Eugene Running Company

I was REALLY disappointed by the attitude of the saleswoman. She was very condescending and short. I was referred here by several people in the running community and was really looking forward to a positive experience. I will not be buying shoes there (i had hoped to give my money to a locally owned small business), and I will definitely not have anything positive to report to anyone who asks.

Locally owned by wonderful people. Lots of positive contributions by Bob and Laura to the local running community. Not to mention that they know their stuff when it comes to running shoes and apparel. Stop by and you will become a customer for life.

We are from Coos Bay, the hometown of Steve Prefontaine. My wife is an ardent runner, a little over 50, 5′ tall and petite. As a runner she supinates, meaning she needs a neutral shoe. We don’t have anyplace in our town that caters to her shoe needs. I suggested we stop at ERC in track town USA since they reputedly carry certain Mizunos and Asics shoes for runners like her. We found a couple shoes that we knew could meet her needs and had a bit of a time getting some help. Once we did, she told the young man the two shoes she wanted to try on, in size 6.5. He said they didn’t carry women’s sizes smaller than 7! We were a little baffled by how that works in a town with so many runners of all ages and sizes. Unbelievable, but true. She ordered on line that evening from Mizuno.

I just moved to Eugene and needed a new pair of running shoes. I’ve been running for over 15 years and usually order my shoes online but I figured I would try out the local running store. I contacted them because I wear a women’s 12 and often it isn’t in stock. Eugene Running Company told me to «come on in» that they would be «happy to order them for me.» When I got to the store, I had a very different experience. I went in and explained the shoe I was looking for, they told me I would have to order it and it would require a deposit. Totally fine! I was happy to do that. I began giving my information and they discouraged me from the color I wanted, explained the shoe may not be in stock in my size anyway, and continued to discourage me. I found the shoe online, in my size, favorite color and in stock! I told them if it was too much trouble, I could order it online. I had hoped to avoid shipping cost and use a gift card and discount card specifically for their store, but rather than trying to convince them to order me shoes, I decided to order them on my own.
The other time I went to the store, no one offered to help me even when I waited at the desk. And there was only 1 other person in the store. I am so disappointed. I wanted to join their weekly running groups and become a regular but I will stick to the Nike store in Oakway instead. The Nike store willingly helped me and offered to order my size when it wasn”t in stock!

Eugene Running Company is the go to place for running or walking shoes in Track Town USA. An image of Legendary Eugene Runner Steve Prefontaine greets you on the outside of the store and inside there is other running Pre memorabilia and also from other local runners.
The store was a lot smaller than I anticipated, but it is quality over quantity here. The staff have a lot of knowledge about running, walking and feet to help you with what you are looking for. They will even order a pair of shoes if none are in stock.
I’ll definitely be back!

I was pleasantly greeted when I came in and the salesperson was eager to help. I explained that I wanted to buy shoes made in the USA and he quickly stopped showing me Nikes. He asked questions about what kind of gait I have, but did not ask me any questions about my running history. Perhaps because this is a running store, it was sort of implied. Anyway, when he came back with some shoes, he seemed spaced out and gave me the wrong size and he did not even explain that they didnt have my size in stock until I had the shoes on. It was silly that he did not tell me this before he gave me a shoe that was obviously too big for me.

I have been shopping here on and off for years, and each time we come in, we get a different experience.
When my husband purchased his Brooks recently, the young woman that helped him was very knowledgeable and very friendly. Best service we have ever had.
Each time I have brought in my teenage son, who runs year-​round, we have had sub par service. I feel like they do not take him seriously because he is a teenager, though he is a serious runner, we have money to spend on shoes that he needs every 3 months. The one time he got helpful service, and they had him run on the machine to watch his gait, he was encouraged to buy Brooks shoes. Which he wound up hating, gave him shin splints and hurt his feet.
75% of the time the service is pretentious, snotty or we are completely ignored. There is a short woman in her 50s (my guess) and she is NEVER friendly, ever. I have never seen her smile.
I understand supporting local stores, which is why we go in often enough, but they really need to step up the customer service. If you know so much about running, but cannot be NICE, why bother selling running shoes?

I had a great experience today buying my shoes and really appreciate the time they spent helping me. I’ll be back!

Like others I am not impressed or even moving in that direction when it comes to ERC. The sales guy was benign and not at all helpful. He didn’t seem knowledgeable about any of the shoes. If he did know something he certainly didn’t share any expertise. It is not clear to me how this store is a «specialty» runner’s store. Simply selling running shoes does not make a store a «specialty» running store. I could have gone online to purchase shoes and received better service and more insight about the actual product. If ERC wants to be considered a cutting edge specialty running store or at least start moving in that direction, I suggest they consider employing workers who know something about the products they carry, have the social skills to convey that knowledge, and take an actual interest in what they are there to do… sell shoes and work. BTW, the other two workers sat on their duffs the entire time. Perhaps on break, but perhaps overstaffed with workers who are ineffective.

