Rush Running Co. of Fayetteville, a local supplier of health-and-fitness gear and accessories, is a business difficult to ignore. Located on North College Avenue, the red-and-black building is stamped with its signature logo: Rush Running, with “Running’s” R creatively designed to resemble a running person, complemented by lines of air to signify movement. Those unfamiliar with the store might guess that it is a vendor for running supplies, but its impact on Fayetteville and northwest Arkansas runs much deeper. In fact, it was named the best running store in America in 2018 by Running Insight.
Rush Running Co. was established in Bentonville in 2008 by Mike Rush and his wife, Alison. The duo had previously held placement on the roster for The University of Arkansas track and field team. After a stint working for a running store and for Adidas, Mike decided it was time to switch lanes. “I begged my wife to let me take all of the money we had, and then some, and open our running store,” said Mike Rush.
They had such a successful launch that the Rush’s decided to expand to Fayetteville in 2011 so that their team could reach more people. Residents of Fayetteville no longer had to drive several miles to utilize the resources Rush Running Co. has to offer. Rush and his team of highly-trained employees can match runners of all skill levels with the perfect pair of athletic shoes, whether it be for walking, running, or hiking. Using video gait analysis technology, the Rush Running Co. team studies interested customers as they walk or run, which helps categorize them into a certain type of shoe. The service is $30; however, the shoe analysis is free if a customer decides to purchase a pair of shoes from the store. “The least amount of factors of getting hurt is what we try to accomplish,” said Rush. “We try a shoe on until their foot smiles the biggest.”
Rush is also known for his passion for local races. Each year, he runs a training group of 350 people for the Bentonville half-marathon. “I really like to meet people that come into the store and say, ‘I’m not a runner, but I want to run a race, and we do everything possible to help them get to the finish line,” said Rush. Additionally, Rush Running Co. sponsors around fifty charity races a year in northwest Arkansas. His team works to make sure races have everything they need, such as planning out trials, providing gifts for runners, or advertising on social media.
A hidden gem inside of Bentonville’s location is Rush’s nationally recognized shoe museum, which showcases the changes in design and development of athletic shoes over the decades. Luckily for Fayetteville, the museum is expanding into the Fayetteville location later this year.
STAYING WARM (SUBHEADING)
The start of the new year is all about making resolutions. If you are interested in picking up running, Rush recommends that you keep in mind the freezing weather of late winter and early spring. While there are local gyms with indoor running tracks or treadmills, Rush feels that getting accustomed to running outdoors is much more fun and scenic. Rush Running Co. has all the supplies necessary to keep warm as you start taking running seriously.
Rush recommends covering your chest, using gloves, and wearing a good hat when running through cold Arkansas wind. “The more comfortable you are, in whatever weather you’re in, the more inspired you will be to get outside and run,” said Rush. “Plus, it’s pretty to run after a good snow”
No matter your body temperature or your level of comfort, running can be a difficult hobby to master at first, but Rush insists those who are serious about it should keep fighting. “If you have both consistency and patience, you will get whatever you want,” said Rush. “Getting fit in running doesn’t happen overnight. You have to be consistent and patient, and then you will reap the rewards.”
There is also warmth in numbers. Northwest Arkansas is overflowing with residents that love to run, so much so that there are several Run Clubs active throughout the area. Completely free and open to all skill levels, running clubs are a fantastic way to find community, stay motivated, and bundle up when it gets too chilly.
If you’re still hesitant to start running in 2025, Rush simply suggests you think about your health: “Don’t you want to live longer?”
Need a recommendation?: If you’re overwhelmed by the number of options when it comes to trails and roads around Fayetteville to choose for your next running spot, Mike Rush recommends the Lake Fayetteville Trail, the Markham Hills Nature Trails, and Agri Park.