Terra Running Company Nationally Recognized for Third Year in a Row
Once again, Terra Running Company has been nationally recognized as “A Best Running Store.” This is Terra Running Co.’s fourth time winning the award and the third year in a row they have received the recognition (2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024).
Conferred by The Running Event since 2008, this national award recognizes leaders in the run specialty industry. A months-long process, The Running Event evaluates businesses’ in-store experience, as well as their out-of-store presence in the community, including charitable involvement and events and programs promoting the sport of running. To be considered for a Best Running Store award, retailers must also be nominated by customers and their community before being examined on location. In 2024, The Running Event team sorted through over 15,000 nominations representing nearly 270 unique stores around the US before conferring the “Best Running Store” designation on the approximately 60 winning retailers.
As explained by Christina Henderson, the Director of The Running Event, “These stores are managed by teams of people who care deeply about each other and their customers. This care and dedication creates ripple effects throughout communities across the country, not to mention all corners of the running industry.”
Owner Brittany Katz credited the Terra Running team and the support of the Cleveland community as being vital to winning the coveted designation. “The Terra Running staff and I have kept our standards high for customer service, helpful and creative community events, all while providing the best experience for our customers; I believe this is why we brought the ‘Best Running Store’ award to Cleveland again this year. I am so thankful that Cleveland has continued to support our small business. We are excited for the future!”
All Best Running Store winners will be honored in person at The Running Event in Austin, Texas, on November 21, 2024.
To view the full list of winners and to learn more, visit: https://www.therunningevent.com/best-running-stores-2024/
Brittany's Three Summer Favorites
Summer is here and we have the gear!
We asked the staff what three things they are particularly loving on their adventures this summer. Read on for Brittany’s current top three summer favorites…
Brooks Chaser 5 inch shorts: I wear these all day AND for every single run in the summer. The waistband is thick and comfortable and the length is perfect for wearing around or sweating in. This year's version of the short has a pocket in the small of your back big enough to hold a phone. It's so comfy, I literally "lose" my phone and it's in my pocket and I don't even notice! I am constantly doing laundry just so I can get these shorts to wear again!
Feetures Elite Compression Sock
Junk headbands: These are also great for wearing around and for running! Great for guys or girls, they are moisture wicking and lightweight. They stay put once you start sweating, which let's be honest, is the second you walk out the door these days! I love all the fun patterns and solids.
Feetures socks: If you are dealing with blisters, hot spots, or any kind of rubbing, don't just blame your shoes. These are more often evidence of sweaty cotton socks. Feetures socks are moisture wicking, meaning they will keep the skin drier than cotton or a cotton/poly blend sock. The Elite sock has great compression and a deep heel, so they won't move around inside your shoe. I wear them any time I have closed-toed shoes on in the summer because my feet get sweaty pretty quick, but I am especially sure to have them on when working out!
Honorable mentions: Goodr sunglasses, Skratch Labs hydration, Brooks Drive 3 Pocket bra, Body Glide
TRC Travel Notes: Outdoor Retailer
In January, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Salt Lake City, Utah for the annual Outdoor Retailer trade show. The running specialty industry is just a subsection of the entire Outdoor industry, and it was so interesting to learn more about the outdoor retail space as a whole.
Touted as the largest global business-to-business trade event serving the outdoor industry, "OR," as it's called, was definitely situated in the right city for the crowd. Salt Lake City was a great area to visit. Although I didn't hit the slopes for pre- or post- show skiing like many of the visitors, I enjoyed exploring the city on foot. I went for some really great runs around town and visited Memory Grove Park, the Utah state capitol building, and Temple Square. I think running through a new city is the best way to explore it, and Salt Lake City didn't disappoint! It felt safe, the sun was shining, and the sidewalks were wide and accessible!
Inside the trade show, I met with some new brands, as well as some familiar ones to the running industry. I was able to chat with some of the national sales managers for Qalo, an active jewelry brand, and decided to bring in their popular silicone rings to offer at Terra Running Company. (They even custom engraved a dog tag for Rocky while I was there!) Another brand I was excited to meet with was Klean Freak, a husband and wife team who created a great individually wrapped, natural body wipe perfect for post-run or workout. I am always on the hunt for new, unique brands to offer to the Cleveland community, and Klean Freak really impressed me! We now offer all of their body wipes in the store and they've quickly become a staff favorite.
In addition to the trade show, there were tons of education sessions I attended. From learning about trends in the outdoor industry from 2022, to mastering social media marketing, I came away from OR with tons of new ideas for our team to implement!
Overall, the chance to attend Outdoor Retailer was a huge win for Terra Running Company. We strive to stay on top of industry trends and bring our customers the best brands on the market, and OR was an awesome chance to continue toward that goal.
Three of Brittany's Favorite Things...
Are you ever curious about the staff’s favorite items in Terra? While we love and stand behind all of the products we sell, as individuals, we like some things more than others.
Read on to find out what three things are currently Brittany’s favorite!