Excellent local business — owner & staff are passionate and knowledgeable about their niche and go the extra mile to support the local running community. Group runs sponsored by ERC on Monday nights at 6 and Sunday mornings at 9 represent opportunities to meet others and explore local routes. This business adds a lot to the vitality of Tracktown USA.

You’d think there’d be a million of these specialty runners’ stores in Track Town USA. Then again, while it is Track Town, this is Eugene after all. It’s still a small town for the most part, save for Nike University.
Anyway, back to ERC … just what you’d expect at a specialty runners’ store. All the usual brands — Nike, Adidas, Brooks, Mizuno, Asics, etc. Not to mention employees who know what they’re talking about and can get runners outfitted properly. You won’t find the generally underinformed type of workers who are native to places such as Foot Locker, Dick’s, Sports Authority, and so on. If you have a specific foot issue — and they do complimentary gait analysis here to figure out exactly what your foot issue is – ERC’s employees will stick your feet in the right kind of shoes.
So if you’re new to the running world, do yourself a favor and just head straight to ERC instead of wasting your time at the corporate sporting goods joints. It’ll do you and the local economy a world of good.

ERC has stood the test of time — outliving all the other running-​specialty shoe stores in the area. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable about running and shoes (many are collegiate and Olympic-​caliber runners themselves). There is no other place like it in Eugene — being fitted w/​the proper shoe is imperative — something you can’t do when/​if ordering on-​line. Their prices are a bit below suggested retail but you also get a 10% discount if you’re part of a running team, running club, or a student. Shoe selection if great. Clothing selection is limited due to size of store and, I suspect, desire to not use up a lot of capital in a fickle market. Locally owned and operated. ERC goes totally out of its way to support the running community in Lane County — they are everywhere, all the time, helping sponsor races, clinics, teams, and classes. ERC fills an essential role in the University of Oregon/​Eugene area.

This store has changed locations over the years. When I was going to UO, it was off campus. Only true believers work here and if you are new to running, then this is the place to go for your shoes. You will be properly fitted. Minus one star for the size of the place. Otherwise, I always recommend this place to friends traveling to Eugene and I always make it a point to stop by when I am in town.

This is a nice little running store.
It is really important for runners to support local, independent running stores. Big sports chains and the Internet just can’t help either the serious or casual runner get into the right shoe. A lot of people get injured or even give up running for lack of the right shoe.
I like seeing the local shops and while in Eugene for the NCAAs I stopped by Eugene Running. It’s a tiny shop but that’s OK they seemed to have everything I’d want if I were a Eugener (Eugenite? Eugenian?). I really liked the diverse selection of running and track memorabilia displayed everywhere in the store. It had a nice homey track-​shack feel while still being clean and organized.
I didn’t get fitted for shoes but the staff seemed to know their stuff, and were friendly and enthusiastic. I got into a great discussion on the day’s races with the staff. Tell me that is going to happen to you while you are shopping on-​line!
Seriously, support these guys. They are going to spend an hour helping you find your perfect shoe. Maybe you could save $ 20 on line and get your shoe next week but so what, who fits you in your shoe next time? Who takes your return? C’mon, it’s worth it. These guys are cool. We’re trying to have a society here!

I’ve always believed that if you are any degree of serious about running, you should be purchasing your shoes, etc. from specialized local (or at least quasi-​local) establishments. ERC is this place for Eugene. Unfortunately, it falls quite a bit short of other similar stores that I’ve visited throughout the years.
For starters, the store is incredibly tiny. It is jam-​packed with clothes racks and there isn’t really room for more than 3 – 4 people to be trying on shoes at once. The checkout desk is small and the area around it can get congested with just a few people waiting.
The service could use some work. It by no means was bad — just not very friendly. And that doesn’t mean every employee, either. The clerk who helped me was just not very friendly. He’d ask something and if I didn’t know the answer or stumbled trying to articulate something, he’d interrupt with another question or move forward regardless. He also wasn’t interested in small talk — at all. Like I said, it wasn’t exactly rude… it was just very noticeable and didn’t leave the best impression.
The selection, for how small the store is, is good. All the top shoe brands and styles you could want. A fair amount of shorts/​clothes to browse, as well as a small selection of watches.
All in all, I will go back and would recommend it, as well. They know their stuff, and can get you the right pair of shoes for your feet (based on arch-​type, pronation, etc.). Students get the added bonus of a nice little 10% discount. There’s also lots of great running paraphernalia decorating the walls.