The Running Start

I love this place. Please know that you can do better on price BUT. This lady has NEVER EVER sold me anything less than the best quality, best fitting, perfect sneaker for me. They carry many brands. I even let her talk me into a brand I didn’t know, and it was a great sneaker. As a former runner (heart trouble cut me down) and now very long distance walker (I’m talking minimum 5 miles a day, sometimes 10 or more), I still buy from this place most of the time. I’m going today. I made a mistake, bought from somewhere else 6 months ago, the sneaker ended up inferior. I know that today I will get a top-​notch sneaker.

Yes it’s true: the woman who owns the store can be outspoken/​rude. She’s been there a long time and wants it done her way. You’re either there to buy or not. I understand one of the reviewers’ anger and know others who’ve felt the same way.
On the other hand: I was a serious track/​cross country runner in high school and college. We all knew where to go to get the best spikes and flats. It was always a small business. The prices were right and the selection, though not huge, was consistently excellent.
That’s what this place is. The owner was a marathon runner for years. She knows her stuff.
I’m no longer a runner (I ride my bike), but I’m a phys ed teacher who’s on his feet all day… so my feet need what’s good for them. If you want a great pair of running shoes (or exercise clothing for that matter… they’ve got a good selection of that, too), then I highly recommend The Running Start. They’ve got the goods.

My first running store in NY. I remember going there on an absolutely frigid NY morning. Small place, but packed with people that knew that the owners knew what they were talking about. Very helpful. Not the hugest selection, but this is Brooklyn. Much better than some of the places in Park Slope.