Brooks Glycerin GTS 20 Stealthfit: “Not only do these Brooks stability shoes feel soft, light, and supportive, but they look great! The white ‘Stealthfit’ is a knit upper that looks stylish, matches any outfit, and is breathable and cute on a run! I ran a marathon in these in September.”
Brooks Method 8 in. short: “I never knew how much I loved compression shorts until I ran in these. They don’t move, ride up, and there’s no adjusting necessary. I love the huge phone sized pockets on either side as well. I have black because I don’t like to have to decide if my running clothes match or clash. Plus, no sweat stains.”
Terra Crewneck Sweatshirts: “At only $32, these sweatshirts are affordable and super versatile. I wear mine all. the. time. We have a bunch of cool designs so you can stock up on more than one. Come try one on and you’ll understand!”
Small Business Person of the Year?? Terra Girls Episode 7
In this special edition of Terra Girls, join the Terra and Cleveland Coffee & Market crew as they head to the Mel Bedwell Small Business Person of the Year award luncheon... SPOILER ALERT, Brittany wins!
What We're Wearing: Shoes (Brittany)
What shoe are you currently running in and what were you running in before this shoe?
Women’s Brooks Glycerin GTS 19
I am on my third pair of the Brooks Glycerin GTS, now the version 19. I need a bit of stability when I run, but I love the cushion. I did a triathlon this year and the extra cushion felt super nice off of the bike. My "kick-its" are the Brooks Glycerin 19. I try to wear a neutral shoe when I'm not running to help strengthen my feet, but I can't seem to get away from that cushion! I also love the On Cloud for slipping on to walk the dog or run to Target. I have been wearing the Altra Torin 5 to do weight training recently. I love the zero drop, but also still need good cushion! The wide toe box is nice for foot stability. Finally, my "dress up" running shoes are the Roger Center Court from On. They are dressy for me, all white and match everything.
Who would you recommend the shoe for?
I would recommend the Glycerin or Glycerin GTS to anyone who likes the fit of a Brooks shoe, wants that extra cushion but may not be interested in a max cushion shoe. Both the Glycerin and Glycerin GTS are relatively light and are long lasting.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22
What shoe are you planning on running in next?
I am interested in trying the new Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22. It is softer than the previous models of the Adrenaline, so I think it will be closer to the Glycerin GTS. I like that it's lightweight and the upper fits well. It has the same guide rail support that the Glycerin GTS has.
What advice would you give someone who is looking to venture out and try a new shoe or brand?
Lots of people ask for our favorite shoes when we're working in the running store. We have the luxury of being able to try on all of the shoes and compare, and I have never really been loyal to one brand or one shoe model. I like to have different shoes for different activities, whether it's walking my dog, running, or weight training. All of the brands we carry are top-of-the-line running shoe brands, and no one is better than the next. Even if you've never tried a brand before, if it's in our store, I can personally vouch for the quality!
Brittany Selected as 2021 Community First Honoree
Every year Cleveland State Community College presents the Community First Awards to honor individuals from the region for the ways that they have supported and served the local community. This year, our very own Brittany Katz was selected as an Honoree in Philanthropy!
If you have been around Cleveland for a while, Terra owner Brittany Katz is no stranger to you. A board member of MainStreet Cleveland, the Chamber of Commerce, and currently the “Sargent in Arms” for Cleveland’s Rotary Club, Brittany has been an active member of the Cleveland community since she moved here in 2016. Though she has been creatively using Terra and her other venture Cleveland Coffee & Market, to support the community from the very beginning, after the difficulties of this past year, she wanted to give back in a more direct way. Out of this desire, Brittany, along with friend and owner of Carroll Printing Andrea Boddeker, started what they call “The Small Biz Give.” Each month a portion of proceeds and physical goods from their businesses — Terra Running Company, Cleveland Coffee & Market, and Carroll Printing — are donated to a local non-profit. Already this year, thousands of dollars have been donated locally through The Small Biz Give.
“2020 was the most uncertain year we have ever had. Small businesses rely heavily on the local community and we wanted to support the people who have supported us. The Small Biz Give is another way to include customers in supporting their community as well as helping them understand the difference between us and a big box store… when you buy local you support friends and neighbors, you provide local jobs.”
Beyond The Small Biz Give, Brittany and her crew at Terra Running and Cleveland Coffee & Market have been finding ways to rally around the community since the beginning of 2020’s troubles.
“We started by fundraising with the I Believe in Cleveland shirts to benefit those affected by the tornado last April. We also collected donations from customers to help bring hundreds of coffees to healthcare workers at Tennova. We help local artisans sell their goods [through Cleveland Coffee & Market] and, of course, we always use as many local businesses as possible for all of our own business needs; if we are going to spend money we are going to spend it here.”
Though the Community First Awards happen every year, for 2021, the selection committee focused specifically on individuals who put the community first despite the pandemic and all of its challenges. With this in mind, Brittany was selected by the committee as an Honoree in Philanthropy for how she has served the community with generosity and grit even in the face of her own businesses' challenges. In the words of the committee, “Everything she does puts the community first.”
Congratulations Brittany and a big THANK YOU for all the ways that you serve our community!