The Running Business

Whether in the business of selling gear and supplements or sponsoring road races, the hobby of running has become commercial.
    Garry Gribble's Running Sports opened its newest store in Lawrence this summer and is experiencing the busyness of its first running season.
    "With the start of cross country season and cooler weather, we definitely have an influx in people eager to hit the road again," said Tyson Wiloughby, a Garry Gribble's employee.
    People are also out running training for road races varying in distances from one mile to full marathons. These runners do not just shop for shoes and clothing; energy goo and gels have become a popular way to replenish electrolytes.
    "They provide the electrolytes and carbohydrates needed to refuel," said John Winslow, Garry Gribble's employee.
    Nicole Simms, an employee at Sunflower Outdoor Bike in Lawrence, said that the store is not effected too much by marathoners and the running season, but runners do come in for the energy providers such as Jelly Belly's Sport Beans, Cluf Bars, and Clif Shot Blocks. These energy providers work like the Energy Goo and help replenish the body with what it needs before, during and after a long run.
    Simms is a marathon runner as well. Each year she runs two full marathons and two or three half marathons.
    "I buy new shoes about every month and a half and spend about $100 there," Simms said. Clothes last longer than shoes, so she is able to keep wearing her running attire and not spend extra money on clothing.
    "Other than shoes I just have to buy my socks and sports beans," Simms said.
   

    Michelle Maxwell, a half-marathon runner, also spends less on clothing because it lasts longer.
    "I do spend about $120 on each pair of shoes though," Maxwell said. She runs seven or eight races per year and she spends approximately $400 each year on her hobby of running.
    While the runners are buying their running gear in preparation for the race, race hosts are spending money as well. Josh Todd, recreation manager at the Ottawa Recreation Commission, is preparing for the Race for the Taste event on Oct. 4. Race for the Taste is just one of seven races taking place in northeast Kansas that weekend, one of those being the Sandrat Trail Run in Lawrence on Oct. 5. Todd said that the cost of hosting this event is fairly inexpensive because the only costs were renting the timing system, the T-shirts, and the awards. The timing system was the most expensive at about $200.  Through the entrance fee, which every participant pays, the t-shirts and awards are paid for. The entry fee for this race is $25. Todd said this is the second year of this event and last year the event had 27 participants.
    "We hope for more this year, but there is a lot of competition this time of year--with two or three races happening every weekend," Todd said. Event hosts also get local businesses to sponsor the race. Todd has eight sponsors and is still following up with restaurants and asking them to participate.
    Fall weather and running clubs are brining out the runners in the Lawrence area. Garry Gribble's is enjoying the customers of its first running season in Lawrence.
    "Lawrence has a nice little running community," Winslow said.

  

See the versatile drive behind running in Lawrence