range).
3. Product Sales - Fuel/Nutrition: Sales of running nutrition products including energy gels, chews, bars, hydration mixes. Price points from $1.75-$55.95 for various brands.
4. Product Sales - Gear: Accessories including running socks, sunglasses, hydration bottles, watches/HRM, bug spray, caps, and bags. Price range $10-$40.
5. Gift Cards: Gift cards available in-store and e-gift cards in denominations of $25, $50, $100, $150 and custom amounts. Redeemable for all products.
6. Event Merchandise: BKLYN MILE race merchandise and commemorative apparel for the annual event and anniversary pieces.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Brooklyn Running Company is an independent running specialty retailer that sells performance running footwear, apparel, nutrition/fuel, gear, and accessories from a curated assortment of major brands. It operates two brick-and-mortar stores in Brooklyn (Park Slope and Williamsburg) along with a nationwide e-commerce store, and differentiates through a free in-store professional shoe fitting service using biomechanical assessment. The company also organizes the annual BKLYN MILE race and fosters community through partnerships with 80+ local running groups across NYC.

Product overview

The Brooklyn Running Company is NYC's independent running specialty retailer operating two locations (Park Slope and Williamsburg) since 2013. The company offers a comprehensive product portfolio centered on performance running footwear (men's and women's running shoes from major brands), apparel (performance running gear from Bandit, Nike, New Balance, Tracksmith), fuel/nutrition products (energy gels, bars, hydration from Maurten, GU, Skratch), running gear/accessories (socks, headwear, hydration systems, sunglasses from Garmin, Salomon, Goodr), and exclusive NYC-themed Originals apparel. The business model combines brick-and-mortar retail with e-commerce, supported by free professional shoe fitting services, a VDOT calculator tool, curated running routes, and a rewards loyalty program. The company also organizes the annual BKLYN MILE race and maintains a directory of local running groups across NYC.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RUN BKLYN: Exclusive apparel collection combining NYC style with practical functionality for runners and urban adventurers.
• ORIGINALS
• BKLYN MILE

Products and services

• Men's Running Footwear Performance running shoes for men from major brands (Asics, Brooks, HOKA, Mizuno, New Balance, Nike, On, Salomon, Saucony, adidas) spanning neutral, support, wide, and lightweight/racing categories. Approximately 140+ footwear products across all categories.
• Women's Running Footwear Performance running shoes for women from major brands (Asics, Brooks, HOKA, Mizuno, New Balance, Nike, On, Salomon, Saucony, adidas) with innovative technology and stylish designs for both intense training and leisure runs.
• Running Apparel Performance running apparel including tees, tights, sweatshirts, and bras from brands like Bandit, Nike, New Balance, Tracksmith, and Rabbit. Price range $35-$110.
• Fuel and Nutrition Running nutrition products including energy gels, energy bars, hydration drinks, and recovery products from brands like Maurten, GU, Honey Stinger, Skratch, and others. Price range $1.75-$55.95.
• Running Gear and Accessories Essential running accessories including socks, headwear, hydration systems, sunglasses, and transport gear from brands like Garmin, Goodr, Salomon, Body Glide, and others. Price range $10-$40.
• Originals Exclusive NYC Apparel Exclusive Brooklyn Running Company branded apparel combining NYC style with practical functionality, designed for runners and urban adventurers. Includes BKLYN MILE event merchandise, Brooklyn-themed apparel, and limited edition pieces. Price range $26-$110.
• Well-Being and Recovery Products Recovery and support products including compression socks, calf sleeves, insoles, and ankle sleeves from brands like Medi USA, Superfeet, currex, and Sole.
• Gift Cards Brooklyn Running Co. gift cards available in physical and e-gift formats in denominations of $25, $50, $100, $150, or custom amounts, redeemable in-store or online for all products.
• Professional Shoe Fitting Service Expert footwear fitting assessment including biomechanics evaluation, injury history review, walking assessment, single-leg squat analysis, and personalized shoe recommendations. Free service provided in-store with no appointment required.
• BKLYN MILE Annual Race Event Annual one-mile race on the Brooklyn Bridge organized by the company, including commemorative merchandise and apparel.
• Events and Community Programs Calendar of local races, group runs, and community events including various club-led activities throughout NYC.
• Rewards Loyalty Program Loyalty program offering points on purchases for redemption and exclusive member benefits for repeat customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Footwear return rate less than 6% for in-person purchases vs estimated 35% for online footwear purchases
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Local NYC Running Groups (80+ clubs)coreCommunity/ Developer relationsExtensive network of running groups across all five NYC boroughs - Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island. Includes clubs like Prospect Park Track Club, Brooklyn Track Club, North Brooklyn Runners, Dashing Whippets, and many more. Groups promoted on website and serve as community touchpoints.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fleet Feet: National specialty running retail chain with in-store fitting, gait analysis, and community event programming across 200+ locations. Most directly comparable to Brooklyn Running Company's specialty store + community-led model, though at much greater scale.
• JackRabbit: Specialty running retailer with multiple East Coast storefronts and a strong community/event focus. Comparable product mix of performance running footwear, apparel, and accessories plus expert fitting service.
• Roadrunner Sports: Online and outlet running footwear retailer offering broad assortments of premium running brands. Directly comparable catalog breadth and brand mix; competes primarily on price and selection rather than community.
• Running Warehouse: Online specialty running retailer carrying HOKA, Brooks, Asics, Saucony, and other premium brands. Direct e-commerce competitor to Brooklyn Running Company's online channel with overlapping customer base.
• Tracksmith: Premium running apparel brand with strong community positioning, amateur-runner content, and event programming. Comparable brand-led, community-driven approach to running culture though focused on apparel rather than footwear retail.

Emerging players

• Bandit Running: Premium performance running apparel brand carried by Brooklyn Running Company. Overlaps on running apparel assortment and community-led marketing targeting competitive amateur runners.

Broad incumbents

• HOKA: Premium running footwear brand sold by Brooklyn Running Company that operates a fast-growing DTC channel. Competes with the company both as a wholesale supplier and as a direct-to-consumer brand for the same end-customer.
• On: Premium running and lifestyle footwear brand carried in-store. Operates DTC and own-brand retail that competes for the same urban, performance-oriented runner customer the company serves.
• REI Co-op: Member-owned outdoor and running retailer with extensive footwear, apparel, and accessories assortment plus nationwide footprint. Broad incumbent that overlaps on running categories but does not specialize in run-only.
• Dick's Sporting Goods: National sporting goods big-box retailer with significant running footwear and apparel assortments. Competes on convenience and price but lacks the specialty fitting and community depth of Brooklyn Running Company.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/brooklynrunco
• Instagraminstagram.com/brooklynrunningco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brooklyn-running-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

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 The Brooklyn Running Company