When we dreamed of owning a store we wanted it to be a place where runners of all ability levels could come swap stories as well as get the best fit experience possible. What we couldn’t have dreamed of is the number of people we have met through the years. We have watched (and hired) local high school athletes grow and thrive in new careers. We have fit countless senior citizens, podiatry patients, nurses, massage therapists and cooks – people who work on their feet all day – looking for the most comfortable shoe they have ever owned. And we have relied on the amazing people who keep this standard of customer service day in and day out on the floor of PR Running.
Jess & Rich
Rich
He began cycling and running after college, and ran his first marathon in 1998. He’s run four more marathons, 9 half’s and 16 10 milers, since then. When he’s not running his business, Rich coaches track for the Tri-Valley Frontrunners and chases his kids around outside, all the while listening to his favorite band Rush.
Reason for running: Rich and his wife Jess opened PR Running in Westborough in 2004 out of a shared passion for running. 14 years and two children later, Rich mixes meditation, yoga and running with the dog into his regular training. Running is still his first love and he gets antsy when too much time passes without a good run. Rich loves running Boston because of its historical significance as the oldest annual marathon in the world. “The crowds are fantastic. There’s a certain kind of celebration on that day,” he said. “And the course is definitely challenging. You can’t get ahead of yourself. In Boston if you’re not patient, you really pay.”
Jess
She was working for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program when Rich and she started to seriously think about opening a specialty run store. They both felt that there was a gap in specialty run stores that served the Metro West Boston Area. Jess has run recreationally from the age of 13 years old. When she and Rich met they caught the racing bug together and trained for everything from 5K’s to marathons. If they are lucky they will pass on their passion for running to their two children 9 and 11 years old.
JIM
Jim comes to PR Running with oodles of footwear and running industry experience. He has worked for all the big brands over his career and we consider ourselves lucky to have his knowledge and influence in the shop. Jim is an avid runner and cyclist, having qualified for the US Olympic Marathon Trials in 1984 and 1988. His running resume is too impressive and long to list here, but he is as down to earth as a fast runner can be. He has remained integrally involved in the running community as a participant and coach and can be seen running around town in all kinds of weather.
JOHN
John has traveled far and wide and comes to PR Running from Denver Colorado with 8 years of running specialty expertise under his belt. Not only has John completed multiple marathons while raising money for charity, he also has logged many miles with man’s best friend Out west John owned a dog jogging business. We knew he would fit right in at PR Running! We are lucky John and his wife’s latest adventure landed them in New England. They have 3 adult children and have lived in Africa and Quebec, Canada. Want to talk shoes in French? John is your guy He speaks French in addition to English